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Presenting the 2014 TeenLife Guide We are so pleased to introduce our first quarterly TeenLife Guide! As you will see, we’ve included a round-up of “the best” of TeenLife’s content and program listings in an easy-to-read format, so you can explore teen enrichment and experiential learning opportunities right from this guide. Each section reflects the core of what we offer parents, students, and educators—everything from summer programs to tutoring and test prep options. Simply click on each listing and it will take you directly to TeenLife.com, where you can request more information from each program or business. Here are some of the editorial highlights—and “must-reads”. If you still need to plan your teen’s summer, it’s not too late! Starting on page 10, we list several hundred program ideas by category to match your teen’s interests. If your teen wants to explore the world, taking a gap year is excellent choice before heading off to college. Read the many benefits of gap year programs featured in The Gap Year Advantage on page 18. STEM education and careers are certainly a hot button today. Our informative article (page 34), Why STEM is Important Now written by TeenLife staffer, Sophie Borden, highlights why it is so crucial for young students to excel at science, technology, engineering and math. Maybe your teen wants to major in the performing or visual arts. What to Consider When Choosing a Performing & Visual Arts School (page 38) gives advice on the audition and portfolio process. Other highlights include the benefits of community service, hiring an independent advisor, tutoring and test prep options, and what to look for when choosing a therapeutic program or school. We hope you find our first TeenLife Guide informative and useful. Please share it with other parents, teenagers, and educators in your school community—and look out for our Summer 2014 issue this June!
Marie Schwartz President & Founder TeenLife Media, LLC
TeenLife | Spring 2014 1
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LIMIT OF LIABILITY
TeenLife Media, LLC (TL) takes no responsibility for any of the descriptions of the various programs listed. TL is not familiar with all of the organizations listed. We edit the descriptions only to achieve a consistent format. TL presents all descriptions without any warranty of any kind, express or implied. TL is not responsible for the accuracy of any description, or for mistakes, errors, or omissions of any kind, and is not responsible for any loss or damage caused by a user’s reliance on the information contained in this guide. All the information contained herein is subject to change without notice, and readers are advised to confirm all information about an organization and obtain references before making any commitments. Trademarks: TeenLife Media, LLC and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of TeenLife and/or its affiliates in the United States and may not be used without written permission.
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Contents SPRING 2014
Summer Programs 4 The Benefits of Engaging Summer Programs for Teens By Jill Tipograph 8 Student Profile: Joshua Nodiff Joshua highlights his experience from participating in the Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL).
Gap Year Programs 18 The Gap Year Advantage: Your Journey Toward Learning, Serving, and Self-Discovery By Kari Haigler and Rae Nelson
21 Student Profile: Alistair Logan Alistair studies international sustainable development while traveling with Raleigh International.
Volunteer Programs 27 Harnessing Passion, Taking Action, Getting Started With Community Service
By Liz Suneby
48 Putting Teens to the Test : A Well-rounded Approach to SAT & ACT Prep
29 Student Profile: Nathan Press Nathan Press shares what he learned by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
High School
By Kimberly Wolf, M.Ed.
Independent Advisors 52 The Benefits of Hiring an Independent Consultant By Sophie Borden
Therapeutic Programs
34 Why STEM is Important Now
56 Making the Most of Your On-Campus Tour: A Checklist for Parents Visiting a Therapeutic Boarding School or Program By Jeff Brain, MA, CTS, CEP,
By Sophie Borden
Colleges & Universitites 38 What to Consider When Choosing a Performing & Visual Arts School
Tutoring & Test Prep
Certified Educational Planner The Family Foundation School
By Jennifer Gross
42 Student Profile: Kelly Eberle Kelly describes why Berklee College of Music is the perfect school for her.
47 Student Profile: Chad Larson Chad profiles his experience working alongside NASA professionals while attending Northwest Nazarene University.
Featured Listings 10 Summer Programs
44 Colleges & Universities
24 Gap Year Programs
51 Tutoring & Test Prep
32 Volunteer Programs
55 Independent Advisors
37 High School
60 Therapeutic Programs TeenLife | Spring 2014 3
Summer Programs
SYA Summer students rafting in the foothills of the Pyrenees in Spain.
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The Benefits of Engaging
SUMMER PROGRAMS for Teens by Jill Tipograph
There are countless advantages for teens that engage in one or more meaningful, well-planned summer programs. Summer is the perfect time for high school students to challenge themselves and their values; master new skills; gain a broader global perspective; volunteer; earn money; and of course, prepare for college and the workplace.
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Learning social responsibility. Summer programs largely devoted to service work foster an increased sense of social responsibility—a global view of society and a heart for helping others. These experiences allow teens to make more informed choices about college and career options as well as instill a lifelong interest in giving back. Most service programs are based in impoverished or rural areas in the U.S. or third world countries. Service in these types of summer programs typically involves physical labor (construction of schools, cleanup, restoration, etc.), teaching and/or working with underprivileged children, caring for animals, or preserving the environment. By engaging in volunteer work, teens have an opportunity to learn experientially. The tasks and responsibilities often expected from the program are unfamiliar and new, but also rewarding. They discover where their passions lie, while undertaking impactful work that can truly make a difference. They often return home with a renewed appreciation for what they do have. Not only are they exposed to diversity and multiculturalism, but these
types of programs also provide the opportunity for teens to apply academic learning from the school year to real human needs during the summer. They may also come away with a sense of “social connectedness” with peers, adults, and other activists sharing a common cause. Paving the path to college. Meaningful summer experiences add significance and uniqueness to a student’s college application. Along with highlighting extracurricular activities, community service, and summer employment, both The Common and Universal Applications ask prospective students to list the summer programs they’ve attended since the ninth grade. Highlighting how their experiences as a whole or how one memorable moment has impacted their future aspirations can make for the perfect, standout college essay. Many programs take place on college campuses, which will prepare your teen for college in so many ways. College is a large diverse community where teens can expand their knowledge—academically, geographically, and socially. Many academic programs offer college credit as well, which will give them a head-start to earning their degree.
Living away from home instantly teaches teens how to fend for themselves. It is amazing how much independence they gain from managing their own money during the summer or just by doing their own laundry! Plus, the mere experience of living with other peers as roommates and sharing common spaces provides your teen with the know-how and skills to communicate and resolve issues by learning to put aside personality and habits. Choosing a major or career. The right summer program can provide students with the opportunity to pursue a passionor explore new interests, whichcan steer a teen towards their future college major or career. In some cases, a summer program can rule out a profession they thought they would like. The right summer program can help your teen become more open-minded, self-aware, independent, prepared for college, and even solidify a career choice. But, don’t forget the fun. No college admissions officer or parent should expect their teen to spend the entire summer break hard at work; there should be plenty of time to enjoy new friendships and memories. TL
Jill Tipograph, founder of Everything Summer, LLC, is a nationally recognized youth expert who guides families worldwide through the summer planning process. Everything Summer aligns its clients’ interests and extracurricular activities to design the right summer experiences, find the best programs, and help teens get a pre-college edge. She is the author of Your Everything Summer® Guide & Planner and has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Forbes, Business Week, and on NBC’s Today Show, ABC News, MSNBC, and more. She also speaks regularly on youth topics at educational institutions, organizations, and corporations.
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Photos provided by: African Leadership Foundation, Cardigan Mountain School, Stoneleigh-Burnham School.
In His Own Words Tell us a little bit about BELL The Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL) was a remarkable experience that certainly changed my life for the better. The program is centered around environmental science, hands-on education, social activism, and community leadership. BELL brought together a diverse group of likeminded students from all over the world that subsequently became a family to me. What made you choose BELL? I have a passion for environmental science and have always wanted to take an active role in making the world a better place while broadening my education. The BELL program, which took place over two weeks at a campsite located off of the Narragansett Bay of Rhode Island, immersed myself and the other campers in an ecosystem where we could conduct experiments firsthand in the local surroundings.
Joshua Nodiff, 16 Joshua became a true environmental activist after participating in the Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL)
What did the program entail? The experiments were focused on a variety of topics ranging from coastal ecology to urban development to ocean acidification. We would conduct experiments in the bay by evaluating the abundance and behavior of local organisms, and were given opportunities to build solar ovens and shower heaters to explore the power of solar energy. We would hike in the woods to educate ourselves on the forest ecology and we would kayak across the bay to observe the coastal ecosystems. We also participated in a series of community building and leadership activities to help us all work together. How have your experiences influenced your aspirations? I left the program as a true environmental activist. The staff helped each of us create a proposal and action plan for how we could establish social change locally once we returned home. We even spent a day on the Brown University campus to conduct our research. I have no doubt that this program helped us all become leaders for our generation, and agents of social change promoting what’s most beneficial for everyone—protecting our environment. What stood out for you the most during the BELL Program? The most important message I walked away with was the idea that our environment is beautiful, yet exhaustible and that it is our responsibility to actively sustain it NOW. I would highly recommend the BELL program. I know for a fact that my experience will assist me in my future as an advocator for a sustainable planet.
