Okay, I admit it. I probably caught myself staring out the window daydreaming about being somewhere else more often than usual in 2020 and 2021, so with 2022 in view, you can be sure I’m getting back out on the road and up in the air! The only question is, “Where to?”
I can’t think of anywhere better than sunny California! And it turns out that there’s a summer program that lets you earn college credit and get a suntan at the same time. Sound too good to be true? Well that’s California for you!
California State University Northridge (CSUN) has just introduced a new Summer at CSUN program offering either 6 or 12 credits in a large variety of subjects. Designed specifically for international students, you can enter the U.S. on an F-1 student visa and take in-person classes while living on campus.
Located about 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills, you’ll be completely immersed in the California lifestyle. You’ll be able to take classes in the morning with notable professors at one of the largest public universities in America, and in the afternoon you can chill out in Malibu, Santa Monica, or Venice Beach.
If you want to spend an unforgettable summer in L.A. California having fun and earning college credits, then be sure to fill in the form and register your interest now.
Who is eligible for the Summer at CSUN program?
In short, almost anyone! One of the best things about this program is that you can customise it to make it work for you – no matter what your interests and academic goals are.
For students just finishing high school
How great would it feel to start university in autumn and already have 6 credits to your name? That’s like having 2 classes already done before you’ve even started university!
By enrolling on CSUN’s Summer program, you’ll be able to earn 6 credits for every 6 weeks of study, and you can choose to either take core courses such as history, math or science or you can take a course to “try a degree on for size”. In this way, if you aren’t sure what to major in at university, you can try an introductory level class in a topic you are curious about.
Alternatively, you might spot a program on CSUN’s list that really captures your interest, so you can study something you love while having a mini gap year experience in sunny Los Angeles.
For current undergraduate students
Who doesn’t love a bit of variety? Imagine spending your summer or winter break earning credits that count towards your degree, but doing it at a different university for a whole new experience. As a well-respected international university, CSUN’s courses are recognised by institutions all over the world, so the credits you take with them can be applied to your current degree program (ask the CSUN team for more details when you apply).
For students who already have an undergraduate degree
If you’re starting a master’s or postgraduate degree in the fall, then CSUN’s program can be a great springboard to get you into an academic mindset in advance – especially if you took some time to gain work experience in between your undergrad and postgrad studies.
“I used what I learned at CSUN. I also had an economics class so I could understand more about companies from other countries and how things are done in the United States.” - - Kelvi Oliveira from São Paulo, Brazil
Start dates and requirements to study in L.A.
CSUN is running its 2022 summer sessions starting on May 31 and July 13. Each 6-week session awards 6 credits, so if you enrol in both, you could earn 12 credits and have a full summer experience! The minimum entry requirements for the Summer at CSUN program are as follows:
- You must be at least 18 years old and have completed high school by the time the program starts.
- You need a 2.0 minimum grade point average (GPA) for university or high school courses (based on a 4.0 grading system or equivalent).
- You have to meet the English language proficiency requirement for undergraduate students: a 61 on TOEFL iBT or 6.0 on IELTS (some country-specific equivalencies are also accepted).
Do you fit that description? Then click here to fill in the form!
Live on campus at a top university in California
During the Summer at CSUN program, you’ll be able to live on campus in CSUN’s student housing, which not only saves you the hassle of having to find a place to live, it also helps you become truly immersed in the L.A. college experience. Living in university housing also gives you easy access to all the campus facilities such as swimming pools, sports courts, a game room, a computer lab, library, indoor and outdoor lounge areas, a dining hall and a coffee house.
While some college campuses are quiet during the summer, in Los Angeles there’s always a party somewhere! CSUN has a regular social program of hosted activities (such as pool parties and movie nights) just for international students to help you make new friends, improve your language skills in an English-speaking environment, and adjust to American culture.
CSUN’s student dormitories are secure, gated buildings with keycard access and all apartments come furnished with Wi-Fi, cable TV, and laundry facilities plus you can add on a flexible meal plan.
A summer like no other
With a short-term course like Summer at CSUN, you can earn college credits quickly in a relatively stress-free fashion. By taking just two courses at once, you can focus on a condensed workload and you won’t feel overwhelmed juggling a variety of classes simultaneously. You’ll be able to balance your study schedule and still have plenty of free time during the week for sightseeing and socialising.
And what about the weekends? They’re made for exploring!
City breaks
Imagine taking classes during the week and spending a weekend in Las Vegas, or hopping down to San Diego, or up to San Francisco, Seattle or over to Phoenix for a few days of vacation.
You can even find cheap, fast flights to New York City, Chicago or Miami for a long weekend.
Love hiking?
Being about 30 minutes from the beach, you can stroll along promenades and silky sand any time, but if you’re in the mood for variety, then you don’t need to go too far. You can take a day trip to famous national parks like Joshua Tree or Death Valley, or stand at the foot of the mightiest trees in the world at the Sequoia National Forest.
Go a little further and spend a few nights in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world at the Grand Canyon or among the famous red rocks and coral pink sand dunes of Utah.
In just 6 weeks, you’ll return home with 6 university credits and memories galore of your time both on campus and exploring all the best sites the West Coast has to offer, or even tick off all your American bucket list adventures!
Get started now because summer will be here before you know it! Fill in the form and get ready to spend your next summer in sunny California!
