Throughout the months of June, July, and August, all colleges in the US enter summer vacation. After weeks of cramping work and studying hard for final exams and writing papers, students are excited for summer to come. There are many things students can do during summer. For international students, its more fun because students can finally see their family after a long time! Many first year students fly back home and relax for the whole summer while second year students start taking summer courses in different schools or do internships in the states or in their home countries. Third year students usually start their research for their thesis paper for graduation and do internships as well. Then finally, fourth year students look for grad schools and job opportunities around the world.
Three months may seem very short, but it is very long. In three months, you can travel around with friends, go shopping, or just relax. You can also go earn money with different jobs or look for internships in the states. However, realistically speaking, looking for internships and jobs is very difficult for us internationals because our student F-1 visas do not allow us to do so. Many of us do not have social security numbers as well. But doing an internship in your own home country is fine no need to worry about social security numbers, visas etc. Internships are important because it looks good on your resumes.
Other than internships, students can do summer courses to boost up your GPA (grade point average). During summer, courses are offered during the night time and the duration of each classes are longer than what we normally get in fall/spring semesters. Many students say that summer courses are usually easier than regular semesters too, but that is for you to find out and decide. Then depending on different schools, there are study abroad programs during summer and many students go abroad to study and/or collect data for their research which they will need for their thesis paper.
Summers are usually boring if theres nothing eventful. But by making it exciting and occupied by work, summer schools, travelling, summer will not be as boring! Its best to make the best out of every second because once youre enjoying summer, the three months is going to zoom away and before you know it, youre on your flight back to the states. So enjoy every second of your summer and just simply, have fun!