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Summer Programs
There’s still time to fill up your teen’s summer. Here are some summer ideas to consider. Academic ACADIA INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY: ADVANCED SESSION FOR COLLEGE CREDIT Seal Harbor, ME ACADIA INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY: ADVANCED PROGRAM Seal Harbor, ME ALFRED UNIVERSITY SUMMER PROGRAMS Alfred, NY BABSON COLLEGE: ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE Babson Park, MA BOSTON LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATH) PROGRAMS Wellesley, MA BOSTON UNIVERSITY SUMMER TERM HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS Boston, MA BOSTON UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL HONORS PROGRAM Boston, MA BOSTON UNIVERSITY: RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Boston, MA BOSTON UNIVERSITY: U-DESIGN SCIENCE PROGRAM Boston, MA BOSTON UNIVERSITY: SUMMER CHALLENGE PROGRAM Boston, MA 10 TeenLife | Spring 2014
BOSTON UNIVERSITY: SUMMER PREVIEW Boston, MA
EMERSON COLLEGE: CREATIVE WRITERS WORKSHOP Boston, MA
BOSTON UNIVERSITY: SUMMERLAB BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM Boston, MA
EMERSON COLLEGE: JOURNALISM AND POLITICAL COMMUNICATION INSTITUTES Boston, MA
BROWN UNIVERSITY PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS Summer 2014: Experience college life, prepare for academic success, and make new friends from around the world in Brown Pre-College Programs, with more than 300 courses to choose from on campus, online, or abroad. Providence, RI BROWN UNIVERSITY SPARK: SUMMER SCIENCE PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS Providence, RI CARLETON COLLEGE SUMMER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Northfield, MN COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY: NIAHD PRE-COLLEGIATE SUMMER PROGRAM IN EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY Williamsburg, VA COLUMBIA SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION: SUMMER JOURNALISM WORKSHOP New York, NY DELAWARE COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS: EXCEL ENRICHMENT Newtown Square, PA
EMERSON COLLEGE: PRE-COLLEGE FILM PRODUCTION Boston, MA EMERSON COLLEGE: PRE-COLLEGE FILM WRITING Boston, MA EMORY UNIVERSITY PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM Atlanta, GA EXPERIENCE AMERICA: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND CAREERS Seattle, WA EXPLORATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN Coral Gables, FL FELICIAN COLLEGE PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAM-THE GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP INSTITUTE Rutherford, NJ H.E.L.P - EXPLORING HEALTH AND MEDICINE Westfield, MA HARVARD UNIVERSITY: SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAM Cambridge, MA
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Summer Programs HUMANITIES SPRING ARCHAEOLOGY BOOT CAMP Italy
PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY SUMMER SCHOOL Exeter, NH
ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE SUMMER ACADEMY, SANTA FE PRE-COLLEGE Santa Fe, NM
HUMANITIES SPRING IN ASSISI Italy
PORTSMOUTH ABBEY’S SUMMER PROGRAM Portsmouth, RI
SUMMER EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AT ELMIRA COLLEGE Elmira , NY
PRE-COLLEGE STUDY AT WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Middletown, CT
SUMMERFUEL New York, NY
HUMANITIES SPRING IN NEW YORK New York, NY i2 CAMP New York, NY i2 CAMP - NEW YORK New York, NY iD PROGRAMMING ACADEMY, ID GAME DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY, AND ID FILM ACADEMY Nationwide JUNIOR STATESMEN SUMMER SCHOOL San Mateo, CA KIDS U Houston, TX LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY SUMMER CAMPS Southfield, MI LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE HEALTH AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES CAMP Annville, PA MINES SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUNG WOMEN Butte, MT MOUNT DESERT ISLAND BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY (MDIBL) Salisbury Cove, ME NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Evanston, IL PHILLIPS ACADEMY: SUMMER SESSION Andover, MA 12 TeenLife | Spring 2014
PURDUE UNIVERSITY: GERI SUMMER RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS West Lafayette, IN RESIDENT ACADEMIC SESSION AT THE HUN SCHOOL OF PRINCETON Princeton, NJ ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSTIY: RWU SUMMER ACADEMY IN ARCHITECTURE Bristol, RI
SUPERCAMP Stanford University, CA SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY SUMMER COLLEGE Syracuse, NY TETON SCIENCE SCHOOLS: SUMMER PROGRAM Jackson, WY THE OXBRIDGE EDGE United Kingdom
ROSS SCHOOL SUMMER TERM @ROSS East Hampton, NY
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM Biddeford, ME
SCIENCE CAMP WATONKA Hawley, PA
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS Rochester, NY
SCIENCE CAMPS OF AMERICA - BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII SUMMER 2014 Pahala, HI SEGL’S SUMMER ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Washington, DC SKIDMORE PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM Saratoga Springs, NY SMITH COLLEGE: SUMMER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PROGRAM (SSEP) Northampton, MA ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE SUMMER ACADEMY, ANNAPOLIS PRE-COLLEGE Annapolis, MD
UNIVERSITY PREP PROGRAM Stamford, CT WAGNER COLLEGE SUMMER PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Staten Island, NY WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY’S HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER EXPERIENCES St. Louis, MO WELLESLEY COLLEGE SUMMER SESSION PRE-COLLEGE Wellesley, MA WESTFIELD CSI Westfield, MA YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR CHALLENGE Boston, MA
Summer Programs Arts ARTS IN ACTION FINE ART SUMMER CAMP New York, NY ARTSBRIDGE SUMMER 2014 Bronxville, NY BROOKS INSTITUTE HIGH SCHOOL WORKSHOP Santa Barara, CA CAP21 SUMMER HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE TRAINING AND COLLEGE AUDITION PREP PROGRAM New York, NY CENTAURI SUMMER ARTS CAMP Canada
COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE PRE-COLLEGE EXPERIENCE Albany, NY DIABLO GLASS SCHOOL Boston, MA EMERSON COLLEGE: MUSICAL THEATRE STUDIO Boston, MA EMERSON COLLEGE: PRE-COLLEGE ACTING STUDIO Boston, MA EMERSON COLLEGE: PRE-COLLEGE FILMMAKERS STUDIO Boston, MA EMERSON COLLEGE: PRE-COLLEGE STAGE DESIGN STUDIO Boston, MA
FRENCH WOODS FESTIVAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS Hancock, NY iD VISUAL ARTS ACADEMY HELD AT NYU New York, NY iD VISUAL ARTS ACADEMY HELD AT UC BERKELEY Berkeley, CA iD VISUAL ARTS ACADEMY HELD AT YALE New Haven, CT MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART PRE-COLLEGE STUDIO Baltimore, MD METROPOLIS SCHOOL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS Arlington Heights, IL
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Summer Programs MINNEAPOLIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER SESSION Minneapolis, MN NYCDA: SUMMER ACTING TRAINING PROGRAM New York, NY OMEGA TEEN CAMP Holmes, NY OXBOW SUMMER ART CAMP Napa, CA POWERHOUSE THEATER TRAINING PROGRAM AT VASSAR COLLEGE Poughkeepsie, NY RUTGERS SUMMER MUSIC, DANCE & ART CAMPS New Brunswick, NJ SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM SUMMER INSTITUTE Chicago, IL SNOW FARM SUMMER: THE NEW ENGLAND CRAFT PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Williamsburg, MA THE BOSTON CONSERVATORY SUMMER INTENSIVES Boston, MA THE PUTNEY SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS Putney, VT URBANFRAME - SUMMER ARCHITECTURE AT MIT FOR TEENS Sudbury, MA
Community Service AMIGOS DE LAS AMERICAS (AMIGOS) Houston, TX
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ASPIRE BY API: COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS IN COSTA RICA, CHINA, ECUADOR, AND SOUTHEAST ASIA (CAMBODIA & THAILAND) Austin, TX EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING - CHILE Chile EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING - COMMUNITY SERVICE Brattleboro, VT VISIONS ALASKA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Tetlin Vilage , AK VISIONS BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM British Virgin Islands VISIONS CAMBODIA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Cambodia VISIONS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Dominican Republic VISIONS ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Ecuador VISIONS GHANA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Ghana VISIONS GUADELOUPE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Guadeloupe VISIONS MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Gulfport, MS VISIONS MONTANA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Bozeman, MT VISIONS NICARAGUA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Nicaragua
VISIONS PERU COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Peru VISIONS SERVICE ADVENTURES Bozeman, MT
Computers and Technology EXPERIENCE AMERICA: THE GAME EXPERIENCE Seattle, WA iD TECH CAMPS - HELD AT UNIVERSITIES NATIONWIDE National SUMMER ACADEMY IN APPLIED SCIENCE & TECH Philadelphia, PA
Internships and Work Experience INTERNSHIP CONNECTION PROGRAM Newton, MA
Language BOSTON LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: MANDARIN CHINESE Chestnut Hill, MA CESA LANGUAGES ABROAD United Kingdom HUMANITIES SPRING KIDS Italy LATIN ALIVE! West Roxbury, MA LAWRENCE ACADEMY SUMMER PROGRAMS: LANGUAGE IMMERSION Groton, MA
Summer Programs SINO LANGUAGE: CHINESE LANGUAGE & CULTURE IMMERSION China
LEADERS FOR LIFE INTL. AT HAMILTON COLLEGE AND ESTES PARK CO Clinton, NY
SOL ABROAD HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS Austin, Texas
PEOPLE TO PEOPLE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION HARVARD Spokane, WA
Leadership Training
VALLEY FORGE MILITARY ACADEMY CAMP Wayne, PA
GLOBAL YOUTH VILLAGE Bedford, VA HIGH MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE: SUMMER TERM Leadville, CO INWARD BOUND MINDFULNESS EDUCATION Florence, MA
Special Interests BEAVER SUMMER PROGRAMS: BOSTON CHILDREN’S CIRCUS Chestnut Hill, MA SCHOOL OF FASHION DESIGN: HIGH SCHOOL PREP PROGRAM Boston, MA
SUSTAINABLE SUMMER: ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS IN COSTA RICA, ECUADOR AND THE GALAPAGOS Brooklyn, NY
Sports BONNIE CASTLE RIDING CAMP Greenfield, MA F1 BOSTON 2013 SUMMER JUNIOR NOVICE CAMPS Braintree, MA STRIVE TRIPS - SERVICE TRIPS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES Kenya TOUR ACADEMY JUNIOR GOLF CAMPS Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Students with Travel for Teens visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris. See listing on page 17.
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Summer Programs
Students have the opportunity to explore campus and earn college credit with Washington University’s High School Summer Experiences. See listing on page 12.
Traditional/CIT
Travel/Culture
CAMP FRIENDSHIP Palmyra, VA
AFRICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GLOBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM South Africa
GREEN RIVER PRESERVE Cedar Mountain, North Carolina
MEADOWBROOK SUMMER PROGRAMS: TEEN TRIPPING PROGRAM Weston, MA YMCA CAMP BURGESS FOR BOYS Sandwich, MA YMCA CAMP LAKEWOOD Potosi, MO
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AIFS SUMMER ADVANTAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM Stamford, CT ASPIRE BY API: SUMMER PROGRAMS IN ARGENTINA, CHINA, COSTA RICA, ECUADOR, ENGLAND, FRANCE, IRELAND, ITALY, SPAIN, & ASIA Austin, TX ATLAS WORKSHOPS Cambridge, MA
BEAVER SUMMER PROGRAMS: PEAK AND PADDLE Chestnut Hill, MA COTTONWOOD GULCH WILDERNESS EXPEDITIONS Albuquerque, NM COTTONWOOD GULCH: ART AND MUSIC TREK Thoreau, NM CSA BUDGET STUDY ABROAD LOW COST PROGRAMS Kent, WA EARTHCONNECT: CHILL EXPEDITIONS/COSTA RICAN ADVENTURES Ardmore, PA
Summer Programs EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING - ARGENTINA Argentina EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING - FRANCE France EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING - SPAIN Spain KUCHANGA TRAVEL - UGANDA, TANZANIA, KENYA, ZIMBABWE, SOUTH AFRICA, ZAMBIA Minneapolis, MN RAINBOW VOLUNTOURS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & TRAVEL PROGRAMS IN INDIA: TEACHING India
SPI HIGH SCHOOL FOREIGN EXCHANGE PROGRAMS IN SPAIN, FRANCE, ITALY, COSTA RICA, AND CHINA Austin, TX SPI HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER ABROAD PROGRAMS IN SPAIN, FRANCE, ITALY, COSTA RICA, AND CHINA Austin, TX SUMMER SESSION AT CARDIGAN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Canaan, NH THE EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING Brattleboro, VT TRAVEL FOR TEENS Wayne, PA
TRAVEL FOR TEENS: CLASSIC ITALY Wayne, PA TRAVEL FOR TEENS: PARIS AND THE SOUTH OF FRANCE Wayne, PA UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS Irving, TX UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS Rochester, NY YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING (YFU) Bethesda, MD
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Gap Year Programs
A student trekking in New Zealand finds his gap year program through Taylor the Gap. See ad on page 23, listing on page 55.
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THE GAP YEAR ADVANTAGE:
Your Journey Toward Learning, Serving, and Self-Discovery by Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson
Taking a gap year is a growing trend in the United States. Although there is no formal data on how many young people are taking a structured break before or during college, the rising number of gap year programs, gap year fairs, and college deferrals point to more students choosing the road less traveled.
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A student traveling with LeapNow speaks to a Sadhu in India. See listing page 25.
As gap year parents, researchers, and authors, we have spoken with hundreds of parents, students, college counselors, and other stakeholders about gap year experiences. The overwhelming consensus is that the impact is transformational in the most positive way. To explore this growing trend in greater depth, we surveyed 300 gap year alums about the impact of their time off. We asked about areas such as education, financial awareness, careers, community service, and global citizenship.
“I mark myself in terms of my gap year; the before, during, and after are rather different people. My gap year works as a foundation for my life away from home, away from high school. It helped prepare me for college life as well as the real world.” MEGAN KELLY 20 TeenLife | Spring 2014
What is a gap year? A gap year is a journey, usually taken between high school and college, that involves some sort of a plan, vision, and purpose. It is a chance for a student to invest time before or during college to pursue a series of life experiences. It can take place over several months, a year, or in some cases longer, and generally involves a combination of volunteering, working/interning, and studying in the U.S. or abroad. The gap year involves exploring the world outside of your “comfort zone” to not only learn about different cultures but also learn about yourself from a different perspective, with the intent to enter or return to higher education. Why take a gap year? The reasons students take a gap year vary from individual to individual. However, our data indicate that there are two top reasons for taking time off: (1) students feel a
need to take a break from formal education (they are burned out), and (2) they want to learn more about themselves. Other reasons students take a gap year are to help pay for college, develop skills, explore a potential career path, learn more about the world, or travel. Some want to (re) gain focus, direction, or motivation to make the most out of college once they decide to go, or go back. What can you do during a gap year? As you can see from TeenLife’s Guide to Gap Year Programs, the options for what you can do during a gap year are limitless! The students we talked to enjoyed experiences almost as different as the individuals themselves. They taught classes, helped build houses, worked or interned in a variety of occupations, participated in scientific research, served on ships, apprenticed in masonry, studied languages, participated in the arts, worked with animals, helped in medical facilities, participated in outdoor exploration, played sports, built
In His Own Words Why did you decide to participate in a gap year program? I was interested in a career in international development and I wanted to use my gap year to volunteer in the field. I also wanted the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures. Traveling on a gap year with Raleigh International seemed perfect for me. How did you research gap year programs and decide on which one to do? My aunt had previously volunteered on a Raleigh International expedition, but I also did my own research online. Raleigh International is a sustainable development charity. Their programmes focus on providing access to safe water and sanitation. I started reading their blog. I could tell that their volunteers were truly making an impact. I also liked the fact that Raleigh International offers three different expedition phases; community, environment, and adventure as part of their programmes. Not only can you participate in community and environmental projects, but there is also an adventure travel phase, too, that really appealed to me.
