Show Your Language
So what are these institutions - university summer schools? Most European and American universities hold such sessions in mid-July. They last until mid-September. However, there are variations. Let us make it clear right away: summer schools are not opened so that visiting students can become proficient in foreign languages, although that too, but this task is not, so to speak, the main focus. That is what distinguishes these schools from simple language schools, and that is what makes them valuable: in addition to polishing a foreign language, you can gain knowledge in virtually any area of interest. Examples will follow, no doubt, but let us start with what we have already started with - linguistic exercises and, of course, English ones. Especially since they allow you not only to improve your language skills but also to feel like a British student, which, you must admit, is quite interesting.
You can learn English during the holidays at virtually any university in Britain. It should be noted here that summer school students are equal in 'rights' to university students: they have access to university libraries, language labs and computer classes, and can play sports on the university's sports grounds. But the most important thing is to acquire knowledge under the guidance of the best teachers.
British universities offer a wide selection of language programs. For example, at the University of Edinburgh you can study not only General English, but also Spoken English, Advanced English Use, analysis and translation of medical texts, English for Literary Studies, English for Drama and Literature Discussion, and even a special course for teachers and translators called 'English Today'.
Of course, you will be taught in English as well, so before the main course, which can last from four to six weeks, those who are not on good terms with Byron's language should take a preparatory one-week course. It costs about 500 pounds. You will have to pay approximately the same amount for each week of the main training.
The cost of courses varies among different summer schools - each university has its own appetite.
In the Company of Natives
Do not think that only visitors study at summer schools. Many natives do not shy away from the opportunity to gain knowledge during the holidays. Moreover, from a financial point of view, this activity is beneficial. The fact is that students usually take out a loan for their education, and therefore they strive to start working as soon as possible to pay off their debts. Moreover, in some countries, prolonging studies leads to an increase in tuition fees - that is why particularly thrifty students are in a hurry.
Why are we saying this? To the point that even in a foreign language course (of course, not for beginners) you can make acquaintances not only with visiting people but also with locals. This is useful: you can inquire about all the nuances of studying at the university: well, if you decide to enroll there in a year...
By the way, about 'enrolling'. As you know, to get into a foreign university, our applicants have to spend a lot of time preparing. As it turns out, summer schools can help solve this problem as well. Special summer preparatory courses are available, for example, at such prestigious institutions as the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE, UK) and Harvard (USA). Just pay attention to the specialization. The British school expects future economists and psychologists. The program lasts up to one and a half months and costs from 2,000 pounds, but it allows you to prepare for admission to a prestigious school in a short time. The two-month Harvard summer school works on approximately the same principle. It offers preparation in mathematics and humanities. This pleasure costs $7,000. By the way, many participants of these summer schools manage to prepare and take IELTS or TOEFL with a score appropriate for the occasion: you understand, those who do not have a proper command of English are barred from entering English-language universities.
Since we have mentioned the summer school of the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE), let us dwell on it in more detail. Not for the sake of advertising (this venerable institution does not need advertising), but to demonstrate, using its example, the diversity of disciplines studied during 'summer sessions'.
But first, a bit of history. The summer school at LSE has been operating since 1989 and attracts an increasing number of students every year. Last summer, 2,500 people studied there. Classes are held in the following programs: Accounting and Finance; Economics; Law; Management, International Relations, Government and Society; Business English course.
There is a great multitude of subjects within these programs: from intermediate macroeconomics and introduction to econometrics to the role of the Middle East in world politics and motivation in organizational management.
The programs are divided into levels for professionals, specialists, and those who have no experience in the chosen field. Each program consists of 36 hours of lectures and 12 hours of seminars. During the course, participants take two written exams. All participants of the summer programs receive an LSE certificate indicating the course taken and exam results.
