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Blog Post for June 16

We had a fun start to the Summer Springboard program here in Berkeley! 

Students from across the country arrived on campus, eager to begin two transformative weeks of exploration and discovery. After settling into the residence halls and meeting their roommates and mentors, the group began forming fast connections, fueled by shared excitement, curiosity and a stunning backdrop of one of the world’s leading academic institutions. The energy on campus is already buzzing as students start to feel at home and dive into this unique experience.

Looking ahead, our Berkeley students are gearing up for an immersive schedule of hands-on academic courses led by dynamic instructors, unforgettable excursions around the Bay Area, and engaging True You sessions designed to help them learn more about themselves and their goals. Whether walking through iconic campus landmarks or discussing big ideas in the classroom, it’s clear this group is ready to make the most of every opportunity. We can’t wait to see how the next two weeks unfold!

Here are some highlights from the start of the program:

• Check-in went well. It was a beautiful sunny day in Berkeley and we even had some furry friends come to say goodbye to their owners.
• Bonded with teammates going on an evening walk around campus.
• We did some role play and had some Oscar worthy performances.
  
• The Business and Entrepreneurship class picked a famous business person and gave presentations on them to the rest of the class.
• The other classes also got off to a great start–the students are looking forward to learning a lot of great information over the next two weeks

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 19

Summer Springboard is in full swing here in Berkeley!

Our students have just wrapped up an incredible first week filled with discovery, challenge and connection. They’ve dived into their first True You workshop, exploring their passions and values while gaining fresh insights into who they are and where they want to go. The hands-on academic courses have sparked new ideas and inspired big thinking, pushing students to think creatively and critically in their chosen fields.

Outside the classroom, the first excursions brought exciting opportunities to explore, making memories and building friendships that will last long after the program ends. It’s been inspiring to see students embrace new challenges, support each other, and grow both academically and personally.

With so much already accomplished, the energy is high as we head into Week 2. More immersive courses, deeper self-discovery through academic workshops, and unforgettable excursions await. The final week promises to be just as exciting, packed with new opportunities to learn, connect and prepare for the next steps on their college and career journeys. Stay tuned for more highlights as the adventure continues!

Here are some highlights from the first week of the program:

• All programs took amazing academic excursions on Wednesday!
• AI Design & Media went to Google headquarters
• Business & Entrepreneurship went to the Rockridge Market Hall
• Ecology & Environmental Science went to visit the NGO “Save the Bay”
• Economics went to the USF Investment Institute
• Emergency Medicine went to San Francisco Fire Department Station 10
• Surgery went to the Silicon Valley Surgi-Tech Institute
• Fundamentals of Engineering went to the Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory
• Psychology & Neuroscience went to the UCSF Weill Neurosciences and Gladstone Institutes
• Trial Law went to the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse
• Our destinations were all very different from one another, but they had in common that they were really exciting places for each respective program to visit and everyone involved had a fun time traveling and learning together.

BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26

That’s a wrap on a memorable Summer Springboard experience!

What a journey it’s been on campus. After two incredible weeks of hands-on academic courses, inspiring True You workshops and adventurous weekend excursions, our students have crossed the finish line of an unforgettable Summer Springboard program. They’ve explored new ideas, challenged themselves and made friendships that will last long after they leave campus.

Throughout the program, students gained valuable insight into their college major interests and career aspirations, while reflecting on the kind of learners and future professionals they want to become. From engaging classroom discussions to real-world experiences beyond campus, this summer has been all about growth, discovery and setting the foundation for what’s next.

We’re so proud of everything they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see where their journeys take them. Here’s to new beginnings and exciting futures ahead!

Here are some highlights from the final week of the program:

• While we definitely focus on the academic courses, we took a number of fun excursions over the weekend and early in week 2!
• On Friday, we traveled to the Ferry Building in San Francisco, spent some time there, and then took the ferry back across the bay to Oakland.
• On Saturday, we returned to San Francisco and visited Pier 39, returned to the Ferry Building to participate in a Juneteenth celebration that was being held nearby, traveled to Chinatown, and then ended the day at the Twin Peaks lookout.
• On Sunday, we went to Great America and had a fabulous day there – the weather was good and the park was not particularly crowded, so we were able to ride so many rides!
• On Tuesday, we traveled to Stanford University for a campus tour.
• We all had a great last week together!