Alistair Logan, 23 London student, Alistair Logan worked to improve the sustainable living conditions in two small communities in India.
What did you do on your gap year? I volunteered on a ten-week expedition to India. Whilst there, I took part in all three of the expedition phases. The community project was my favourite. We lived and worked alongside a rural community in southern India. Our team helped construct bio-gas units to provide the village with sustainable cooking gas. A few homes already had bio-gas units that were being used regularly, so I knew that the sustainable development project was working. I felt proud to contribute to something that the village wanted and needed. I enjoyed my first expedition so much that I decided to do another expedition in Borneo. With my previous experience as a Raleigh International volunteer, I was able to become one of their Volunteer Logistics Coordinators. Each logistics team is responsible for ensuring that we have the necessary supplies and equipment to carry out the projects. What was the most memorable part of your gap year? The most memorable part was definitely the opening ceremony unveiling the new gravity fed water system in the village of Kg. Sungai Magandai in Borneo. It is an extremely remote community that is seven hours from the nearest main road. It was very emotional to see how excited the entire community and all of the school children were about the new water system.
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guitars, and traveled in the United States or overseas. As one gap alum explained, “If you can dream it, you can do it!” What do colleges think of gap years? In the words of a college admissions officer we interviewed, “I don’t know of a college that wouldn’t welcome a student who took a thought-out gap year because of the value they bring to the community.” Harvard has recommended gap years for several decades. MIT, Middlebury, Princeton, the University of Carolina, and Yale are among a growing list of colleges and universities that support gap year options. Greg Buckles, Dean of Admissions at Middlebury College, writes on the college’s website, “Middlebury has been at the forefront of endorsing the concept of taking time off between high school and college. These students bring more to their college experience and, as a result, derive more from it. They also hold a disproportionately high number of leadership positions on campus and, on average, perform better academically. Many benefit greatly from the opportunity to travel, work, or pursue other interests, and all of those options can help contribute to an even more enriching college experience.”
setting them on a different path than before a gap year or confirming their direction. “My year abroad was one fourth the price of a year in college and three times the education in life.” ALLYSON MOYNIHAN
What is the impact of taking a gap year for students? Anecdotally, gap students report multiple benefits of their time off including gaining confidence, a strong sense of personal responsibility, heightened resilience, and a level of maturity about learning, work, the world—and themselves. Here are a few highlights from our survey and related interviews about the impact of taking a gap year. Education. Yes, parents! Gap students do go or return to college. In our survey, 90 percent had returned within a year and 80 percent had returned within 6 months. They report a (re)ignited passion for learning and the ability to connect formal education with real-world experiences. Several colleges have tracked the grades of gap alums versus their peers and report that the former group tends to have higher GPAs. For most students (60 percent in our survey), gap year experiences have an impact on their choice of academic major and career—either
Financial Awareness. A benefit for many “gappers” is learning to value money and to budget at an earlier age than most. In the survey, 66 percent said they were more financially aware than their peers after a gap experience. The majority also said they were less likely than their peers to accept credit cards and other “free” offers. When their experiences include living in areas where people are relatively less fortunate, gap alums gain appreciation of the ability to earn and save financially. Careers and Jobs. Gap year students tend to develop employable skills through their experiences—e.g., leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork. Many report that their time away from school gives them a leg up with employers when applying for internships and jobs. Of those in the survey who were employed, 85 percent said that they are satisfied with their jobs (a higher percentage than others in their age group). And their primary sources of job satisfaction are “personal growth and development” (71 percent) and the ability to help others (67 percent) over items such as job status (22 percent) or financial security (21 percent) that their peers tend to value.
Photos provided by: The Island School, Art History Abroad, and Youth for Understanding.
22 TeenLife | Spring 2014
Community Service. Many gap year students choose to include volunteering and community service as part of their time off. In our survey, volunteering gappers rated the statement “Provided me with the opportunity to serve others or make a contribution to a cause” third out of a list of seven options related to the impact of taking a gap year. Non-volunteers ranked the item second to last. The percentage of students taking a gap year who volunteered who report that their job satisfaction is derived from “helping others” is significantly higher than the non-volunteer group (although both groups ranked helping others high compared to their non-gap peers).
Global Citizenship. Of the gap year participants we surveyed, 69 percent volunteered, studied, worked or interned, and/or traveled abroad. More than 80 percent saw themselves as more globally aware as a result of their gap year. Gap alums report that benefits include gaining an indepth awareness of how people live in other cultures, developing a moral sensibility that transcends borders, understanding cultural interconnectedness and the impact of globalization, seeing one’s own country from the perspective of others, and discovering what we have in common with other countries, regardless of culture.
“I would say the most valuable part [of my gap year] was the time when I wasn’t a tourist, where I was living in this culture, living with this family who completely accepted me, and completely took me under their roof.” BEN EWING
When we asked students and parents for their advice to others who may be considering a gap year, the general response is: If you are even thinking about it, do it—it will likely change your life in positive ways that you can’t even imagine! As one student said: “Go. Do. Be.” TL
Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson are authors of Gap Year, American Style: Journeys Toward Learning, Serving, and Self-Discovery (HEII, 2013) and The Gap-Year Advantage: Helping Your Child Benefit from Time Off Before or During College (St. Martin’s Press, 2005).
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Gap Year Programs
Taking a gap year is an excellent way to explore the world and prepare for college. Here are some gap year programs to consider.
Academic AMERICAN UNIVERSITY GAP PROGRAM Washington D.C. CSA BUDGET STUDY ABROAD LOW COST PROGRAMS Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, United States CESA LANGUAGES ABROAD Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America CONDENSED CURRICULUM INTERNATIONAL Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, United States IPSL STUDY ABROAD AND SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAMS Europe, Latin America, Middle East
YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East
Adventure/Trips NORTH CAROLINA OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL Latin America, United States REAL GAP EXPERIENCE Africa, Asia, Europe
Arts HELLENIC INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN THE ARTS Europe THE AEGEAN CENTER FOR THE FINE ARTS Europe
OXFORD ADVANCED STUDIES PROGRAM (OASP) Oxford, England
UP WITH PEOPLE Asia, Europe, Latin America
SEA|MESTER Asia, Australia, Europe
Community Service
SOL ABROAD HIGH SCHOOL & GAP YEAR PROGRAMS Europe, Latin America ST. NORBERT COLLEGE GAP EXPERIENCE Canada, Caribbean, United States YOUNG JUDAEA YEAR COURSE IN ISRAEL Middle East
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AMERICORPS NCCC United States CIEE: GAP YEAR ABROAD Asia, Europe, Latin America COMMUNITY WATER SOLUTIONS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Africa
GAPFORCE Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America
GLOBAL ROUTES Africa, Europe, Latin America KUCHANGA TRAVEL Africa PROJECTS ABROAD Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America RALEIGH INTERNATIONAL Africa, Asia, Latin America
Environmental Conservation AFRICAN CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE Africa VOLUNTEER IN FIJI CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY PROJECTS Asia, Australia INNERPATHWORKS United States THE ISLAND SCHOOL/CAPE ELEUTHERA INSTITUTE GAP YEAR Caribbean THE PIONEER PROJECT Brasstown, NC
Gap Year Programs Internships and Work Experience FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Africa, Asia, Latin America INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS IN AMAZING LOCATIONS Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America INTERNSHIP CONNECTION GAP YEAR PROGRAM United States VISITOZ: WORK IN AUSTRALIA Australia
ASPIRE BY API: GAP YEAR PROGRAMS IN ARGENTINA, FRANCE, IRELAND, ITALY, AND SPAIN Europe, Latin America GREENHEART TRAVEL Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America LEAPNOW: TRANSFORMING EDUCATION Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, United States RAINBOW VOLUNTOURS : COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & TRAVEL PROGRAMS IN INDIA Asia
I-TO-I VOLUNTEERING Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America OUTBACK WORK AND TRAVEL AUSTRALIA Australia TRAVELLERS WORLDWIDE Africa, Australia, Latin America VOLUNTEERING SOLUTIONS Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East WHERE THERE BE DRAGONS Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East
Postgraduate Year HEBRON ACADEMY POSTGRADUATE YEAR Hebron, ME VALLEY FORGE MILITARY ACADEMY POSTGRADUATE YEAR Wayne, PA THE ACADEMY AT WATKINSON SCHOOL: POSTGRADUATE YEAR PROGRAM Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, United States
Travel/Culture ANDEO INTERNATIONAL HOMESTAYS Asia, Europe, Latin America ART HISTORY ABROAD Europe ASPIRE BY API GAP YEAR PROGRAM AT JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY IN ROME Europe
Rainbow Voluntours students on a jungle ride in Kerala. See listing this page.
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Volunteer Programs
Teen volunteers sell fresh produce at a famer’s market.
26 TeenLife | Spring Summer 2014 Programs
Harnessing Passion, Taking Action: Getting Started with
COMMUNITY SERVICE by Liz Suneby
When you reach out to your community, you’re not just making a difference for others. Community service projects have huge benefits for volunteers themselves. A good volunteer experience can lead to increased self-esteem, the development of valuable new skills, and a lifetime of memories.
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Teen volunteers with A Kids’ Brain Tumor Cure, PLGA Foundation. See listing on page 33.
Help Out: Whether you choose to focus on people, animals, or the environment, there are countless ways to make a difference. Below, you’ll see the variety of roles volunteers can play at non-profits. Organizations and their beneficiaries truly value the work of teens. Get Started Down Your Career Path: Service gives you the chance to develop your leadership, communications, and interpersonal skills, as well as an overall sense of accomplishment. It broadens your worldview and even has the potential to introduce you to career choices. Feel Better: As a busy student, it is easy to obsess about the very real pressures you face. But seeing firsthand the challenges others face and the ways people overcome their challenges provides valuable perspective for your own life. A new perspective can also help you stress less.
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Stand Out to College Admissions Officers: In-depth service experiences make you a more multidimensional and interesting person and, consequently, a stronger candidate for acceptance. College admissions officers see through superficial involvement, so discover your philanthropic priorities and pursue them with passion. GETTING STARTED BY IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES You can single-handedly improve the lives of others. Consider the impact of helping an elderly neighbor who no longer can handle yard work, go grocery shopping, or do the laundry. Think of ways you could brighten the days of children in the hospital by making cards, doing craft kits, or providing upbeat playlists. What impact could you have by providing essentials to families in need by donating books, school supplies, and clothing to a local shelter? How
might you contribute to a team of people working to save animals from extinction, curing genetic diseases, or ensuring access to clean water? TeenLife has identified these categories of volunteer work: Advocacy for a Cause Animal Rights & Rescue Aging with Dignity Community Resources Cultural Organizations Health & Well-Being Homelessness & Hunger International Relief People With Disabilities Preserving the Environment Promoting Volunteerism Youth Not sure what you want to do? Think about your talents and interests . Connecting your passions to fixing problems in the world will lead you to ideas in the short term, and maybe even a lifelong commitment to social justice and service to others.