Now about the admission rules, especially since they are similar in most British schools. Students at least 18 years old are admitted to the LSE summer school. To apply, you need to provide: a copy of your diploma or an academic transcript from your educational institution, a copy of the diploma supplement (for those who already have a diploma), an IELTS (6.5) or TOEFL (250) certificate, and a resume.
The cost of a three-week course is 2,000 pounds, a six-week course will cost 3,500 pounds. A preliminary English course "for dummies" costs about 500 pounds. Add to this the price of airfare (from $250), accommodation and meals - from 1,500 to 3,500 pounds (depending on the length of the course) and the cost of medical insurance (80 pounds).
Many British universities also organize summer schools in technical sciences. For example, the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. There you can study English and take an engineering course.
Training at this summer school lasts from one to two months. The course consists of English language classes and the study of engineering disciplines, which includes not only lectures, seminars and practical classes in laboratories, but also visits to enterprises (primarily in the oil and gas industry). The course costs about 1,700 pounds per month. Of course, it cannot be called cheap, but the certificate can serve for foreign students who have studied at home for at least two years in an engineering specialty as a pass to the bachelor's program at the University of Aberdeen.
From the island to the continent
But enough about Great Britain and its summer schools. Especially since the best engineers have always been trained in Germany.
The largest block of lectures on engineering and natural sciences is given at the summer school of the University of Dortmund. Here you will find biological and chemical engineering, mathematics, statistics, electrical engineering, logistics, and enterprise management. By the way, classes in Dortmund are held in both German and English. This option seems optimal for people who are still weak in German but are fascinated by the flight of German technical thought.
In general, many German universities pay attention to learning German within summer schools.
The Aachen University of Technology traditionally hosts the "Aachen Language Summer" in August. A three-week course in Aachen will cost €420, accommodation - €200. Even those who are still very weak in German can come here - a special program will be found for them.
Around the same time, the Ansbach University of Applied Sciences offers an intensive month-long course to prepare for German language tests. It costs €450.
You can study German at the University of Augsburg for just €310 for three weeks. The special feature of this program is that students are divided into three groups depending on their language proficiency.
The courses of summer schools at German universities are not limited to programs for beginners or intermediate learners. Those who would like to become professional translators will be interested in the programs of the summer school at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz. Month-long courses for translators of German, involving training in the highest skill - simultaneous interpretation, cost €590. Accommodation will require €250.
Of course, in summer schools at German universities there is something for everyone, not just language enthusiasts. Political scientists and future public relations specialists can study at the University of Bayreuth. Summer school topics: Germany in the political, scientific and cultural structural scheme, social development of modern Germany, music of Germany, communication models. The last topic includes aspects such as communication models, body language, behavioral stereotypes, conflict management. The average cost of a month's training is €450. Naturally, German can also be studied at this summer school. Three weeks of intensive preparation will cost €400.
And finally, a little exotic, although the summer school of the University of Oslo "with teaching of a number of subjects in Norwegian" can hardly be called exotic. It is rather a touch of a culture still unknown to many.
Classes at this summer school are, of course, conducted in English as well, but the presence in this case of the already mentioned factor of albeit not complete but still "immersion" should inspire those striving to learn the language of Hamsun.
Training at the University of Oslo summer school lasts two weeks. Students are offered a huge selection of programs of all kinds: from medicine to political science and from psychology to journalism.
The school is based on the university campus, located just a ten-minute train ride from Oslo. The base price - 18,500 Norwegian kroner (about $2,900) covers accommodation, meals, registration fee and some additional expenses. The training itself is free. A pleasant surprise - the Norwegian government allocates 50 scholarships to summer school participants, compensating the cost of accommodation.
Upon completion of the summer school, students must take exams or write a final paper.
In conclusion, I would like to say that this review does not claim to be complete. Its task is to indicate the very fact of the existence of little-studied educational opportunities. You will have to analyze, systematize and choose - look at university websites, find out what disciplines and areas are included in their summer school programs. Hurry: there is not much time left: as a rule, applications for summer school should be submitted by the end of April.