Instead of taking a break from academic life this summer, sophomore Angie Lopez decided to improve her expository writing skills. To do so, she enrolled in a pre-collegiate program at Stanford University. There, she partook in a rigorous curriculum that tested how she could produce high-quality essays for the duration of three weeks.

While at Stanford, Lopez had the opportunity to not only learn but make several unique friendships with people from a multitude of backgrounds. The program allowed time for recreational activities, which included field trips on the weekends, so it was not difficult for her to get to know her peers. She also lived on campus alongside the other students exploring expository writing, making their relationships even stronger.

During her time at Stanford, Lopez met people from many different countries. Students at the program come from all around the globe, extending as far as Hong Kong or Great Britain, making the program a unique experience for all who attend. Due to the fact that the program is so diverse, Angie was exposed to several different cultures and perspectives.

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“It was a pretty interesting experience being exposed to Korean music and cuisine, for example, and being around people who didn’t know what a cortadito was.

— Lopez

Lopez’s summer experience at Stanford helped her develop a comprehensive understanding of cultural differences as well as a strong grasp of the written language.

“I truly feel I grew tremendously as a writer while at Stanford. We were exposed to essay genres I hadn’t encountered previously and received constant feedback from knowledgeable professors and university students that truly cared about literature and English,” Lopez said.

Angie was able to take the valuable information she gathered throughout the experience back with her as she continues to apply the skills she learned in her daily life here at Gables and at home.