Summer programmes allow children to pursue their interests while encouraging independence and exposing them to different cultures
Gone are the days when children spent their summer holidays whiling away time parked in front of a TV screen for days on end or frolicking at a countryside home by a lake. With the competitive nature of university applications, it’s become increasingly important for students to use their summers as an opportunity for advancement.
And while for some parents this is more of a CV-building opportunity to pad university applications with attendance at programmes at brand-name colleges, that’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the enrichment that summer programmes can provide.
See also: Hong Kong Tatler Schools Guide
1. Choice and customisation
There is an almost limitless choice of programmes, though frequently with acceptance rules that are not as stringent as they could be. It’s easy to send your child to Cambridge, for example, except that many of the courses that take place on its campus aren’t endorsed by the university and are run by external parties.
“One should be aware that many UK programmes are not run by the schools or the universities, which simply lend the space for rental,” cautions Jennifer Ma, the co-founder of admissions adviser ARCH Education.
“For example, there are many Oxford and Cambridge summer courses, but they differ by pedagogy, academic rigour and faculty quality. So conducting some research and seeking former pupils’ or third-party consultants’ advice may be helpful. It’s important to tailor the summer programme to the individual student. Our team works together to review the student’s academic interests, hobbies and overall profile to come up with tailored recommendations that suit that student’s individual needs.”
