Community Service - Part of American culture is volunteerism - helping within the community. Participants will have the opportunity to join with various organizations in the Wilmington area to learn what this is all about. Sometimes this means helping one individual, and other times it means doing something to serve many. Examples of possible partnering organizations: Sugartree Ministries; local homeless shelter; Habitat for Humanity; Humane Society.
Job Shadowing- For participants with higher level English skills, or Phase II students. Individuals will be matched according to their interests and career ambitions at one of the business establishments available to our group. Examples of possible assignments: General Denver historical hotel; one of the departments at Wilmington College.
Conversation Club - The Conversation club will support the ESL curriculum and bring students together with like-age individuals from the local community for fun activities and conversations. This could include interaction with the middle school International Club members for younger students and time with high school Foreign Language Club and Student Council members for older youth. Adult participants would meet with members of a community interest group.
Peer Liaisons - American students with friendly personalities and leadership abilities have been chosen to help our international students with specific questions and concerns related to adjustment and American culture. They may help with curiosities about current fashion trends, or how to cope in social situations, and would be part of the Conversation Club programs. Liaisons can be arranged for adult participants with established need and upon request.
Cultural Orientation Workshops - Many of our younger students will go on to cultural exchange experiences where they will live with American families and attend American schools. These situations will require preparation on how to interact within their new settings. Topics include the American host family, American schools, personal hygiene, cultural interaction, slang language, peer pressure, value of the American dollar -- the essential tools of functioning in their social atmosphere. These topics will be approached through fun and educational activities. In short, those participants will be prepared to move on to any new American environment!
** Note: college/university students will participate sessions customized to their interests and interact with peers of their own age group.
Field Trips - While the ESL Programs are designed to help students perfect their English skills and, in some cases, prepare for future American culture experiences, they should also be fun! Weekend days will be reserved for adventuring to exciting and interesting sites within a day's drive. Possible excursions might include visits to the National Underground Railroad Museum and Freedom Center, the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum Center and IMAX, a hike at an area park or a day at the theater to see a play or musical. During the week, we might head to the City Buildings to tour the Police Department and meet with the Mayor's staff, to the book store to mee with a local author, or enjoy a performance featuring some of our local talent.
Recreational Activities at the YMCA - The Wilmington YMCA is directly adjacent to the Wilmington College campus with some shared facilities. Students will have access to the swimming pool each week day at a designated time. The Y also offers programs and activities participants may choose to explore at their own expense. That menu of choices would be available upon arrival to the campus.
Extra-Curricular Options - Several talented people from the community have come forward to offer participants opportunities to explore new activities. We encourage participation in these courses - not only does it provide for a more rewarding program experience, but it enhances the students' language learning and can equip them with skills useful in a cultural exchange setting. A menu of unique choices will be available that range from American cooking, Candy Making, Newswriting, a variety of musical explorations, sports clinics, and even caving. Fees will include necessary materials. An excursion to Kings Island Amusement Park may be on this list depending on the season. If there is a particular activity a student wishes to pursue that is not listed, we will work to facilitate the request, so please ask.
Holiday with an American Family - July 4th is our Indepence Day, the day that Americans celebrate their pride and enthusiasm for their country and freedom. Every community celebrates in a slightly different manner, though across the country the theme of Red, White, and Blue is consistent, as well as barbeques and cookouts, community events and concerts, and fireworks displays. The winter season offers holidays such as Martin Luther King Day, Valentine's Day, an others. Participants will be put in pairs or small groups to spend a day with a local family. Each family will be screened and interviewed and will need to show genuine interest our participants and their purpose while here. The American families will allow their new friends to take part in their plans for the day with intention for them to experience what their family, the local community, and possibly areas around us have to offer, including the grand finale of the day: community fireworks (summer program). This will also be an opportunity for participants to experience foods in a setting other than the campus cafeteria.
** Note: These experiences are customized and possible only upon availability.
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