Looking for semester abroad (or just away from MCPS) for a junior.

[Anonymous]

I'm very interested in having my DS attend a semester program away during his junior year. We are looking at the Mountain Institute which involves living and working on an organic farm. I really like this model because the school will create an educational program for him that will keep him on track at MCPS. They only offer honors and AP courses, which works for us. Now DS has decided he might not be so keen on working on a farm so I'm going to need to cast the net a little further. Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge of programs like this? I would prefer one in the US or Canada or but I'm willing to look further abroad. Personally, I think every kid ought to experience working on a farm, if for no other reason than to see where your food comes from!

[Anonymous]

The Island School in the Bahamas

but it is very expensive for a semester (3 month program).

[Anonymous]

I know a number of kids who have done a semester at the Outdoor Academy in their sophomore year. They also take some in their junior year. http://www.enf.org/outdoor_academy/

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but I spent a high school year abroad through a program called "School Year Abroad" - www.sya.org

I spent my year in Spain but they also have programs in China, France, Italy, Spain, Vietnam and Japan. I believe the program in Vietnam is still accepting applications. It was founded by Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass and there are lots of kids that go to the program from elite private schools around the country but also there were kids like me that came from public high school. So they do offer the academics to keep the kids competitive with going back to their schools. At the same time it was a wonderful experience living with a host family and being in a different country. I think the whole experience just made me more self-aware - understanding more behavior that you don't think twice about because you are American but also living with another family. The things your parents may put up with - it's different living with someone that isn't your family. And of course there was the quasi independence of being in a different country without your parents. And I won't lie, living in Spain was great - way better than North Carolina where I was going to high school at the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but I spent a high school year abroad through a program called "School Year Abroad" - www.sya.org

I spent my year in Spain but they also have programs in China, France, Italy, Spain, Vietnam and Japan. I believe the program in Vietnam is still accepting applications. It was founded by Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass and there are lots of kids that go to the program from elite private schools around the country but also there were kids like me that came from public high school. So they do offer the academics to keep the kids competitive with going back to their schools. At the same time it was a wonderful experience living with a host family and being in a different country. I think the whole experience just made me more self-aware - understanding more behavior that you don't think twice about because you are American but also living with another family. The things your parents may put up with - it's different living with someone that isn't your family. And of course there was the quasi independence of being in a different country without your parents. And I won't lie, living in Spain was great - way better than North Carolina where I was going to high school at the time.

Do you know anyone that recently spent a year in China? I think DC would like to spend a semester or less in China. I'm afraid that a year would be too long and difficult. Europe on the other hand would be great!

[Anonymous]

I would bet your child's school has a catalog of opportunities that might interest your son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would bet your child's school has a catalog of opportunities that might interest your son.

Actually that's how I found out about SYA. There was a book at the school that talked about study abroad programs.

As for China for a semester, I know from the website that a semester option is available for Vietnam. I don't know anyone from the other programs but I would imagine if you were serious about applying to SYA you could ask if you could have an alumni speak with u or your son about the experience.

[Anonymous]

How about the Senate Page Program?

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to chime in to say that I did this in high school (granted some 20 years ago) and I wouldn't worry so much about "keeping up" with the academics back here because what your child will gain from the experience is so far beyond academics. I went to Australia, and the school system was set up so differently, there was absolutely no continuity between what I did in Australia and what I had done and went on to do in the US. Academically, it really didn't do much for me, but the experience of going to live in another country, with another family at that age did more to open my world and my mind than any amount of education in the US did for me. Absolutely one of the defining experiences of my life - and similar to what your post suggests, at the time, my main motivation was to get away from DCPS, where I was having an awkward time. But after spending half a year in another country, all the stuff teens tend to worry about seemed so much more insignificant (not to say completely unimportant), and I was so much happier with the rest of my high school experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to chime in to say that I did this in high school (granted some 20 years ago) and I wouldn't worry so much about "keeping up" with the academics back here because what your child will gain from the experience is so far beyond academics. I went to Australia, and the school system was set up so differently, there was absolutely no continuity between what I did in Australia and what I had done and went on to do in the US. Academically, it really didn't do much for me, but the experience of going to live in another country, with another family at that age did more to open my world and my mind than any amount of education in the US did for me. Absolutely one of the defining experiences of my life - and similar to what your post suggests, at the time, my main motivation was to get away from DCPS, where I was having an awkward time. But after spending half a year in another country, all the stuff teens tend to worry about seemed so much more insignificant (not to say completely unimportant), and I was so much happier with the rest of my high school experience.

Wow! Thanks for this feedback PP. This is just the type of info I need to hear. That said, I wish I had done something like this when I was in high school.

[Anonymous]

Check out Chewonki in Maine. Great program. They also have a farm but its not the primary focus of their school but it is about outdoor living skills and strong academics.

[Anonymous]

It allows you to not miss any of the regular academic year activities that you need in order to graduate on time. Students participating in study abroad programs will typically live on or near the college campus and may participate in extra curricular activities. For better info about professional courses you can search Colleges in UK and other countries like USA, New zealand etc