In His Own Words Tell us about your involvement with Habitat for Humanity. Since I began high school at The Dalton School in Manhattan, I have been involved in Dalton’s Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter. The Chapter is an official (but autonomous) organization under Habitat for Humanity International’s youth service programs, and is partnered and overseen by the Habitat-NYC local affiliate. Although I discovered Habitat and the Chapter as a (rather timid) freshman, throughout the last two years I have become involved in the leadership and organizational structure of the Chapter, and this year am serving as Vice President. In addition, over the summer of 2012, I secured an internship at Habitat-NYC, where I worked on school-related projects, Habitat-NYC projects, and inter-school initiatives. Tell us a little bit about the program and its mission. But at the end of the day, the genuine and fundamental goal of revitalizing neighborhoods by alleviating substandard housing—one nail, floorboard and drywall panel at a time—is held at the heart of Habitat for Humanity’s work.
Nathan Press Nathan Press on site in Boston with his high school’s Habitat for Humanity chapter.
What types of projects have you worked on? Over the course of the last couple years, I have individually organized and participated in many projects ranging from building to outreach. One of the Chapter’s primary goals during the second semester last year became expanding Habitat’s mission into other New York-area high schools. During the semester, I helped lead a couple Dalton Chapter delegations to schools like Collegiate, Trinity, and Monsignor Farrell (in Staten Island) with an eye on laying the foundation for an organizationally developed official Campus Chapter. Partly as a result of this outreach work, all three of these schools now have Habitat clubs, and will soon move into the chapter establishment process with Habitat International. How has volunteering shaped your future goals in school and life moving forward? Most directly, my work with Habitat has made me want to continue and incorporate my service—with both Habitat and through other initiatives—into college and my career. I can’t say that heading into high school I had a strong or organized sense of how I might want to pursue community service later in my life, but now I have a concrete goal and conviction to incorporate active fundraising and volunteering into whatever career path I take.
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Think about favorite academic subjects, after-school activities, or issues that you care deeply about. Is reading the way you like to relax? Is speaking Spanish how you like to converse? Does hiking bring you joy? What about making movies on your laptop? Are you happiest when you are playing the piano? Or kicking a soccer ball? Do you have a grandparent with Alzheimer’s disease? A friend with type 1 diabetes? Do you know someone serving overseas in the military? DECIDING HOW YOU WANT TO SPEND YOUR TIME Once you’ve picked your cause, think about how you want to spend your time. Try to devote AT LEAST 10 hours of your time to one organization to have more impact. Consider opportunities right at your school, in
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your community, and/or a summer service opportunity. Participate in Outreach: Depending on the opportunity, you can go alone, with a friend, as a group, or with a parent or other grown-up. You can work directly with the individuals the non-profit serves, help with administrative duties in the office, clean up or paint, or assist at special events. Collect Goods for Donation: What do you have that you don’t need anymore, but someone else could use? You can donate your own stuff, or think about broadening your reach by collecting items from friends, neighbors, even stores to distribute to others in need. Raise Funds: There are multiple ways to raise money for non-profits.
You can donate your own money, organize a community fundraiser, or participate in a charity run/walk/ readathon and raise money through sponsorships. Lend Your Social Media Skills: Do you already spend hours a day on social networks like Facebook and Tumblr? Non-profits often need help spreading the word about their causes. If you think you could or want to be of help in this area, let volunteer coordinators know! It could turn into a “remote” volunteer position that would allow you to help change the world from the comfort of your own home! PLANNING YOUR COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK Identify Organizations to Support: How can you find
Volunteers from around New York come together to plant trees.
national or local organizations that could benefit from your involvement? Start your research right here with the organizations listed in TeenLife’s Guide. Also, speak to as many people as possible about organizations that they know of or are involved with that fit your interests, including your:
• Guidance counselor • Teachers • Parents and other relatives • Neighbors • Clergy and lay leaders at your house of worship • Friends
Clarify Community Service Graduation Requirements: Be sure you are aware of all parameters, including:
• Number of hours per year or in total • Approved activities • Approved organizations • Forms, signatures, and deadlines for submission
Create a Plan: Once you have ideas for what you’d like to do and potential organizations you would like to help, draft an action plan to organize your thinking. Include:
• A succinct overview of the service project • Objectives/goals • Names and contact information for people you will need to work with • Required materials and approximate costs • Schedule, noting key milestones and dates • Success measurements, including how others and you will benefit
There you have it! Volunteering doesn’t have to be boring work you do just to satisfy graduation requirements or college admissions officers. Volunteering is about doing what’s best for the community and yourself at the same time, putting your passions to work, making a difference, and keeping track of it all. You can make it happen! TL
Come Up with the Best Service Ideas! Whether you have no idea how to be of service or you want to narrow down a list of opportunities to pursue, starting with your own passions and interests can lead you to the right project. As you begin to brainstorm, consider some of theVoluntours Rainbow students on a jungle following areas: ride in Kerala.
Favorite school subjects: Math, art, biology, chemistry, environmental science, history, foreign languages, English… Extracurricular interests: Acting, ceramics, band, chorus, dance, team or individual sports, student government, babysitting… Hobbies/passions: Animals, biking, cooking, travel, crafts, camping, computers/electronics, gardening, movies, photography, yoga… Universal issues: Education for girls, clean water, global warming, adoption, bullying, eating disorders, depression, domestic violence…
Liz Suneby is the author of books for children and teens, including The Mitzvah Project Book: Making Mitzvah Part of Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah…and Your Life, published by Jewish Lights, and the Children’s Choice award-winning, See What You Can Be: Explore Careers That Could Be For You. TeenLife | Spring 2014 31
Volunteer Programs
Start giving back by volunteering with one of theses national organizations actively looking for teen volunteers.
9/11 DAY Minimum Age: 12 A.S.P.C.A. Minimum Age: 16
BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER FOUNDATION Minimum Age: 12
COVENANT HOUSE Minimum Age: 12
CAREPACKS Minimum Age: 18
COVENANT HOUSE SLEEP OUT: STUDENT EDITION Minimum Age: 12
CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS Minimum Age: 12
CRUTCHES 4 KIDS Minimum Age: 12
CHILDREN’S SURVIVAL NETWORK Minimum Age: 13
CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION Minimum Age: 14
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY Minimum Age: 13
CITY YEAR Minimum Age: 17
DOSOMETHING.ORG Minimum Age: 12
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE Minimum Age: 13
COMFORT ZONE CAMP VOLUNTEERS Minimum Age: 15
FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS Minimum Age: 12
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION Minimum Age: 16 AMERICA SCORES NEW ENGLAND, INC. Minimum Age: 15
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION Minimum Age: 15 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Minimum Age: 13 AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION Minimum Age: 16 AMERICAN RED CROSS Minimum Age: 14 ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION Minimum Age: 16 ASTHMA ALLERGY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA Minimum Age: 14 AUDUBON SOCIETY Minimum Age: 15 BEST BUDDIES Minimum Age: 13 32 TeenLife | Spring 2014
Teens volunteering with the Melanoma Foundation. See listing on page 33.
Volunteer Programs GIRLS LEARN INTERNATIONALEAST COAST OFFICE Minimum Age: 13
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS Minimum Age: 14
GIVINGPOINT Minimum Age: 13
NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY Minimum Age: 13
GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY Minimum Age: 13 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Minimum Age: 16 HEIFER INTERNATIONAL Minimum Age: 12 INVISIBLE CHILDREN Minimum Age: 18 JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION (JDRF) Minimum Age: 13 KABOOM! Minimum Age: 16 KIDS IN DISTRESSED SITUATIONS (K.I.D.S) Minimum Age: 12 MEALS ON WHEELS Minimum Age: 14 MELANOMA EDUCATION FOUNDATION Minimum Age: 16 MICROFINANCE: FONKOZE, ACCION, WAM & ZAWADI Minimum Age: 16 MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Minimum Age: 12 MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION Minimum Age: 13 MY SMILE MATTERS YOUTH MOVEMENT ~ COMMUNITY EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES Minimum Age: 12
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Minimum Age: 15 NEW ENGLAND BAPTIST HOSPITAL Minimum Age: 16 NICODEMUS WILDERNESS PROJECT Minimum Age: 12 NVEEE | NATIONAL VOICES FOR EQUALITY, EDUCATION... Minimum Age: 12 OUTREACH PROGRAM Minimum Age: 12 PAAJAF FOUNDATION Minimum Age: 13 PLGA FOUNDATION/A KIDS BRAIN TUMOR CURE Minimum Age: 16 PUZZLES TO REMEMBER Minimum Age: 12 RAINN Minimum Age: 18 REACH BEYOND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Minimum Age: 16 REACH OUT AND READ Minimum Age: 16 RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES Minimum Age: 16 ROOTS & SHOOTS Minimum Age: 14
SALVATION ARMY Minimum Age: 16 SPECIAL OLYMPICS Minimum Age: 12 STRONG WOMEN, STRONG GIRLS Minimum Age: 14 SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE Minimum Age: 16 TANGLEWOOD 4H CAMP AND LEARNING CENTER Minimum Age: 17 THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES Minimum Age: 12 THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY Minimum Age: 13 THE NICODEMUS WILDERNESS PROJECT: APPRENTICE ECOLOGIST INITIATIVE-DALLAS Minimum Age: 12 THE VALIDATION PROJECT Minimum Age: 12 UNITED WAY Minimum Age: 16 WOOL FOR WORTHY CAUSES Minimum Age: 13 WORLD CARES CENTER Minimum Age: 16 WORLD COMPUTER EXCHANGE Minimum Age: 12 WORLD CONNECT Minimum Age: 12 WWW.ONGIANTSSHOULDERS.ORG Minimum Age: 14 YMCA Minimum Age: 14
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High School
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Why STEM Is Important NOW by Sophie Borden
The U.S. Government is making STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education a national priority. President Obama and the Department of Education have detailed the issues of STEM education, and have concrete goals and actions in place to fix these problems. The lack of STEM education in our country, proven by numbers, figures and data, has led to tangible initiatives to improve these areas of study. And in this country, political initiatives are backed by one very important factor: Money. Although education policy and budgeting isn’t the most interesting news to look out for, it is time to start paying attention.
Dordt College students conducting agricultural research. See listing page 44. TeenLife | Spring 2014 35
Many high school and college students these days know that STEM careers are often the most successful and highest paid (doctors, engineers, scientists, etc.). In fact, in 2009 the average annual wage for STEM occupations was $77,880, compared to the U.S. average of $43,460 for nonSTEM occupations (STEM Education Coalition). Yet, the US Department of Education notes that only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in math and interested in a STEM career. According to the 2012 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) Survey, the United States was outperformed by 29 other nations in math and 22 nations in science (NPR). These results are slightly unsettling, and do not represent America’s intellectual potential. Although America has always understood the importance of STEM, now, more than ever, is the time to take
Student attending a summer program with iD Tech Camps. See listings on page 13 & 14.
PROJECTED PERCENTAGE INCREASES IN STEM JOBS: 2010-2020
I. STEM Innovation Networks ($150 Million) These networks will consist of school districts, colleges, and regional partners to improve STEM education in their communities by training future STEM teachers and supporting STEM education and educators. Large online communities of STEM educators will also be formed, designed to promote the changes in STEM education strategies. II. STEM Teacher Pathways ($80 Million) This program will provide competitive awards to high quality programs that recruit and train STEM educators. 3. STEM Master Teacher Corps ($35 Million) This program calls on the country’s best scientists and mathematics teachers to improve STEM education. A membership of STEM educators will be formed in order for them to serve as leaders in the STEM initiative in their schools and communities.
