January & February 2006

New in January & February

February is a great time to explore your summer options, as many programs are posting notifications now, and many fill up quickly. Whether you are thinking about working locally, volunteering, interning, spending time with family, studying, or traveling, the possibilities are limitless. Many programs offer financial aid and you don’t need to spend a lot of money to make your summer meaningful. Read more about where to start and check here for suggestions from our previous newsletters.

Are you interested in interning for a business or agency in Seattle? Consider contacting people you know locally either through school, family or friends. Many companies do not have official programs but are willing to support a student who has an interest in becoming involved. For the most successful response, take some time to research the company or agency and understand what they do.

For information on volunteering in Seattle and across the country, go to Volunteer Match and search for age-appropriate opportunities. You might also try contacting an agency in which you have an interest and ask if you can help in any way.

Consider attending a program on a college campus, possibly one on your list. This is a great way to learn more about the college, meet students from other schools, and study something new. Many colleges offer these programs for high school students. Here are a few to help you get started:

Sarah Lawrence Summer Writers Workshop
Colorado College offers a variety of courses and programs
Tufts and Washingtong State University offer a variety of programs including those for students considering veterinary medicine
Georgetown (above photo) offers programs in international relations and business among others
Get a head start on your film portfolio with the Duke Program offered on the campus of Chapman in Orange, California
How about research? Northwestern Summer Research in Astrophysics
University of Washington programs for high school students
University of Oregon summer architecture program Ê
USC program including a variety of course options

Other programs for summer include:

Students interested in archaeology may want to consider this field program
Landmark Volunteers and The Student Conservation Association offer community service in a variety of settings across the country
Are you interested in theater? Consider a local, regional or international experience
Summer programs for students with learning disabilities and those wanting to improve skills or earn course credit
Programs for those interested in being an intern in Washington DC
Putney programs (photo right) in global community service, languages and other travel opportunities
The Oxbridge Programs at Oxford, Cambridge and Paris
Glimpses of China
Creative Writing at St. Andrews in Scotland

See the January & February newsletter for more new information.