I gathered some questions that some of you might have about the summer camps. So, I hope that you will understand that going in such a camp will help you a lot, not only for the language abilities but also for your personality.
WHAT WILL ATRACT YOU TO GO IN A SUMMER CAMP ? For me the best things that you can gain from a summer camp are the experience of being alone in a foreign country and of course the new friends that you are making. You will feel like you know them for 5 years but you have just met them 2 weeks ago! This feeling with international friends makes me feel amazing, maybe because of my addiction with international staff and global problems. I am a world citizen!!! What can I do? Still my opinion is that everyone must have at least 5 international friends, you never know what you can learn from them. I have to mention that most of the times this summer program aim to teach you not only the language but also the local civilization and the everyday life. Finally the most powerful advantage is that you practice a new language in a fun way with many activities. |
WHAT IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE AGE TO GO IN SUCH A PROGRAM ? The most appropriate age for me (for every country) is when you have a good level on english, that means that you have the Lower Certificate in english. So the best age to start going in summer camps is around 13-14. If you are younger you may face problems with the communication, because it is very difficult to learn a new language in 2 weeks. You go WHAT LANGUAGE DO YOU SPEAK ? Wherever you will go you will speak english! Why? Because everyone goes in a foreign country to practice the language that they don't know pretty well, so don't expect to speak nothing else than english. On the other hand, the leaders and the teachers won;t speak you english. Ever. Maybe they do this on purpose, but that's fun and of course this helps you practice the language. |
CAPITAL CITY OR ANOTHER CITY?
According my last trip, Ι believe that you should choose the ''other city'', because it can give you the opportunity to live the simple life. On the other hand if you choose the capital, get ready for loads of museums and attractions. Int he other city get ready for parties, adventures, excursions etc.
My personal experience:
I am really happy that I haven't chosen Paris and I chose Montpellier (a not so famous city in South France). In Montpellier we had a lot of alternative activities and most of the times we could go everywhere on foot. If you had to chose one city what would you do? A safe choice ( the capital) or an unknown city? I doubted if other people would think about Montpellier or I would just be with 2 more people there! Comparing my last experience in France with last year in London, I noticed that in London there were many organized groups from 1 country and they followed their own schedule. So we didn;t have the chance to mix the groups and find neew friends. This year we didn't have things like that: all the people were 1 group!
According my last trip, Ι believe that you should choose the ''other city'', because it can give you the opportunity to live the simple life. On the other hand if you choose the capital, get ready for loads of museums and attractions. Int he other city get ready for parties, adventures, excursions etc.
My personal experience:
I am really happy that I haven't chosen Paris and I chose Montpellier (a not so famous city in South France). In Montpellier we had a lot of alternative activities and most of the times we could go everywhere on foot. If you had to chose one city what would you do? A safe choice ( the capital) or an unknown city? I doubted if other people would think about Montpellier or I would just be with 2 more people there! Comparing my last experience in France with last year in London, I noticed that in London there were many organized groups from 1 country and they followed their own schedule. So we didn;t have the chance to mix the groups and find neew friends. This year we didn't have things like that: all the people were 1 group!
SHOULD YOU GO WITH A FRIEND OR ALONE ? DO YOU HAVE TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY YOUR FAMILY OR BE ALONE ?
In both questions my answer is NO. There is the fear that you will be just with your friend and you will not try to make new international friends. The main target of these camps is to socialize teenagers and push them making new friends. It will be difficult at first but... KEEP ON TRYING, don't choose the easy way!
Now about your parents...I would advise you to go alone, because a summer camp is a totally safe and controled place. But if you go in another continent, then your parents could make a tour in the country while you are in the camp.
RESIDENCE OR HOST FAMILY ?
Both are quite important. In the residence is sure that you will have a lot of fun, because you will be with your new friends and you will have free time to play cards and games or gather in a room and watch movies. Certainly you will not do these things with a host family, but still there are a lot of fun things to do with them. Spend the evenings on playing board games and dancing...Don't forget that you will practice the foreign language much better than you would do in the Residence with your friends! The choice is up to you!!!
In both questions my answer is NO. There is the fear that you will be just with your friend and you will not try to make new international friends. The main target of these camps is to socialize teenagers and push them making new friends. It will be difficult at first but... KEEP ON TRYING, don't choose the easy way!
Now about your parents...I would advise you to go alone, because a summer camp is a totally safe and controled place. But if you go in another continent, then your parents could make a tour in the country while you are in the camp.
RESIDENCE OR HOST FAMILY ?
Both are quite important. In the residence is sure that you will have a lot of fun, because you will be with your new friends and you will have free time to play cards and games or gather in a room and watch movies. Certainly you will not do these things with a host family, but still there are a lot of fun things to do with them. Spend the evenings on playing board games and dancing...Don't forget that you will practice the foreign language much better than you would do in the Residence with your friends! The choice is up to you!!!
HOW YOU CAN GO THERE ?
The best way is by airplane, but if the camp isn't in the capital you should choose to go in the capital by plane and then take a train to go at the camp. That could be cheaper than go directly by plane. Now, about your arrival in the station or in the airport, you can arrange with the camp to come and pick you up with a little cost (30-50 euros).
WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST FOR THE CAMP ?
The cost depends on 3 things :
TOTAL: around 1.500 euros (there are some exceptions like in Oxford University => 4.000
*The prices are for 2 weeks *
Experience the life in a summer camp, because it totally worth it to do it once in your life...
The best way is by airplane, but if the camp isn't in the capital you should choose to go in the capital by plane and then take a train to go at the camp. That could be cheaper than go directly by plane. Now, about your arrival in the station or in the airport, you can arrange with the camp to come and pick you up with a little cost (30-50 euros).
WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST FOR THE CAMP ?
The cost depends on 3 things :
- Accomodation - Food => 800 euros
- Lessons - Activities => 500-800 euros
- Transportation from the airport/station => 30-50 euros
TOTAL: around 1.500 euros (there are some exceptions like in Oxford University => 4.000
*The prices are for 2 weeks *
Experience the life in a summer camp, because it totally worth it to do it once in your life...