Summer vacation is quickly approaching and, with so much time to spare, it can be difficult to decide how to spend it. Luckily, a variety of organizations offer summer programs for high school students. The following list may help you plan your summer.

Study Abroad

Two months of vacation provides the opportunity to travel. You’ll be able to see and experience the cultures of other countries. Travel abroad may give you a chance to hone a second language. Organizations like Abbey Road offer opportunities to study language in France, Italy, Spain and Greece. Although these programs can be expensive, some offer financial aid to qualified applicants. Keep in mind that programs that offer academic credit are more expensive.

Programs to consider: International Studies Abroad (www.studiesabroad.com), Abbey Road (http://www.goabbeyroad.com)

Travel with an Organization

If you want to travel, you should consider going with a student organization. Student travel programs like People to People, which sends representatives to Stuyvesant yearly, can be advantageous: attendees are grouped by age and the experience is more organized as a whole. Tuition for these programs usually covers the cost of housing, student tours and travel fees.

Programs to consider:
People to People (www.studentambassadors.org),
World Learning (www.worldlearning.org)

Apply for an Internship

Many businesses hire students as interns during the summer. An internship can give you a head start in the business world. Try to find a business you’re interested in. Although obtaining a position as an intern may be challenging, you may have better luck with smaller offices. An internship will improve your resume, and help in future job interviews. Most internships are unpaid, some offer stipends, and a select few are paid.

Places to look:
Career Explorations (http://www.ceinternships.com/home.asp), Collegeboard.com (http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/8382.html)

Volunteer

Summer vacation gives you time to help your community. Many organizations need extra help from volunteers, especially in the summer. Volunteer positions can be found in local businesses and out-of-state conservation parks. Many national parks are restored during the summer by volunteers. While some programs require tuition for housing, programs like Landmark Volunteers link high school students to volunteer positions at summer camps and national parks. Landmark Volunteers only requires that applicants deal with their own travel expenses.

In light of the upcoming presidential election, you may want to consider getting involved in a candidate’s campaign. High school students can help out local campaign officers by making phone calls and working with databases.

Programs to consider: Landmark Volunteers (www.volunteers.com), Visions (www.visionsserviceadventures.com)

SAT Tutoring

If you didn’t have time to prepare for SATs or SAT IIs over the school year, summer schools can help you prepare for standardized exams in the fall. While more school might not seem too appealing in the summer, extra studying will prove worthwhile when taking the SATs. Try to attend a class before signing up to see how you like the teachers and the course in general. Don’t depend solely on appearances; ask previous students how well the teachers prepared them and about the work load.

Programs to consider:
The Princeton Review (www.princetonreview.com), Ivybound (www.ivybound.net), Brownstone Tutors (www.brownstonetutors.com)

Arts and Music

While the school year may not give you enough time to pursue your interests in art and music, summer vacation gives you a perfect opportunity to do so. If you are already a semi-accomplished musician, consider auditioning for Interlocken, Aspen, or Kinhaven. These programs will show colleges that your hobby is not only a pastime, but also a skill. For more affordable options, many community colleges offer programs for amateurs. Some programs offer competitive scholarships.

Programs to consider: Interlocken Center for the Arts (www.interlocken.org), Aspen Music Festival and School (www.aspenmusicfestival.com), Kinhaven Music School (www.kinhaven.org), The Walden School Summer Camp and Summer Music Festival (www.waldenschool.org), Brooklyn Academy of Music (www.bam.org)

Pre-College Programs

Attending a summer program at a college you’re interested in helps show that college how interested you are. There are many types of pre-college programs. While some courses for upperclassmen offer school credit, they tend to be very expensive.

If you choose to live on-campus, you can experience parts of college life. Although residential programs are usually more expensive, dorm life gives you a sense of responsibility and freedom. Furthermore, you’ll be able to meet students from around the country and, in some cases, the world.

Programs to consider:
Yale Summer School (www.yale.edu/summer/courses/index.html),
Summer Studies at Brown (www.brown.edu/Administration/Continuing_Studies), Columbia Summer Program (www.columbiasummerprogram.org)

Whether you’re a freshman or junior, a summer spent pursuing your interests will improve your college applications. Work should not completely interfere with your vacation, but why not use the time productively?