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Projected Percentage in Job Increase (2010-2020)
Department of Education STEM Initiatives: 80
62% 60
40
20
32% 14%
16%
36%
22%
0 Mathematics All Occupations
Computer Systems Analysts
Systems Software Developers
Medical Scientists
SOURCES www.ed.gov/stem www.stemedcoalition.org
www.npr.org/blogs www.whitehouse.gov
Biomedical Engineers
High School
Teenagers with a wide range of high school opportunities and outside-the-classroom experiences perform better in school, the college admissions process, and beyond. Here are some quality high schools and programs to consider. Boarding Schools
Day & Boarding School
CITYTERM AT THE MASTERS SCHOOL Dobbs Ferry, NY
VALLEY FORGE MILITARY ACADEMY Wayne, PA
CONSERVE SCHOOL Land O’ Lakes, WI
Classes & Instruction
Day Schools BRITISH SCHOOL OF BOSTON Boston, MA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BOSTON Cambridge, MA
Health & Medical Services HOLISTIC HEALTH & TEEN MENTORING PROGRAM Avon, CT
STEM Education
BOSTON CITY SINGERS Dorchester, MA
NONAMESITE.COM BY TOPCODER Online
BUILD-IT-YOURSELF ART & ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Cambridge, MA
K12LAB BY NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS Online
SONOMA ACADEMY Santa Rosa, CA
advantage of the various opportunities in our nation’s schools. The government has invested a great deal of policy and budgeting to STEM education, and you should as well. A focus on STEM in education will be better for this generation of teens, making them more employable and competitive in the global economy (see graph next page), and ultimately, make the U.S. a contender again in global education. As the President puts it, “Leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students today−especially in science, technology, engineering and math” (U.S. Department of Education). Of course, some children are better at math and science than others. It is
also expected that these initiatives will not inspire all middle school students to become chemists or engineers— we will still have a myriad of writers, artists, and historians in our country. While the STEM education programs seek to guide more and more young students into STEM careers, the ultimate goal is to simply make American students more proficient at math and science, so they are closer to the global average. The math scores of Shanghai students from the PISA Survey showed that they are “The equivalent of over two years of formal schooling ahead of those observed in Massachusetts, itself a strong-performing U.S. state” (NPR). The United States cannot continue to fall so far behind other industrialized countries—an
increase in early STEM education should put American students in the race to the top. The government is doing its part to improve education—they’re investing in teachers, school training, and hands-on learning. Parents can make a difference in how their middle and high school students learn by encouraging them to do their math homework, getting a science tutor if necessary, and trying to devote as much time as possible to facilitate knowledge of STEM. Because parents, more than anyone, want their child to succeed and play a major role in our country’s future. STEM education could be the most important step. TL TeenLife | Spring 2014 37
Colleges & Universities
Columbia College Chicago students showcase their strength and flexibility through contemporary dance. Photography by Andreas Larsson. See listing page 44.
38 TeenLife | Spring 2014
What to Consider When Choosing a
PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTS SCHOOL by Jennifer Gross
Whether you want to dance, draw, build, sing, design, or direct, finding the perfect performing and visual arts college can be a challenge. Students who wish to study visual or performing arts face some unique challenges during their college search. The type of college, application process, and school philosophy are just a few of the important things to consider.
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Universtiy of Redlands student performing in the Classical Guitar Ensemble Recital. See listing page 44.
A DIFFERENCE OF DEGREE Prospective arts majors have two degree options: the first, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a major in the arts; the second, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) for artists/performers or Bachelor of Music (BM) for musicians. The BA degree is the typical liberal arts degree, with a survey of courses in different areas and a specialty chosen in one area; students who major in English, history, and other humanities majors also earn BA degrees. The BFA or BM degree is more intensely focused in the arts. There is a world of difference between a BA in Music and a BM in Music. A BA in Music consists of a lot of courses outside of the music major and approximately 12 or so courses within it. It may not be enough for the student who wants a passionate musical experience. A BM in Music, however, is essentially a professional degree with rigorous study through coursework in music history and theory. 40 TeenLife | Spring 2014
Which degree you choose depends on your college and career goals. If you have a high degree of commitment to your art and desire an arts-focused college experience, a BFA or BM might be right for you. If you would rather study a variety of subjects along with your arts major, a BA may be the way to go. TYPES OF COLLEGES Visual and performing arts students have several types of colleges to consider. Conservatories and standalone arts schools offer an immersion-type experience for students earning BM or BFA degrees. All students will be artists, and the atmosphere is often highly competitive. Some larger universities offer BFA/ BM degrees as well as BA degrees in the arts. You may find somewhat self-contained music or arts schools within the larger university. In this atmosphere, students can pursue the more specialized degree while keeping the door open to taking a
few liberal arts courses (which may be unavailable at specialized music or arts schools). In addition, a universitybased arts program might give you the option of pursuing a double degree, such as a BM in Music and a BA in History. THE APPLICATION PROCESS In addition to completing a typical college application, students in the visual or performing arts will need to prepare a portfolio or audition. Each school will have different requirements, listed in their collateral and on their website. Keep in mind that although a portfolio or audition is an important part of the application, arts programs do consider academic records and test scores. Most colleges balance students’ creative talent with their academic achievements. ASSESSING YOUR ABILITIES If you’re interested in pursuing an arts major and career, now is the time to seek objective opinions of your abilities in the field.
The opportunity to perform, exhibit, and have active internships is vital to a young artist’s education. In addition to asking for honest advice from high school and private teachers, students can also get outside assessment from professionals at a local symphony, dance troupe, or theater company. Visual arts students can receive portfolio evaluations from college representatives at one of the many National Portfolio Days. See www.portfolioday.net for details. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS All students benefit from visiting the colleges that interest them and asking questions about academics, student life, and other facets of the college experience. As an arts student, you have additional questions to consider.
LOCATION The location of your chosen college may be more important to you than to students with other majors. For example, arts students attending school in urban areas will have access to professional venues such as museums, galleries, theaters, and concerts. Additionally, the opportunity to perform, exhibit, and have active internships is vital to a young artist’s education. FACILITIES In addition to checking out dorm rooms, classrooms, and athletic facilities, art students should look at a college’s studio space or practice rooms, performance or exhibit venues on campus, computer resources,
and any other resources specific to your field of study. And ask questions about how accessible these resources are to students: attractive studios are of no help if there aren’t enough to go around. A GOOD FIT Finally, as for every student, visual and performing arts students need to find a college that fits their personality, interests, and goals. It’s easy to be dazzled by the prestige of a top professional school or arts department and overlook the question of whether the program is right for you. No matter how talented the student and how wonderful the school, fit is always crucial. TL
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In Her Own Words Why did you decide to go to a Performing & Visual Arts School? How did you research and ultimately select the school? I began performing with my high school’s drama club in my sophomore year. I loved the rush I felt the first time I had a solo performance on stage. When I was 17, I attended two summer programs at Berklee College of Music. The environment, faculty, and other students attending the programs were so supportive and encouraging. After that summer I knew I wanted to pursue a career in music. I researched a few other performing arts schools, but Berklee was the place for me. What arts major are you specifically studying? At Berklee, you audition on your instrument to get into the school, and that’s your principal. From there you choose a major. My principal is Voice, but my major is called “Professional Music.” It’s kind of the build-your-own-major option, so I can choose from many courses rather than be limited to those only available for a specific major. In my case, the classes I choose are concentrated in songwriting and vocal performance.
Kelly Eberle, 20 Junior at Berklee College of Music
What did you have to do to apply? The application process for Berklee was similar to other schools in the fact that I had to write an essay and fill out a formal application. But because I was applying to a performing arts school, I also had an on-campus audition and interview, which I’m sure made up the bulk of the school’s decision. I think at the end of the day you get accepted or rejected based on how you perform in your audition. What advice do you offer students who want to attend a Performing & Visual Arts College? There are many highs and lows in attending a performing and visual arts school, and it can be really easy to start doubting your abilities. I would advise any incoming students to stay grounded and remind themselves why they wanted to pursue an education in the arts in the first place. It’s not always the easiest path, but it’s a thrilling experience. If you follow your intuition, you can find yourself among people who inspire and encourage you to push yourself as an artist. How has your experience this far shaped your future goals and career aspirations? After graduating, I plan to continue performing with a few area bands and someday hope to release a solo EP. I have performed alongside some of the best musicians I’ve ever known. The passion among the students at Berklee inspires me to perform and write.
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College & Universities
Begin your college search with our comprehensive list of colleges and universities in this guide. West Coast COLUMBIA COLLEGE HOLLYWOOD Tarzana, CA LAGUNA COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN Laguna Beach, CA SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE San Francisco, CA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE Los Angeles, CA THEATRE OF ARTS Los Angeles, CA UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ Santa Cruz, CA UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS SCHOOL OF MUSIC Redlands, CA
Great Lakes Region BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY Berea, OH COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO Chicago, IL COLUMBUS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN Columbus, OH CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC AT BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY Berea, OH
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DEPAUL UNIVERSITY: SCHOOL OF MUSIC Chicago, IL ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY: ARTS PROGRAMS Bloomington, IL KENT STATE UNIVERSITY Kent, OH KETTERING UNIVERSITY Flint, MI
Mid-Atlantic AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS (AADA) New York, NY AMERICAN UNIVERSITY Washington, D.C. CAP21 - MUSICAL THEATRE TRAINING New York, NY
LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY Appleton, WI
CARNEGIE MELLON SCHOOL OF MUSIC Pittsburgh, PA
MILWAUKEE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING Milwaukee, WI
DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY: MARY PAPPERT SCHOOL OF MUSIC Pittsburgh, PA
SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO Chicago, IL
HARCUM COLLEGE Bryn Mawr, PA
THE THEATRE SCHOOL AT DEPAUL UNIVERSITY Chicago, IL
MARYMOUNT MANHATTAN COLLEGE New York, NY
VITERBO UNIVERSITY La Crosse, WI
NEW YORK CONSERVATORY FOR DRAMATIC ARTS New York, NY
Great Plains
PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN Lancaster, PA
DORDT COLLEGE Sioux Center, IA IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Ames, IA UMKC CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC AND DANCE Kansas City, MO
POINT PARK UNIVERSITY Pittsburgh, PA RUTGERS UNIVERSITY: MASON GROSS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS New Brunswick, NJ
College & Universities STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Hoboken, NJ STEVENSON UNIVERSITY Stevenson, MD THE NEW SCHOOL New York, NY
New England BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC Boston, MA BOSTON CONSERVATORY Boston, MA
DEAN COLLEGE Franklin, MA
SIMMONS COLLEGE Boston, MA
LABOURE COLLEGE Milton, MA
WESTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY Danbury, CT
NEW ENGLAND INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Warwick, RI NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS Bangor, ME RIVIER UNIVERSITY Nashua, NH
WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE Worcester, MA
Rockies COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Fort Collins, CO
York University students fliming in the sound stage. See listing page 46.
TeenLife | Spring 2014 45
College & Universities NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY Nampa, ID
South East FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY Lakeland, FL JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY Siloam Springs, AR KEISER UNIVERSITY Fort Lauderdale, FL KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY Frankfort, KY
South West OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY Oklahoma City, OK SANTA FE UNIVERSITY OF ART AND DESIGN Santa Fe, NM SCHREINER UNIVERSITY Kerrville, TX UNIVERSITY OF ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY (UAT) Tempe, AZ UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO Albuquerque, NM
PIEDMONT COLLEGE Demorest, GA
Outside U.S.
SOUTHERN POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY Marietta, GA
GLION INSTITUTE OF HIGHER EDUCATION - LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM Switzerland
TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY Cookeville, TN
HUMBER COLLEGE Canada
THE BLACKBIRD ACADEMY Nashville, TN UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON Fredericksburg, VA UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Winston-Salem, NC UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA: SCHOOL OF MUSIC Columbia, SC WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Cullowhee, NC
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LEEDS COLLEGE OF MUSIC United Kingdom LES ROCHES INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT MARBELLA Spain LES ROCHES INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF HOTEL MANAGEMENT - SWITZERLAND Switzerland ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC & DRAMA United Kingdom SFU SCHOOL FOR THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS Canada
THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY IN LONDON United Kingdom UNIVERSITY OF WEST LONDON United Kingdom YORK UNIVERSITY: FACULTY OF FINE ARTS Canada
College Resources ALL COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS Mobile App COLLEGE APPLICATION WIZARD Online COLLEGEDATA Online GRADFLY Online HOBSONS: COLLEGE CONFIDENTIAL Online JERRYS ARTARAMA Raleigh, NC; Online THE ESSAY ADVISER Chestnut Hill, MA QUAD2QUAD Mobile App
College Funding SALLIE MAE Online
For even more listings go to
teenlife.com!
