Short Term Programs for International Students

The Southern Utah University International Affairs Department offers a range of customized short term programs for international students aged 8 and older with groups of 10 students or more. These year round programs usually last 1-3 weeks with the option to last longer when applicable. Our main focus is for international students to improve their English language abilities while at the same time have a fun and engaging learning experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. We encourage students to partake in as many academic and cultural activities as possible while they are learning about the southern Utah region. By participating in the range of activities we have to offer, students will learn more about the American university college experience.

About Short Term Programs

Students at camp.

There are many possibilities to customize a short term program that fits the academic needs and interests of the students. These programs all include cultural, academic, and linguistic opportunities for students who wish to gain American experiences at Southern Utah University and throughout the region.

During the school year, students can audit classes depending on their intended majors or interests. These in-class observations allow students the opportunity to learn more about the American academic classroom setting. During these observations, students can interact with university students and academic professors to learn more about the programs available at SUU. Additionally, we can offer application workshops with the aim of helping students through the college application process. This may include assembling art or photography portfolios, writing college entrance essays, or navigating other pertinent information needed to help prospective international college students as they begin the process of applying to university.

 

Our short term programs, which may be STEM focused, include a variety of activities and workshops for students depending on their interests and future career goals. For example, the customized Aviation short term program includes activities such as access to a flight simulator, helicopter and airplane rides, pilot training, and aircraft maintenance workshops and other aviation related activities. Students have the opportunity to visit the airline company, SkyWest in St George, or take a trip to Seattle to visit the Boeing factory. The NASA Space Center may be another option.

Another short term program is focused on music and youth orchestra. International students will enjoy a rehearsal experience with local musicians and learn different facets of the music industry, such as composing, conducting, music technology, and world music. Additional options include learning about music theory, chamber music, Broadway musical theatre and taking a music hike. Attendees will also participate in an end of course performance by the faculty and students.

Intensive English Instruction will be taught by English Instructors and course curriculum will target the interests of the group. Students will have the opportunity to learn English in small group and classroom settings with a lot of interaction. The classroom setting will be fun and engaging, allowing the students to practice what they learn while they participate in the excursions throughout their trip and program. A variety of workshops may be available relating to the students interest and needs. Various mentors will work closely with the group and participate in and lead activities.

Students have the opportunity to interact with people in the local community, volunteer, and participate in service learning projects. These options may include experiential learning activities and outdoor leadership programs.

Students can participate in numerous local cultural activities and learn more about southern Utah history while studying in our short term programs. They can visit different museums, such as the Frontier Museum, the Fremont Native American Museum, the Dinosaur Museum, and the Southern Utah Museum of Art. Students can also pan for gold, enjoy cowboy cooking, roping, campfire songs, barn dancing, and other western cultural activities. Students may even learn how to make candles and butter, which were once important skills in the American southwest.

Spending time in the outdoors is key to enjoying the southern Utah landscape and environment. Outdoor activities may include visiting local sites like the Parowan Gap, national parks such as Bryce Canyon, Zion, Bryan Head, and Cedar Breaks. Students can explore the southern Utah region and participate in physical activities such as rock climbing, swimming, hiking, camping, kayaking, paddling, road and mountain biking, trail running, fly fishing, scuba diving, sky diving, ATV, Ski, Snowboarding, and horseback riding.

Other options may include excursions to areas outside of southern Utah. For example, students can travel to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Yellowstone, Arches and the Canyonlands National Park. Cities they may want to explore include Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Customized Program Information

Each program varies in cost and will be based on the itinerary that is created and customized to fit the group. The price will include the following:

  • Transportation is provided from the Las Vegas Airport or Los Angeles airport to Cedar City.
  • There will be a wide range of housing options available for students including local HomeStay with American families, dormitories (summer), hotels, or luxury cabins.
  • There are a variety of meal options including American home cooking (HomeStay), Dutch oven dinners, BBQs and picnics, fast food and other local restaurants, and the campus cafeteria are just a few of the possibilities for meals throughout the stay.
  • Access to on-campus SUU facilities include an indoor swimming pool, racquetball, basketball, and volleyball courts, and a rock climbing wall.
  • Day and overnight excursions available and can be a part of the customized itinerary.

Contact

Pool in cavern.

Our short term programs are available throughout the year and we can customize for groups of 10 students or more. We can offer a wide selection of activities related to the group interests. Programs usually last 1-3 weeks, with the option to be longer where applicable. If your school or organization is interested in working with us to develop a short term program, please Contact Us. We look forward to discussing options for your program and answer any questions you might have.