California College of the Arts
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Summer ESL & Studio Art Program

For International Students

CCA’s Summer ESL and Art Studio program is a six-week program that introduces international students to CCA and the San Francisco Bay Area while improving their English language skills. Many international students discover they require additional language support to succeed at an American college. Some students have to take an extra semester or two in order to graduate.

Enrolling in the Summer ESL and Art Studio program can facilitate how quickly students advance in their college-level English courses and become better equipped to participate fully in their studio courses. Participants earn three college credits.

Other benefits:

  • Refine your English-language skills in an art studio setting. At CCA’s San Francisco campus, students work on improving their English-language skills, including reading, writing, and discussing art, design, and architecture.
  • Participants receive one-on-one, English-language tutoring. Students work with CCA graduate writing students who have been trained as mentors. Previous program participants have really enjoyed this opportunity to work individually with American students.
  • Participate in your first American art studio. Students also engage in four one-week art projects that culminate in Friday critique sessions. These projects develop skills that will help students succeed in the American studio classroom, including how to talk about their work and how to participate in group critiques. The program concludes with an informal exhibition of the students’ work.
  • Explore San Francisco and the Bay Area. In order to experience the San Francisco Bay Area fully, students will be doing extensive walking, as well as riding various modes of transportation, including San Francisco’s famous cable cars. (Wearing comfortable walking shoes is a must.)

Students visit historic San Francisco Bay Area landmarks:

  • Coit Tower
  • Ferry Building / Farmers' Market
  • Fisherman’s Wharf
  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Golden Gate Park (including the Japanese Tea Garden and Conservatory of Flowers)
  • Lombard Street
  • Muir Woods
  • Sutro Baths

The program also includes visiting highly regarded museums:

  • Asian Art Museum
  • Cartoon Museum
  • de Young Museum
  • Exploratorium
  • Jewish Contemporary Museum
  • California Palace of the Legion of Honor
  • Musée Mécanique
  • San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

While exploring the Bay Area, students gain practical skills, such as how to open a bank account and how to use public transportation systems and libraries. By participating in the program, participants also find that they have made lasting friendships and have become part of a community that eased their transition into the college.

Program Dates:

July 13–August 21, 2009

Housing check-in: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Housing checkout: Sunday, August 23, 2009

Arrival / Airport Information: Plan to arrive at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Saturday, July 11, 2009. A CCA representative will meet incoming students at the airport to oversee their transportation to the residence hall by shuttle bus. Additional information will be sent by email to registered students.

Location/Housing: The program takes place on CCA’s San Francisco campus with students housed in a student residence hall located in downtown San Francisco. The residence hall is situated in a dynamic neighborhood that is walking distance from the Union Square shopping district.

Each room (double occupancy) is fully furnished, including a small refrigerator, microwave, cable television, and wireless Internet access. Students also have access to a community kitchen, laundry room, and lounge. (Note: although meals are not included with housing, many inexpensive restaurants and cafes are conveniently located nearby.)

Program Fee: $3,995
Fee includes:

  • tuition for three units of college credit
  • summer registration fee
  • excursion expenses
  • tutoring

Fee does not include:

  • airfare and transportation to/from airport
  • housing
  • meals
  • books / art supplies ($100, approximately)

Housing Fee (double occupancy): $1,160

Enrollment & Payment Information
Enrollment is limited and determined on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in enrolling in the summer program, please contact Shiraz Chavan in Enrollment Services.

Please note: a $300 enrollment deposit is required to secure your place in the program.

Although the Summer ESL and Art Studio program is designed for incoming CCA students, students who will be attending another U.S. college art program in the fall are welcome to enroll on a space-available basis.

Tuition Balance Deadline: May 15, 2009
The full tuition balance ($3,695) is due on or before May 15, 2009. A late fee of $100 will be charged in the event that the balance is received after May 15. Please note that failure to submit the tuition balance on or before May 15 may lead to the loss of the student’s place in the program.

Refund / Withdrawal Policy: Students who withdraw on or before June 1, 2009, will receive a 50 percent refund ($1,997.50). After June 1, 2009, no tuition refunds are issued. All withdrawal requests must be written and postmarked on or before June 1, 2009.

I-20 document for F-1 student visa: Students are required to submit the CCA I-20 Request Form and all required financial documentation in order to receive the I-20 document required for the student visa interview at the U.S. embassy. (The I-20 Request Form and additional information about how to apply for your F-1 visa is available online.)

Students should plan ahead and make appointments to have their visa interview in May or June 2009. For more information and to make an appointment for a visa interview, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Additional information:

Enrollment Services Office
California College of the Arts
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107

Email: Shiraz Chavan
Phone: 415.703.9520 or 800.447.1278
Fax: 415.703.9539

Slideshow

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At Crissy Field en route to the Golden Gate Bridge

Additional information:

Enrollment Services
CCA
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107

Email: Shiraz Chavan
Phone: 415.703.9520 or 800.447.1278
Fax: 415.703.9539