When on a Global Summers Academy program, you will have the opportunity to explore some amazing locations while learning experientially! On my program to London and the Greek Islands doing English, I learnt that it’s important to experience the location you’re in, but also to stay on top of your work so it doesn’t pile up. Global Summers Academy programs build valuable life skills, such as time-management, independence and studying
wherever you might find yourself. Learning doesn’t stop when you step outside the classroom – so here’s how to study on the go!
My first tip would be to arrive prepared! Bring pencils, pens, and a highlighter if you wish. Don’t forget some paper, your laptop, and any materials your teacher asks you to bring. A pro tip: make sure to download any notes, videos or lessons before heading on the road!
Secondly, make sure to use your free time to get work done efficiently – don’t procrastinate! There are amazing things to see and memories to make. Getting work done ahead of time means you’ll have more time to spend exploring, instead of assignments piling up.
Thirdly, study with your friends and classmates! Everyone is in the same boat (sometimes literally) so make sure to talk out concepts you want to learn more about or are confused about with your new friends. Get classmates to review your work, too! Having another set of eyes on your project might help you come up with new ideas. Also, you can always ask your teacher for help: if you have questions, are confused, or need any extra
support, your teachers are there to help you succeed!
Next, spend time on buses, ferries, or planes finishing up projects or homework – that way, when you get to your destination, you can focus on exploring! When studying in transit, it’s a good idea to bring noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds, and download music or soundtracks you like to listen to while studying. For example, if you like to listen to ambient noise while working, you can block out the chatter of your surroundings, listen to ambient noise, and focus on your work!
Make sure to get good sleep, hydrate and eat well, especially if you’re moving between time zones. This will allow you to be more focused and have more brain power for some incredible learning experiences! Moreover, waking up early to finish up work is super helpful – you get an early start to your day, and can make the most of your time travelling.
Finally, applying your location to your work is an amazing way of delving deeper into its culture! Download videos to deepen your knowledge on new concepts you’re covering – it could help you extend your understanding and find more connections to your course work! Watching the local news can also help make connections between your course and the country (or countries!) that you’re exploring! In my English program for example, I connected studies of current events in Greece to the myths we studied in class. Using your own experiences is another great way to appreciate and apply some of the awesome memories you’ve made!
You will have so much fun and learn so much on your Global Summers Academy program, no matter what subject you explore or location you visit! Make sure to implement some of these tips for some excellent ease of studying. Happy travels!
Thank you to Student Ambassador Kayleigh E. for writing this blog post!
