Keystone Magazine Learning the Keystone Way 2015-2016 EN | Page 64

teacher talks
4. Summer allows for exploring universities
and colleges.
While everybody knows Harvard and Stanford, there are more than
2000 colleges and universities in just the United States! Taking time
to research colleges, and then visiting them, can help to make bet-
ter decisions about which colleges to apply for. Seeing the city or
town and walking around the actual campus can help students
to see if this environment is one that truly fits them. Summer is a
good time to see them. Many universities have summer programs
for high school students on their campuses, but be aware that at-
tending such a program gives little or no advantage in the later ap-
plication process to that university.
5. Summer can be a time to develop
leadership.
Here at Keystone we try to set up many different opportunities for
student leadership during the school year, but during the summer
this can happen too. Both inside and outside of China, there are
organizations for youth leadership. Many young people find that
being a camp counselor with younger children is a path to being
more confident in leadership. Check out summer camps in differ-
ent countries, either as a camper or a counselor.
6. Summer can be a time to learn about a
different part of the world.
Family or youth group travel can enrich a young person’s life. Being
reflective about the experience through journaling can double up
on improving English language skills as well as processing respons-
es to the new environment.
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