Summer schools are back. Their winter counterparts, called winter schools, are also preparing to welcome back international students. What are the perks of these programs? Who are they intended for, and what types of courses are provided?
An insight into the Summer school concept
As the name indicates, summer schools are programs tailored by universities for international students and visitors. In practice, these programs aren't only held in summer. There are also winter programs and other similar courses throughout the year. Therefore, even if the rest of this article focuses on summer schools, you must keep in mind that, no matter at what time of the year it takes place, this type of program always operates on the same principle.
These programs revolve around several axes, such as helping international students discover and learn a new language and culture and indulge in a different education system. From history to sports, including gastronomy and architecture, summer programs include visits and workshops that help students become wholly immersed in their new environment. Many universities also offer self-designed courses, depending on the student's field of interest: art, physics, natural sciences, etc.
Which countries offer summer school programs?
South Korea, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and South Africa are just some of the countries that offer summer school programs. Most of them are reopening after a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. The universities setting up these programs are highly international, and they showcase this aspect of international exchange in their programs, as in the case of Waseda University, which is communicating extensively about its openness to the world and cosmopolitanism. That's in the very DNA of the university, which was established in 1882 and is reputed as one of Japan's most international institutions.
South Korean universities are also happy to welcome back international students. During Covid, classes were canceled or were being held online, which is far from being ideal for international students. Time differences, the difficulty of transmitting certain forms of knowledge became significant issues. For example, learning to cook, practicing a sport, or visiting a historical monument are activities that are difficult to incorporate into online classes. At Yonsei University in Seoul, people are happy that the university has reopened despite all the difficulties. The university's summer programs attract more than 2500 students coming from 61 different countries.
What are the benefits of summer schools?
The main benefit of summer schools is how they offer a gentle immersion into a country's culture. Enrolling for one or two years at a university abroad can feel daunting, especially if it's the first time the student is moving abroad. So how to know if you'll really like your life abroad? With a summer program, you can prepare yourself at your own pace. In that regard, summer schools are more effective than touristic trips, thanks to the professionals who can supervise you and give you the keys to understanding.
Another advantage is that these courses are open to anyone. Contrary to popular belief, they're not strictly reserved for students. Any person who wishes to discover life in a foreign country or who dreams of experiencing university life in a particular country can register at a summer school course.
Finally, these programs allow you to get college/university credits. It all depends on the type of course you choose. Be careful to check what the university is offering and ensure that you fulfill all of the prerequisites. A language level, a diploma/degree or an age limit might be prerequisites set by the university.
Do you need a visa to attend summer school?
Summer courses fall under the category of short stays (less than 90 days). Thus, in principle, you shouldn't need a visa if your home country and your host country have signed a visa waiver agreement. But Covid has changed a lot of things. In Japan, for instance, everyone currently requires a visa, regardless of the length of stay. To participate in a summer program at Columbia University in New York, you will need a visa. So you should enquire for specific details from the university you wish to attend.
Another example is the summer school of Hanyang University. All procedures are carried out online on the university's website. The university reminds citizens of countries with which it has a visa waiver agreement that they don't need to apply for a visa. A valid passport is enough (you should verify this with the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization). It redirects citizens from other countries to the website of the Korean embassy or consulate in their country to apply for a short-term study visa.
As for people enrolling in courses that bear college/university credits, these credits do not mean that you'll then have to enroll in a more extended program at the same university. That doesn't mean that you'll be automatically accepted for degree programs at the university, either. Summer school has no relevance to whether you continue your studies at that university or not.
Financial considerations
It's best to have all the information before flying out. A summer course that lasts at least a month in Oxford, Cambridge or London costs about 6900 euros. Toulouse University's summer school program is more affordable, so count around 990 euros per month, including for a mountain trip. At Hanyang University, your expenses will range between 1040 and 2300 euros, depending on your course. The financial cost could hence be a non-negligible barrier. That's why it's important to take the time to define your goals (language learning, transferable college/university credits, exploring the country, etc.) in order to choose the summer school program that suits you best.