In His Own Words What is the NASA Microgravity University SEED Program? It is a competitive program put on by NASA where university teams can submit design project ideas. If selected, the team gets to work with NASA scientists and test their design on NASA’s zero gravity aircraft. NNU teams were selected two years in a row, and I participated both times! How did you choose the Northwest Nazarene University SEED Program? I had always been interested in physics, so I knew I wanted to study STEM. I had so many family connections at NNU, so it seemed like the perfect program to join. I knew I had chosen the right program when, by my sophomore year, I was already working alongside NASA professionals.
Student at Northwest Nazarene University
What was your favorite part of the program? This program has given me so many incredible opportunities, from sending experiments to space with NASA, to working on an engineering project in Papua, New Guinea! My favorite part would have to be designing an experiment that I then performed in zero gravity on board the Vomit Comet, the aircraft NASA uses to train astronauts on weightlessness. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I got to do two years in a row. I’ll never forget that first time I floated up free of gravity. It was amazing.
Participant in the NASA Microgravity University Systems Engineering Educational Discovery (SEED) Program
What have you learned from participating in this NNU STEM program? Not only have I learned a ton in all of my classes, but I gained research experience as well. I have learned how to prepare an experiment up to NASA’s strict standards, as well as be a leader, driving teams towards a common goal.
Chad Larson
How has participating in this STEM program shaped your future? The SEED program has opened up so many doors for my future. Right now I am pursuing a PhD in Physics and might use my experience to get a job at NASA someday! I have loved every second of college and would not trade my experience for anything! What would you tell someone who is interested in participating in NNU’s SEED Program? Go for it! NNU has an incredible program that is full of unique opportunities! NNU provides not only a great education, but also the hands-on-experiences that prepares you for the future.
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Tutoring & Test Prep
48 TeenLife | Spring 2014
PUTTING TEENS TO THE TEST
A Well-Rounded Approach to SAT & ACT Prep by Kimberly Wolf, M.Ed.
Because they are much-hyped, arduous, and in many cases, required, the SATs and ACTs are significant drivers of college admissions anxiety. The good news is that parents and students can employ a variety of tools and strategies to ease the process and make it more manageable. The earlier you start your test prep process, the more prepared you will be.
TeenLife | Spring 2014 49
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Tutoring & Test Prep 1. Put the test in perspective. While the SAT or ACT can play a significant role in a student’s college application, standardized tests make up just one part of the greater picture. As AcceptU’s Dr. Stephen Friedfeld, notes, “Admissions is a holistic process and all parts of the application will have some importance.” While more selective universities will typically place more importance on scores in order to differentiate among highly qualified applicants, Friedfeld continues, “Grades and rigor of curriculum are always the most important part of any application.” Colleges also take into account a teen’s essays, extracurriculars, and “leadership potential.” Remember, test scores only tell colleges one part of an applicant’s story. 2. Start early. Sallie Oto, Director of Tutoring Services for ArborBridge, notes that the students who perform well on exams are those who have been studying for four to six months and “feel like the structure and content of the exam is second nature.” Beginning preparation at the end of sophomore year will give your teen enough lead time to gain a sufficient level of comfort with test material. 3. Identify your resources. When it comes to studying for standardized tests, look to utilize both online resources and paid services to help produce desired scores. There are tools available at a wide range of price points that can be tailored to students with a variety of needs and learning styles. Start with the College Board and the ACT websites to gain a baseline understanding of the tests. Here, you can find descriptions of test length, view question formats, and take free full-length practice tests. For added support, opt for a traditional class, in-person tutoring, or virtual programs.TestRocker offers an awardwinning online SAT/ACT program with over two thousand video explanations. TestRocker saves your teen study time
by creating a customized plan to follow based on his or her strengths and weaknesses. Asking a few key questions will help you identify the highest quality services that best fit your teen. Which teaching materials do you use? Oto emphasizes that the best teachers and tutors will work “primarily with materials published by the test makers.” How experienced are your tutors? “Experienced tutors will know every single question in the book of 10 Real SATs, as well as the ten offered online,” Oto says. How do you personalize your services? Many SAT and ACT prep services will take your teen’s aptitude, learning style, schedule, and even personality into account when matching them to a course or tutor. Ask how they assess new clients, what options they offer for scheduling, and if they are tied to a location or able to conduct sessions virtually. 4. Schedule the time. According to Steve Elefson of Summit Education Group, “prep should continue right up to the target test date.” Even if teens are starting prep months in advance, Elefson suggests planning for consistent weekly test practice right up to the exam. Studying late at night or over the weekends can help students get needed practice hours. 5. Support healthy habits. Proper nutrition and a good night’s sleep can give a student’s performance an extra boost. Discourage consumption of sugars, caffeine, energy drinks, and processed white flours before tests. These can contribute to anxiety and interfere with sleep. Teens should stock up on proteins, fruits, some grains and lots of fiber which can even out hormonal swings. To get a good night’s sleep before the test, encourage exercise to help tire them out. TL
Here are some reputable tutoring and test prep options for your college-bound teen. APPLEROUTH TUTORING SERVICES Atlanta, GA CLOSING THE GAPS INC. Coral Gables, FL DOLPHIN ACADEMIC PREP New York, NY DOLPHIN ACADEMIC PREP Jersey City, NJ GRUBSTREET: CREATIVE WRITING CLASSES Online TEAM TUTOR Dresher, PA TESTIVE PRIVATE SAT TUTORING Cambridge, MA TESTROCKER TestRocker offers an award-winning online SAT/ACT program with over two thousand video explanations. TestRocker saves your teen precious study time by creating a customized study plan to follow based on his or her strengths and weaknesses. New York, NY
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Independent Advisors
52 TeenLife | Spring 2014
The Benefits of Hiring an INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT by Sophie Borden
While most high schools provide students with guidance counselors and college coaches, parents should not hesitate to find additional academic support for their teens. Whether your student is struggling with schoolwork, has special needs or is troubled, or wants help searching for the right school or college, an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) can provide the expert help you need.
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COLLEGE ADVISING Many IECs support students and their parents with college admissions and decisions. An independent consultant often offers more specialized skills and experience than a school counselor. An independent college counselor works with your family and your interests to ensure they match the student with the perfect college. College consultants often come from a background in college admissions or administration, so they know the process firsthand, and can offer the best advice on college essays, college lists, and school visits. An IEC in college admissions can ease the entire process, 54 TeenLife | Spring 2014
and help your child get into the college of their dreams. SCHOOL ADVISING If you are looking for a private or boarding school for your teenager, an IEC can help you find the perfect fit. An independent school consultant can facilitate the stressful application process, and select the best schools for your teen, depending on their unique needs, strengths, weaknesses, interests, and dislikes. Proper school fit ensures a student’s happiness and eagerness to learn—make sure you make the best decision possible with the help of an IEC.
LEARNING DISABILITIES If your child is having difficulties in their traditional school environment, an IEC can step in and help you find solutions often more quickly than onsite school counselors. Many IECs specialize in working with families to find alternative programs for students with special needs—they can explain the process, and draw on their experience to offer support. IECs who specialize in learning differences spend extensive time visiting schools and programs, which make them qualified to suggest a best fit for your teen’s personality and needs. Most importantly, they can make the process go more smoothly.
Independent Advisors THERAPEUTIC NEEDS Being a parent of a troubled teen can be very stressful and tiring. An IEC can help find the right emotional or behavioral therapeutic program for your child, and can do all of the research for you. Whether you must decide between a residential or day program, treatment options, or therapy, an IEC can provide expert advice on all of your options. In addition, many IECs assist families through the entire process, including monitoring a teen’s progress and acting as a sounding board once enrolled.
Choosing the right school, college, special needs, or therapeutic program for your teenager is an extremely important decision that will affect their immediate and long-term future. While a parent can spend hours every day researching and visiting prospective schools or programs, an IEC will always be able to provide this information in a faster, more reliable manner. IECs offer the insights and support needed for parents and students to make the most confident decisions. TL
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Independent Educational Consultant • How long have you been in business as an independent educational consultant (IEC)?
• What is your training and background? • What was your background prior to going into independent educational consulting?
• What specialized training do you have (LD, gifted, athletics, arts, etc.)?
• Do you attend professional conferences and training workshops on a regular basis to keep up with regional and national trends and changes in law?
• How do you keep up with academic changes and evolving campus cultures? How often do you get out and visit colleges and meet with admissions representatives?
• Do you belong to any professional associations such as the
National Assoication for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)?
Here are some reputable independent advisors and resources for your college-bound teen. AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION NEW ENGLAND Lexington, MA COACHING 4 COLLEGE ADMISSIONS Lincoln, RI DOBSON EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Philadelphia, PA ELLEN RICHARDS ADMISSIONS CONSULTING Beverly Hills, CA JESSICA ROMEYN, PSY.D. Los Angeles, CA KLAAR COLLEGE CONSULTING Brunswick, MD MARCIA MOOR Wellesley, MA TACONIC EDUCATIONAL PLACEMENT Rhinebeck , NY TAYLOR THE GAP Boulder, CO
• Are all fees involved stated in writing, up front, indicating exactly what services I will receive for those fees?
Want to hire and Independent Consultant? Along with the IECs listed in this guide, go to TeenLife.com for a list of qualified professionals or go to IECAonline.org. Questions adapted from the Independent Educational Consultant Association’s website, IECAonline.org.
THE ESSAY ADVISER Chestnut Hill, MA WORLD STUDENT SUPPORT Golden, CO
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Therapeutic Programs
56 TeenLife | Spring 2014
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR ON-CAMPUS TOUR: A Checklist for Parents Visiting a Therapeutic Boarding School or Program by Jeffrey Brain, MA, CTS, CEP, Certified Educational Planner The Family Foundation School
Choosing the right therapeutic boarding school or program is one of the most difficult decisions a parent must make on behalf of their child and their family. It has significant implications not only for the immediate future, but long into adulthood. Finding the right match can be daunting and confusing given the many options and subtle differences between programs, as well as the highly emotional nature of the search. Students go horseback riding at The Glenhome School. See listing page 60.
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Teens kayaking with Breakwater Expeditions in Alaska.
Campus tours offer key insights into programs and can mark turning points in the decision-making process. Drawing on my own experience both as a director of admissions for a therapeutic boarding school and a professional who has visited more than 100 schools and programs across the country, I’ve developed this list of important and necessary things to look for, questions to ask, and mistakes to avoid. 1. Be open-minded. Remember, you are seeking a new learning and therapeutic environment for your teen. Finding the right fit may require you to abandon your understanding of “what works” in order to find a place that will foster your child’s success. 2. Be on time (even early) and ready to ask questions. I’ve found that many parents benefit from a few minutes before their tour to collect their thoughts. Many find that they have additional time to speak
58 TeenLife | Spring 2014
with school administrators. Never reject a question thinking it is not relevant, appropriate, or proper. The more knowledge you have will help you both through the decision process and the transition stage. 3. Ask what the school or program specializes in, and then judge whether the students they accept match their expertise. A good school or program will only accept students they have expertise to work with. For example, if a school represents that it can address substance abuse, you should be looking for evidence that demonstrates expertise in this area. How do they address it? How well versed are staff? What is their approach? And perhaps most important, does anyone have personal experience with the issue? You would be surprised to find out how many schools and programs are treating kids with eating disorders for example, with no one on staff with personal
experience overcoming an eating disorder. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask for their acceptance and exclusion criteria. 4. Be fully truthful and thorough in representing your child’s needs, strengths, and personality. A school or program can only help ensure a good match to the degree that you have accurately and completely disclosed essential information about your child to them. 5. Ask how similar or dissimilar your child’s needs are with their typical student. A good school or program should be able to clearly define how closely your child’s needs match their student profile, and which of your child’s needs are unique or rare in terms of their expertise. You should leave having a clear sense of where your child falls on the continuum of students attending that school.
