U.S. Study Tour

Each summer, APU International School organizes a tour of the United States for a limited number of students. This tour provides students with first-hand experience of American culture and the education system. Throughout the program, students will:

  • Tour select U.S. universities and interact directly with their faculty and administration.
  • Visit cultural and historic sites in Los Angeles and Orange County, California.
  • Practice and improve their English speaking and listening skills.
  • Broaden their knowledge and understanding of U.S. culture.
  • Reflect on their experiences in group discussions and in writing.

This program provides an exciting opportunity for our students to apply and further develop their existing studies at the school.

Eligibility

The U.S. Study Tour is primarily targeted at students of APU International School but is open to all members of the APU community in good standing and their guests. However, APU reserves the right to deny participation to any program applicant.

Registration

Please check back in February 2010 for registration forms.

Key Dates and Deadlines

The next U.S. Study Tour will run through the beginning of June 2010. Registration forms will be available in January 2010, and completed forms should be submitted to the Student Affairs office no later than April 30th, 2010.

Additional Program details

The U.S. Study Tour typically includes the following destinations, however the final itinerary is subject to change and will be available with the registration form:

  • University tour:

    Students will meet with faculty and administration from:
    • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
    • University of California, Irvine (UCI).
    • California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).
    • Central Washington University (CWU) (only offered in certain years).

  • Cultural tour:

    • Entertainment and tourist destinations including Hollywood, Universal Studios, Disneyland, Sea World, and the Queen Mary ocean liner.
    • Famous Los Angeles-area communities such as Chinatown, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.
    • Key Orange County destinations of Little Saigon, Laguna Beach and South Coast Plaza.

After the trip, each student will be required to complete an essay expressing their thoughts about the trip, and their comments on American high-tech industries and culture.

Each report will be reviewed by an evaluation committee consisting of representatives from APU and other sponsoring U.S. universities and businesses. The top essay writers will be rewarded with a scholarship and entitled to earn academic credit for the experience.