Kyoritsu Summer Enrichment Program
GSE International's Summer Enrichment Program has been offered annually since 1995. The program aims to enhance students' knowledge of the English language and U.S. culture. By focusing on several aspects of American society, the program exposes students to life in urban, suburban, and rural communities in the United States.
Curriculum
The Summer Enrichment Program offers students opportunities to learn inside and outside of the classroom. Educational field trips complement lessons to provide an enriching learning environment in which students improve their English skills while learning about different aspects of American culture.
Program Schedule
Students spend four weeks in the United States. While in Philadelphia, students live in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, a close suburb of Philadelphia. Students also spend one week in the town of Newport in Central Pennsylvania, where students live with host families who introduce them to life in a small American town. The final days of the program are spent in New York City. (Read below to learn more about Philadelphia, Newport, and New York City.)
How do I apply?
Students in Japan are eligible to apply to attend the summer program. Interested students should contact their university.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is located in the State of Pennsylvania on the Eastern Coast of the United States. Philadelphia is a city of great historical significance. Home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, Philadelphia was the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the document that declared America's freedom from British rule. There are many enriching cultural sites in Philadelphia, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, and the Rodin Museum. While in Philadelphia, students reside on the picturesque suburban campus of Bryn Mawr College. With its classic architecture and lush greenery, students experience a traditional American university environment. Classes are held on the campus of both Bryn Mawr College and the University of Pennsylvania, a premier Ivy League university and the administrative base of the program.
Newport, PA
Students spend one week with families in Central Pennsylvania, in and around the town of Newport. Newport offers students a chance to experience rural America and small town life. There are a full range of activities for students in Newport, all of which are designed to introduce students to this unique slice of American culture. Students learn about the foundations of rural life, land and farming by spending a morning on an active farm. Rural diversity is explored with a visit to nearby Amish communities to learn about Amish history and culture. Students also learn to make traditional crafts and learn about state government with a visit to Harrisburg, the state capital. During their stay in Newport, students live with host families who are all members of a local church. Students experience how a rural American family lives from what they eat for dinner to how they spend their days. Past students have enjoyed the host family experience tremendously.
Sightseeing in New York City or Washington, D.C.
The final days of the program are spent in either New York City or Washington, D.C., New York City is the largest city in the U.S. and home to much of the country's commerce and culture. While in cosmopolitan Manhattan or historical Washington, D.C., students reside in a centrally located hotel, enabling them easy access to activities and sites. New York sightseeing may include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the United Nations building, the Broadway theatre district, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the New York Stock Exchange. Sightseeing in Washington, D.C., may include sites such as the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Smithsonian museum.
Listen to What Students Say
For more information, visit the web site originally created by the 1999 Summer Enrichment Program students.
For More Information
If you are interested in learning more about the Penn GSE's Summer Enrichment Program, please GSE's International Programs Office. We look forward to hearing from you!