6. Ask the admissions staff what they feel the school or program’s weaknesses are. What they do well, what their strengths are, will be evident. Their weaknesses may not be as apparent. All programs have weaknesses and should be working on making improvements in one area or another. 7. You should always have access to students, alone. If the admissions personnel or staff will not leave you alone with students, assume they have something to hide. You should always be able to speak and interact personally with current students. 8. Speak to students who are most similar to your son or daughter. This will give you the best sense of how the school responds to your child’s specific needs. I encourage parents to speak to new students. Many schools and programs will preclude you from speaking to new students, but if you can, they usually offer interesting insight. 9. You generally will have a more favorable impression of a place you visit on a beautiful, sunny, spring day than a school you visit on a rainy, damp, cold day. But, of course, this is no indication of the quality or the match for your child. Similarly, the view may be beautiful, but will not be the agent of change for your child. 10. Spend time just observing. You defenitely want and need to converse with students and admissions staff, but do take time to just “hang out.” Watch students change classes, observe an activity such as a gym class or sporting event, and casually walk around campus.
11. Talk to non-admissions staff during your visit. Get a sense of of who they are and their roles on campus. Does the staff represent the mission of the organization? How do they interact with students? 12. Be aware and sensitive to the spirit of the school, or the overall “feel” or “tone” of the environment. The adage “Go with your gut” applies here. Does the program and environment have an overall positive feel? Do you have any “ah-ha” moments during your visit? 13. Ask about the ownership of the school or program. Is it owned by a corporation or is it privately or family owned? Is the owner on campus? Does the owner have regular involvement with the students? Are you able to speak to the owner? It is important that the school’s proprietor is connected to the daily operations, and more importantly, to the students. 14. Ask about the financial condition of the organization. How long have they been in operation? How are they equipped to handle difficult economic times? Have they ever filed for bankruptcy? You certainly don’t want to choose a school that is financially unstable in any way. 15. Be aware of how well the admissions staff knows the students. Do they address students by name? Do they seem to know the majority of students? Do students seem to know them? 16. Is the program appropriately accredited or licensed? Ask who they are accredited or licensed by and what the accreditations mean. They are in essence the independent auditors and regulators of the organization, and there might be several. It is a good idea to look up and familiarize yourself with these organizations.
17. Is the school or program a member of any professional organizations? Which ones and why? Look up these organizations online to learn more about their mission. Are they members of professional groups? This shows a spirit of collaboration and involvement in the larger field of education and therapeutic services for its students. 18. Ask if the school is willing to assist you by making referrals to other schools, programs, services or professionals that will help solidify that you are making the right decision. You may opt not to use those resources, but it’s important to evaluate if the school is just interested in filling a spot or if they are committed to helping you find the program best matched to your child’s needs. 19. Ask if the school or program provides help and assistance to parents even if you do not enroll. As a therapeutic school, it may be meaningful to know if the school makes attempts to help parents even if an enrollment is not the outcome. 20. Notice if the school is active in their community? A good school or program should be a contributing member of the community it is in. How does the school interact with its community and neighboring schools? 21. Ask for a parent reference list and always call other parents— both current and alumni. Parents in similiar situations can provide valuable insights to help you gain a more complete understanding of a given school. For additional tips, you can visit The Family Foundation School’s website at www.TheFamilySchool.com. Good luck with your search and ultimate decision! TL
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Therapeutic Programs
The extensive number of therapeutic programs in this guide will help you and your child select the perfect specialized school or program.
Colleges for Special Needs BEACON COLLEGE Leesburg, FL OPTIONS TRANSITIONS TO INDEPENDENCE Carbondale, IL
Special Needs Boarding Schools AULDERN ACADEMY Siler City, NC BREHM PREPARATORY SCHOOL Carbondale, IL CHERRY GULCH BOYS RANCH Emmett, ID JUSTICE RESOURCE INSTITUTE Needham, MA MINDSTREAM ACADEMY Bluffton, SC
LANDMARK SCHOOL Prides Crossing, MA LITTLE KESWICK SCHOOL Keswick, VA MONTCALM SCHOOL Albion, MI THE ACADEMY AT SOAR Balsam, NC THE FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOOL Hancock, NY THE GLENHOLME SCHOOL DEVEREUX CONNECTICUT Washington, CT THE KING’S DAUGHTERS’ SCHOOL AND CENTER FOR AUTISM Columbia, TN THE MAY INSTITUTE Randolph, MA
SHEPHERD’S HILL ACADEMY Martin, GA
Special Needs Summer Programs
SUMMIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL Kalispell, MT
COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Pittsfield, MA
Special Needs Day & Boarding Schools BACHMAN ACADEMY McDonald, TN CHAMBERLAIN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Middleboro, MA 60 TeenLife | Spring 2014
SUMMIT CAMP & TRAVEL Honesdale, PA
Therapeutic Programs BENCHMARK TRANSITIONS Loma Linda, CA
FAST TRACK TO JOYFULLY PARENTING YOUR TWEEN OR TEEN IN 30 DAYS OR LESS! Spring Hill, TN JOURNEY WILDERNESSOUTDOOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE PROGRAM Provo, UT LEVINE JEWISH RESIDENTIAL AND FAMILY SERVICE West Palm Beach, FL MEMORIAL HERMANN PREVENTION & RECOVERY CENTER Houston, TX NEWPORT ACADEMY Orange, CA RESTART INTERNET ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM Fall CIty, WA SPECTRUM COLLEGE TRANSITION PROGRAM Scottsdale, AZ TELOS Orem, UT THE LANDING AT MCLEAN HOSPITAL Belmont, MA UINTA ACADEMY Wellsville, UT WINGATE WILDERNESS THERAPY Kanab, UT YELLOWSTONE BOYS AND GIRLS RANCH Billings, MT
MARKET PL AC E
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MARKET PL AC E
The Essay Adviser provides individual coaching and essay writing workshops for navigating the college application process. For more information, contact theessayadviser@gmail.com or call 617-838-8084.
www.essayadviser.com 62 TeenLife | Spring 2014
Advertiser Index Click here to get more information from the advertisers in this guide and win an iPad Mini!
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Colleges & Universities
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30
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Index Alaska 14 Visions Alaska Community Service Program Arizona 60 Spectrum College Transition Program 46 University Of Advancing Technology (Uat) Arkansas 46 John Brown University California 60 Benchmark Transitions 13 Brooks Institute High School Workshop 44 Columbia College Hollywood 55 Ellen Richards Admissions Consulting 12 Id Programming Academy, Id Game Design & Development Academy, And Id Film Academy 14 Id Tech Camps Held At Universities Nationwide 13 Id Visual Arts Academy Held At Uc Berkeley 55 Jessica Romeyn, Psy.D. 12 Junior Statesmen Summer School 44 Laguna College Of Art And Design 60 Newport Academy 14 Oxbow Summer Art Camp 44 San Francisco Art Institute 37 Sonoma Academy 44 Southern California Institute Of Architecture 12 Supercamp 44 Theatre Of Arts 44 University Of California - Santa Cruz 44 University Of Redlands School Of Music Colorado 45 Colorado State University School Of The Arts 15 High Mountain Institute: Summer Term 55 Taylor The Gap 55 World Student Support Connecticut 16 Aifs Summer Advantage: High School Study Abroad Program 37 Holistic Health & Teen Mentoring Program KEY Summer Programs Gap Year Programs High School Colleges, Universities, & College Resources
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Tutoring & Test Prep Independent Advisors Therapeutic Program
13 12 60 12 45
Id Visual Arts Academy Held At Yale Pre-College Study At Wesleyan University The Glenholme School - Devereux Connecticut University Prep Program Western Connecticut State University
District Of Columbia 44 American University 24 American University Gap Program 24 Americorps Nccc 24 Innerpathworks 12 Segl’s Summer Ethics And Leadership Institute Florida 60 Beacon College 51 Closing The Gaps Inc. 10 Explorations In Architecture And Design 46 Florida Polytechnic University 46 Keiser University 60 Levine Jewish Residential And Family Service 15 Touracademy Junior Golf Camps Georgia 51 Applerouth Tutoring Services 10 Emory University Pre-College Program 46 Piedmont College 60 Shepherd’s Hill Academy 46 Southern Polytechnic State University Hawaii 12 Science Camps Of America Big Island Of Hawaii Summer 2014 Idaho 60 Cherry Gulch Boys Ranch 46 Northwest Nazarene University Illinois 60 Brehm Preparatory School 44 Columbia College Chicago 44 Depaul University: School Of Music 44 Illinois Wesleyan University: Arts Programs 13 Metropolis School Of The Performing Arts 12 Northwestern University College Prep Program For High School Students 60 Options Transitions To Independence 44 School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago
14 44
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago Early College Program Summer Institute The Theatre School At Depaul University
Indiana 12 Purdue University: Geri Summer Residential Programs Iowa 44 Dordt College 44 Iowa State University College Of Engineering Kentucky 46 Kentucky State University Maine 10 Acadia Institute Of Oceanography: Advanced Session For College Credit 10 Acadia Institute Of Oceanography: Advanced Program 25 Hebron Academy Postgraduate Year 12 Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (Mdibl) 45 New England School Of Communications 12 University Of New England Early College Program
Maryland 55 Klaar College Consulting 13 Maryland Institute College Of Art Pre-College Studio 12 St. John’s College Summer Academy, Annapolis Pre-College 45 Stevenson University 17 Youth For Understanding (Yfu) Massachusetts 55 American Camp Association New England 16 Atlas Workshops 10 Babson College: Entrepreneurial Development Experience 15 Beaver Summer Programs: Boston Children’s Circus 16 Beaver Summer Programs: Peak And Paddle 45 Berklee College Of Music 15 Bonnie Castle Riding Camp 37 Boston City Singers 45 Boston Conservatory 14 Boston Leadership Institute: Mandarin Chinese 10 Boston Leadership Institute: Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
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TeenLife | Spring 2014 65
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 37 37 60 60 45 13 10 10 13 13 10 10 13 13 15 37 10 10 37 14 25 15 60 45 60 14 14 55 16 12 15
Boston Univ Summer Term High School Programs Boston Univ: High School Honors Program Boston Univ: Research Internship Program Boston Univ: U-Design Science Program Boston University: Summer Challenge Program Boston University: Summer Preview Boston University: Summerlab Biotechnology Program British School Of Boston Build-It-Yourself Art And Engineering Program Chamberlain International School College Internship Program Dean College Diablo Glass School Emerson College: Creative Writers Workshop Emerson College: Journalism And Political Communication Institutes Emerson College: Musical Theatre Studio Emerson College: Pre-College Acting Studio Emerson College: Pre-College Film Production Emerson College: Pre-College Film Writing Emerson College: Pre-College Filmmakers Studio Emerson College: Pre-College Stage Design Studio F1 Boston 2013 Summer Junior Novice Camps Grubstreet: Creative Writing Classes H.E.L.P - Exploring Health And Medicine Harvard University: Secondary School Program International School Of Boston Internship Connection Program Internship Connection: Gap Year Program Inward Bound Mindfulness Education Justice Resource Institute Laboure College Landmark School Latin Alive! Lawrence Academy Summer Programs: Language Immersion Marcia Moor Meadowbrook Summer Programs: Teen Tripping Program Phillips Academy: Summer Session School Of Fashion Design: High School Prep Program KEY Summer Programs Gap Year Programs High School Colleges, Universities, & College Resources
66 TeenLife | Spring 2014
Tutoring & Test Prep Independent Advisors Therapeutic Program
