During the high school years, teens often find that planning out their summers with productive and meaningful experiences provide them with an opportunity to grow, build self confidence and develop important life skills. This is the time of year to start thinking about what interests you — and researching to find out more about what is out there.
Interesting summer projects can allow a teen to:
• Explore or further pursue a passion or interest
• Live away from home to increase independence
• Delve deeply into an academic or language subject not possible during the year
• Challenge him/herself in a new area of opportunity
• Take on a leadership role
• Improve in a particular subject
• Explore possible college majors and careers
• Experience a potential college they are considering attending
It seems fitting, on the heels of the horrific earthquake tragedy in Haiti that has touched all of us, to start a College Corner Teen Summer Program Series of posts with a focus on community service.
I interviewed a few students from the local area on service programs they completed over the past summers. They attend Millburn High School or Columbia High School in Maplewood; one student graduated Millburn High School and now attends Oberlin College in Ohio.
At the core of each of their experiences was a desire to work with and help other people — not to build a college resume. Their travels took them to Dominica, Mississippi, Montana and Alaska.
Janine Miller of Short Hills said that her trip to Dominica “drastically changed my outlook on life. Experiencing the warmth of their culture caused me to change from the inside, out.”
“I learned,” she said, “despite what other students in my highly competitive school would say, that educational success is not the most important aspect of life. Grades don’t show character, personality or demonstrate how one can affect the world, whereas the extracurricular deeds and activities one partakes in can make a tremendous difference in the world. However, more effort in school and better grades can create more options and opportunities.”
“One of the key values I took away from my experience in Dominica is learning to push myself to the limit when facing adversity and difficulty. This skill has kicked in when it comes to school as I’ve had to overcome the extreme pressures and difficulties that school has thrown at me, especially during junior year,” she said.
“In Dominica, I discovered a different side of myself, something I greatly value now,” she wrote. “I learned to take nothing for granted, from a freshly picked mango to the bucket showers we took. I got to know myself out of my comfort zone, my town, and my life at home. Soon this different place, with such a unique culture, became a place I was comfortable, and now call my second home.”
Amanda Jacir, who graduated from Millburn High School and is now a freshman at Oberlin College, gained similar insights during a trip to Montana: “The summer I spent in Montana confirmed how I feel about the importance of hard work and communication, both humbling experiences. I didn’t consciously apply what I learned from that trip to the college application process, but ultimately I chose a college that promotes the same values. Oberlin’s motto ‘Learning and Labor’ concisely describes my summer experience.”
Hannah Epstein, a junior at Columbia High School, shares her lessons from working with the North Gulfport Youth Council in North Gulfport, Miss., during the summer of 2008: “My experience in Mississippi let me learn more about myself. When we arrived they said that we were going to be building an observation deck with a 70-foot handicap ramp. I thought this was impossible, and it could never be accomplished. Working as a team, we were able to complete it on our very last day in Mississippi.”
Hannah said one thing she valued in her program was the diversity of the participants, who came from many states and even other countries: France, Germany, Taiwan, China and Peru, she said. As such, she said, “In the college searching that I have done this year, diversity has played a major role; I realized that I want to go somewhere with a diverse group of people.”
Moreover, she looks back on her experience with pride, she said: “I never thought that I would be able to paint a mural, help a community in need, build an observation deck with a 70-foot handicap ramp, and have such a great time with new people.” She added: “When I look back at my experience it almost seems unreal, and I can’t believe that we accomplished so much as a team.”
Hillary Hersh, a senior at Columbia High School, shares her insights on her summer service experience in Alaska:
“Climbing a glacier, milling lumber, surviving a 10 mile hike … before my Alaska summer, had you asked me to participate in any of these activities, my reaction would have been, ‘You’ve got to be kidding. Call me when you’re done!’ During that summer, not only did I learn to challenge myself to do things out of my comfort zone, I also discovered that I was good at things that I would never have even considered trying before. Each new success gave me the confidence to try the next challenge — including eating grilled beaver and moose!”
With those experiences and insights in mind, here are a few tips for selecting a summer teen service program:
Parents: Empower your teens; let them take the initiative and undertake the research and due diligence. I have found from my 15 years of consulting with families on the right summer programs that those students who are most engaged in the planning process take ownership, leading to the most valuable summer learning and growth. But do make sure to investigate housing, safety, supervision and medical environments that you are comfortable with for your teen.
Teens: Do something that pushes you to grow beyond your comfort zone, yet does not encourage you to take on responsibilities and/or activities that are truly beyond your abilities. Speak with other teens that experienced the program and specific trip; ensure their needs and interests as well as activity and social insights parallel yours. Be especially sensitive to housing, food, culture, physical challenges and climate situations that you can live with. Remember to adhere to program requirements; many offer limited enrollment and have strict deadlines.
Written by Jill Tipograph for The New York Times College Corner on January 26, 2010
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