Summer Opportunities for Teens!

By Alex Emig (281)

Summer is only five months away. Last summer looked a lot different than any other summer students have experienced before. Although coronavirus has put many restrictions on what students are allowed to do, there are still ways to enjoy a productive summer.

Temple University is offering a Pre-College Workshop which is a summer course available to any high school student. It is designed for students to explore various academic areas. Students can customize the workshop to suit their interests. Topics range from medicine to politics to college readiness to much more. This two-week program costs $845 per session, but financial aid is offered. Visit https://summer.temple.edu/precollegeworkshops for more information. Most colleges offer pre-college programs available to high school students which are a great way to get a feel for the college experience specific to the school.

CIEE offers many summer programs for high school students. If you are interested in a virtual program they are offering a virtual five-week-long French Language & Culture course taught by teachers in France as well as a Spanish Language & Culture course taught by teachers in Spain. Students are eligible to earn three college credits after completing either of these courses. This is the perfect opportunity to experience an immersion program from the comfort of home. If interested in a more hands-on experience, CIEE is still currently offering summer abroad programs like in years past, except now with strict coronavirus restrictions. Trips to Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, and Latin America are currently being offered. All summer abroad programs are four weeks long and students can graduate with up to four college credits when they return. The price of the trip varies around $5000, but it is also easy to apply for financial aid. Visit https://www.ciee.org/ to learn more.

DoSomething is an amazing non-profit organization that is run all year but is an especially great way to spend your summer. Once you have signed up for a free account it is super easy to find a campaign aligned with your interests. There are many virtual volunteer opportunities to sign up for on their site. By signing up students are eligible to receive scholarships and volunteer credits. Visit https://www.dosomething.org/us to find a cause of your interest.