45 12 14 37 14 46 60 60 14 12 12 45 16 12
Simmons College Smith College: Summer Science And Engineering Program (Ssep) Snow Farm Summer: The New England Craft Program For High School Students Testive Private Sat Tutoring The Boston Conservatory Summer Intensives The Essay Adviser The Landing At Mclean Hospital The May Institute Urbanframe - Summer Architecture At Mit For Teens Wellesley College Summer Session Pre-College Westfield CSI Worcester Polytechnic Institute Ymca Camp Burgess For Boys Young Entrepreneur Challenge
Michigan 44 Kettering University 12 Lawrence Technological University Summer Camps 60 Montcalm School Minnesota 10 Carleton College Summer Academic Programs 17 Kuchanga Travel - Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia Minnesota 14 Minneapolis College Of Art And Design Pre-College Summer Session Mississippi 14 Visions Mississippi Community Service Program Missouri 44 Umkc Conservatory Of Music And Dance 12 Washington University’s High School Summer Experiences 16 Ymca Camp Lakewood Montana 12 Mines Summer Camp For Young Women 60 Summit Preparatory School 14 Visions Montana Community Service Program 14 Visions Service Adventures 60 Yellowstone Boys And Girls Ranch New Hampshire 12 Phillips Exeter Academy Summer School 45 Rivier University 17 Summer Session At Cardigan Mountain School
New Jersey 37 Dolphin Academic Prep 10 Felician College Pre-College Summer ProgramThe Global Citizenship Institute 12 Resident Academic Session At The Hun School Of Princeton 14 Rutgers Summer Music, Dance & Art Camps 44 Rutgers University: Mason Gross School Of The Arts 45 Stevens Institute Of Technology New Mexico 16 Cottonwood Gulch Wilderness Expeditions 16 Cottonwood Gulch: Art And Music Trek 46 Santa Fe University Of Art And Design 12 St. John’s College Summer Academy, Santa Fe Pre-College 46 University Of New Mexico New York 10 Alfred University Summer Programs 44 American Academy Of Dramatic Arts (Aada) 13 Arts In Action Fine Art Summer Camp 13 Artsbridge Summer 2014 44 Cap21 - Musical Theatre Training 13 Cap21 Summer High School Musical Theatre Training And College Audition Prep Program 37 Cityterm At The Masters School 13 College Of Saint Rose Pre-College Experience 10 Columbia Scholastic Press Association: Summer Journalism Workshop 51 Dolphin Academic Prep 13 French Woods Festival Of The Performing Arts 46 Gradfly 12 Humanities Spring In New York 12 I2 Camp 12 I2 Camp- New York 13 Id Visual Arts Academy Held At Nyu 15 Leaders For Life Intl. At Hamilton College And Estes Park Co 44 Marymount Manhattan College 44 New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts 14 Nycda: Summer Acting Training Program 14 Omega Teen Camp 14 Powerhouse Theater Training Program At Vassar College 12 Ross School - Summer Term @Ross 12 Skidmore Pre-College Program 12 Summer Educational Experience At Elmira College 12 Summerfuel 12 Syracuse University Summer College
55 51 60 45 12 17 12
Taconic Educational Placement Testrocker The Family Foundation School The New School University Of Rochester Pre-College Programs University Of Rochester Pre-College Summer Study Abroad Programs Wagner College Summer Pre-College Program For High School Students
North Carolina 60 Auldern Academy 16 Green River Preserve 60 The Academy At Soar 24 The Pioneer Project 46 University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts 46 Western Carolina University Ohio 44 Baldwin Wallace University 44 Columbus College Of Art And Design 44 Conservatory Of Music At Baldwin Wallace University 44 Kent State University Oklahoma 46 Oklahoma City University Pennsylvania 44 Carnegie Mellon School Of Music 10 Delaware County Christian School Summer Programs: Excel Enrichment 55 Dobson Educational Services 44 Duquesne University: Mary Pappert School Of Music 16 Earthconnect: Chill Expeditions/ Costa Rican Adventures 44 Harcum College 12 Lebanon Valley College Health And Biomedical Sciences Camp 44 Pennsylvania College Of Art & Design 44 Point Park University 12 Science Camp Watonka 14 Summer Academy In Applied Science & Tech 60 Summit Camp & Travel 51 Team Tutor 17 Travel For Teens 37 Valley Forge Military Academy 15 Valley Forge Military Academy Camp 25 Valley Forge Military Academy Postgraduate Year
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Rhode Island 10 Brown University Pre-College Programs 10 Brown University Spark: Summer Science Program For Middle School Students 55 Coaching 4 College Admissions 45 New England Institute Of Technology 12 Portsmouth Abbey’s Summer Program 12 Rwu Summer Academy In Architecture South Carolina 60 Mindstream Academy 46 University Of South Carolina: School Of Music Tennessee 60 Bachman Academy 60 Fast Track To Joyfully Parenting Your Tween Or Teen In 30 Days Or Less! 46 Tennessee Technological University 46 The Blackbird Academy 60 The King’s Daughters’ School And Center For Autism Texas 14 Amigos De Las Americas (Amigos) 14 Aspire By Api: Community Service Programs In Costa Rica, China, Ecuador, And Southeast Asia (Cambodia & Thailand) 16 Aspire By Api: Summer Programs In Argentina, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, & Asia 12 Kids U 60 Memorial Hermann Prevention & Recovery Center 46 Schreiner University 15 Sol Abroad High School Summer Programs 17 Spi High School Foreign Exchange Programs In Spain, France, Italy, Costa Rica, And China 17 Spi High School Summer Abroad Programs In Spain, France, Italy, Costa Rica, And China 17 University Of Dallas High School Summer Programs
KEY Summer Programs Gap Year Programs High School Colleges, Universities, & College Resources
68 TeenLife | Spring 2014
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Utah 60 Journey Wilderness- Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Program 60 Telos 60 Uinta Academy 60 Wingate Wilderness Therapy Vermont 14 Experiment In International Living - Community Service 17 The Experiment In International Living 14 The Putney School Summer Programs Virginia 16 Camp Friendship 10 College Of William & Mary: Niahd Pre-Collegiate Summer Program In Early American History 15 Global Youth Village 60 Little Keswick School 46 University Of Mary Washington Washington 16 Csa Budget Study Abroad - Low Cost Programs 10 Experience America: International Business And Careers 14 Experience America: The Game Experience 15 People To People Leadership In Action Harvard 60 Restart Internet Addiction Recovery Program Wisconsin 37 Conserve School 44 Lawrence University 44 Milwaukee School Of Engineering 44 Viterbo University Wyoming 12 Teton Science Schools: Summer Program Mobile App 46 All College Application Essays 46 Quad2quad Online 46 College Application Wizard 46 Collegedata 46 Hobsons: Collegeconfidential 46 Jerry’s Artarama 37 K12lab By National Instruments 37 Nonamesite.Com Powered By Topcoder 46
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GUIDE TO PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTS COLLEGE 2014 GUIDE TO
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International
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Africa 24 African Conservation Experience 16 African Leadership Academy Global Scholars Program 24 Cesa Languages Abroad 24 Community Water Solutions Fellowship Program 24 Condensed Curriculum International 25 Foundation For Sustainable Development 24 Gapforce 24 Global Routes 25 Greenheart Travel 25 I-To-I Volunteering 25 Internship Placements In Amazing Locations 24 Kuchanga Travel 25 Leapnow: Transforming Education 24 Projects Abroad 24 Raleigh International 24 Real Gap Experience 15 Strive Trips - Service Trips For Student Athletes 25 The Academy At Watkinson School: Postgraduate Year Program 25 Travellers Worldwide 14 Visions Ghana Community Service Program 25 Volunteering Solutions 25 Where There Be Dragons 24 Youth For Understanding (Yfu)
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Asia 25 24 24 24 24 25 24 25 25 25 25 24
Andeo International Homestays Cesa Languages Abroad Ciee: Gap Year Abroad Condensed Curriculum International Csa Budget Study Abroad - Low Cost Programs Foundation For Sustainable Development Gapforce Greenheart Travel I-To-I Volunteering Internship Placements In Amazing Locations Leapnow: Transforming Education Projects Abroad
KEY Summer Programs Gap Year Programs High School Colleges, Universities, & College Resources
70 TeenLife | Spring 2014
Tutoring & Test Prep Independent Advisors Therapeutic Program
24 24 24 15 25 24 14 25 25 25 24
Rainbow Voluntours : Community Development & Travel Programs In India: Teaching Rainbow Voluntours : Community Development & Travel Programs In India: Teaching/ Gap Year Raleigh International Real Gap Experience Sea|Mester Sino Language: Chinese Language & Culture Immersion The Academy At Watkinson School: Postgraduate Year Program Up With People Visions Cambodia Community Service Program Volunteer In Fiji Conservation & Community Projects Volunteering Solutions Where There Be Dragons Youth For Understanding (Yfu)
Australia 24 Condensed Curriculum International 24 Csa Budget Study Abroad - Low Cost Programs 24 Gapforce 25 Greenheart Travel 25 I-To-I Volunteering 25 Internship Placements In Amazing Locations 25 Leapnow: Transforming Education 25 Outback Work And Travel Australia 24 Sea|Mester 25 Travellers Worldwide 25 Visitoz: Work In Australia 25 Volunteer In Fiji Conservation & Community Projects Canada 13 Centauri Summer Arts Camp 24 Condensed Curriculum International 45 Humber College 45 Sfu School For The Contemporary Arts 24 St. Norbert College Gap Experience 45 York University: Faculty Of Fine Arts Caribbean 24 Gapforce 24 Projects Abroad 24 St. Norbert College Gap Experience 24 The Island School/Cape Eleuthera Institute Gap Year 14 Visions British Virgin Islands Community Service Program 14 Visions Guadeloupe Community Service Program
Europe 25 Andeo International Homestays 25 Art History Abroad 25 Aspire By Api Gap Year Program At John Cabot University In Rome 25 Aspire By Api: Gap Year Programs In Argentina, France, Ireland, Italy, And Spain 24 Cesa Languages Abroad 14 Cesa Languages Abroad 24 Ciee: Gap Year Abroad 24 Condensed Curriculum International 24 Csa Budget Study Abroad - Low Cost Programs 17 Experiment In International Living - France 17 Experiment In International Living - Spain 24 Gapforce 45 Glion Institute Of Higher Education London, United Kingdom 24 Global Routes 25 Greenheart Travel 24 Hellenic International Studies In The Arts 12 Humanities Spring Archaeology Boot Camp 12 Humanities Spring In Assisi 14 Humanities Spring Kids 25 Internship Placements In Amazing Locations 24 Ipsl Study Abroad And Service-Learning Programs 25 Leapnow: Transforming Education 45 Leeds College Of Music - Advertiser 45 Les Roches International School Of Hotel Management - Switzerland 45 Les Roches International School Of Hotel Management Marbella 24 Oxford Advanced Studies Program (Oasp) 24 Projects Abroad 24 Real Gap Experience 45 Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama 24 Sea|Mester 24 Sol Abroad High School & Gap Year Programs 25 The Academy At Watkinson School: Postgraduate Year Program ? The Aegean Center For The Fine Arts 45 The American International University In London - BA Degrees In Art, Design & Media And Performance & Theatre Arts 12 The Oxbridge Edge 17 Travel For Teens: Classic Italy 17 Travel For Teens: Paris And The South Of France 45 University Of West London 24 Up With People 25 Volunteering Solutions 24 Youth For Understanding (YFU)
Latin America 25 Andeo International Homestays 25 Aspire By Api: Gap Year Programs In Argentina, France, Ireland, Italy, And Spain 24 Cesa Languages Abroad 24 Ciee: Gap Year Abroad 24 Condensed Curriculum International 24 Csa Budget Study Abroad - Low Cost Programs 17 Experiment In International Living - Argentina 14 Experiment In International Living - Chile 25 Foundation For Sustainable Development 24 Gapforce 24 Global Routes 25 Greenheart Travel 25 I-To-I Volunteering 25 Internship Placements In Amazing Locations 24 Ipsl Study Abroad And Service-Learning Programs 25 Leapnow: Transforming Education 24 North Carolina Outward Bound School 24 Projects Abroad 24 Raleigh International 24 Sol Abroad High School & Gap Year Programs 25 The Academy At Watkinson School: Postgraduate Year Program 25 Travellers Worldwide 24 Up With People 14 Visions Dominican Republic Community Service Program 14 Visions Ecuador & Galapagos Community Service Program 14 Visions Nicaragua Community Service Program 14 Visions Peru Community Service Program 25 Volunteering Solutions 25 Where There Be Dragons 24 Youth For Understanding (Yfu) Middle East 24 Condensed Curriculum International 24 Ipsl Study Abroad And Service-Learning Programs 25 Volunteering Solutions 25 Where There Be Dragons 24 Young Judaea Year Course In Israel 24 Youth For Understanding (YFU)
TeenLife | Spring 2014 71
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