This past summer i attended ASA at stanford. This was the best summer experience i have ever had. I live in connecticut, and i loved the California atmosphere. I got to and from stanford by plane, however depending how close you live different arrangments can be made. Communication was not a problem, i was able to call my friends and family whenever i wanted (with a calling card) and i was even able to go online. I would also like to say that many people thought that stanford had a school like environment and would not be fun. However it was nothing like that , ASA defenitly had camp like environment (wihtout the bunks, cheers, colorwar etc.)Each student takes two classes, one major (a 3 hour course) and one minor (a 1 1/2 hour course). My major was creative writing and my minor was conversational spanish. Both of my teachers were not only smart, and great teachers they were extremely nice and really connected with not only me but each student. The classes i took, along with most others had a friendly envioronment, one much better than the high school courses i take at home. The classes range from chemistry, to SAT prep. - there is an endless varitey. The staff at ASA was extremely helpful and i still keep in touch with many of them. ASA draws in students from all of the world. I made friends from Spain, france, thai land, hong kong, and many other countries - that was an experience in itself. Besides the Great camp experience, Stanford is the most beautiful campus. The thing i liked most about ASA was that there were organized activities whenever there were no classes, yet you had the freedom to go out on your own as well. Right on the stamford campus is a mall, and a few resturaunts. We also went into Palo Alto on our own, which is a nice little town, with stores coffe shops resturaunts ect. I would suggest for anyone going to stanford to rent a bike, it was really convineitne, some classes are located far from the dorms, so i biked there and also into town or just around campus. On the weekends there were two trips that cost extra to Los angeles and yostemetie national park. If you or your child had never been to either of these places i would defenitly suggest paying the extra for the wonderful experience. On the weekends where there are not organized trips the camp takes you on trips usually into san fransisco, which is also a great way to take advantage of the fabulous city you are just a few miles away from. We visited places like hait ashbury, half moon bay, and all of the other attractions in San Francisco. I would reccomend ASA at stanford for anyone who is looking to learn, have fun, and meet great people.



Recommended: Yes