SUMMER INSTITUTE
DISCLAIMER
Disclaimer: Students must be at least 17 years old at the time of the program start date (July 1, 2025). All applicants must be born before July 1, 2008. Summer Institute is designed for international students.
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
Summer Institute is designed for college-level students.
2025 Summer Institute Applications Now Open!
Join us for a fun, fast-paced, educational opportunity to live and study in the dynamic city of Atlanta and experience engaging cultural activities. Interact with local Georgia State and international students for language practice, cultural exploration, and friendship! The Summer Institute offers international students a unique opportunity to experience life on an American campus. Applicants must be 17 years of age or older by the program start date.
July 1 – August 1, 2025. Please visit the Application Instructions tab for application deadlines. Note that the following schedule is subject to change.
June 29 – 30: Early arrival in Atlanta
July 1: Arrival
July 2: Campus tour & Grocery Shopping
July 3: Orientation
July 7: Classes begin
July 25: Final exams begin
August 1: Program ends (check-out from University Housing by 12:00pm)
Weekends are free for CityPass excursions, shopping, or travel on your own. Refer to the 2025 SI Calendar for scheduled events.
Please note that the calendar is subject to change.
The program fee is $5,400 USD and includes each of the following:
- In-state tuition & fees for 6 credits
- Housing (31 nights) – You may purchase additional nights for arrivals as early as June 29.
- Flexible meal plan
- Medical Insurance – The cost of insurance is included in the program fee, but students must register and pay for medical insurance separately. Information on how to register for insurance will be sent to accepted students
- Transportation and excursions
- “Breeze Card” for local transportation
- Transportation to/from the airport (For cohorts only)
- Admission to Atlanta attractions, which may include:
- World of Coca-Cola
- Georgia Aquarium
- High Museum of Art
- Zoo Atlanta
(Airfare and visa fees are not included)
*Students must be at least 17 years old at the time of the program start date (July 1, 2025). All applicants must be born before July 1, 2008.
Deadlines
- November: Online application opens. (Click here for step-by-step application instructions. )
- March 15: Application deadline. (Please note: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after this date.)
- March 22 (or within one week of being accepted): Pay the $450 deposit online through Flywire as an International Wire Transfer. View payment instructions here.
- Note: In order to pay your deposit online, you need your Georgia State student ID number. You will receive your student ID number after your application has been processed by our Admissions team.
- Log into your Georgia State University PAWS account (upon your first visit to that page, you will need to click “Activate Your CampusID” and follow the instructions) and select the “International Wire Payment” button in the “My Bill” section. You will be directed to the “Flywire by PeerTransfer” page.
- Follow the instructions by filling out the “Payment” section all the way down to “Create a new account” section (Here you will create your new account by entering the requested information).
- Click “Continue with Payment”.
- Complete International Student & Scholar Services required documents for your student visa. More information will be sent to accepted students via Email.
- May 15:
- Pay your remaining program balance online via your student account through Flywire and pay the $100 refundable housing fee here.
- Submit Certificate of Immunization form to the Student Health Clinic through the Patient Portal. Instructions are available here. Refer to the Student Health Clinic’s website for more information.
- May 31: Last day of cancellation and partial reimbursement.
- June 15: Register and Pay for PGH Global Health Insurance
- Cost of enrollment is $112 USD.
Scholarship applications now open!
Eligibility Criteria
- Demonstrate financial need (Important Criteria)
- Have little or no experience living/traveling abroad
- Show a strong interest in the program
- Clearly articulate a past leadership or learning experience
Details
- The Summer Institute Scholarship is awarded to two (2) applicants.
- Awarded recipients will receive $5,288 USD directly to their Georgia State Student Accounts.
- The scholarship pays for tuition and fees, on-campus housing for 31 nights, a flexible meal plan, the program fee, transportation, and admission to Atlanta attractions.
- Awarded students will be responsible for the cost of medical insurance, airfare, visa fees, and a $100 refundable housing security deposit.
Important Dates
- March 1: Deadline to submit the scholarship application. Your completed application will be reviewed by multiple raters to determine your eligibility. All scholarship applicants must first apply to the Summer Institute.
- March 22: Scholarship recipients announced.
Terms and Conditions
- Scholarship recipient will submit five (5) to ten (10) social media postings (in accordance with Georgia State’s social media guidelines).
Final Week of Program:
- Scholarship recipient will submit a short essay or a video describing the personal impact of this scholarship on their life, and what it meant to them.
- Scholarship recipient will participate in a short video interview.
Please Note:
- Students must agree to complete required services. Failure to complete required services before the end of the program will result in a hold on their student account to transfer the earned credits. Please check the Service Requirements box in the application to acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the terms and conditions.
- All scholarship applicants must apply to the Summer Institute to be considered. Priority will be given to early applicants.
- The University has the permission to reproduce and use for educational or promotional purposes any and all photographs, videos, movies, or sound recordings taken of the scholarship recipient during participation in the Program.
- If you are coming as a group, please speak to your home institution about scholarship eligibility before applying.
Q&A
What does the Summer Institute scholarship Cover?
Is English proficiency a requirement to receive the scholarship?
Are there any additional steps I must take to ensure my application is considered?
Courses
All students take two 3-credit courses. We offer two specialized English courses as well as field-specific courses.
This course is designed to introduce international students to various chemistry projects including stereoisomerism, natural product extraction, simple distillation, recrystallization, and techniques and tools that are fundamental in chemistry labs. Students will learn how to identify chemical structure characteristics by using IR, melting point apparatuses and literature search. Students will learn chemistry lab techniques and gain hands-on lab experience, as well as learn to comply with lab safety protocols. Students will also gain the experience of an oral presentation on lab techniques learned through the course and how to conduct a chemical structure literature search. (Morning session is available.)
The purpose of this course is to increase awareness of diverse cultures in the framework of intercultural communication skills. Students will enhance their knowledge of culture and assess its impact on intercultural communication. Topics related to culture and communication will be explored from a global perspective with a focus on cultural competency and service delivery to diverse groups. Students will also observe the communication styles in health professionals in the US. Students will have first-hand experience visiting the CDC museum and hospitals.
This course introduces students to the field of Arts Administration and Cultural Institutions. Field trips to different cultural institutions will enable students to learn about professional and vocational opportunities within the context of museums. Students will be introduced to a variety of learning, teaching, and administration theories for a museum career path. Students will have first-hand experience visiting several types of cultural institutions, such as World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Zoo, Paper Museum, Center for Puppetry Arts, the Fox Theater, the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Stone Mountain, or Atlanta Historical Center. This course focuses on the combination of theory and practice. (Afternoon session is available.)
Academic English
Dr. Madden-Course Syllabus Dr. Madden-Instructor Information
Dr. Colleen Ijuin-Course Syllabus Dr. Collen Ijuin-Instructor Information
Dr. Bateman-Course Syllabus Dr. Bateman-Instructor Information
English for Health Sciences
Students enrolled in Academic English for Health Sciences must also be enrolled in the Summer Institute’s Chemistry, Biology, or Communication and Communication Diversity in Health Care System course.
This course introduces students to basic eukaryotic Molecular Cell Biology techniques with a focus on adipocyte biology, DNA/RNA extraction and quantitative PCR data analysis. This course is comprised of both lectures and hands-on laboratory components. During lectures, students will be provided with relevant background information and detailed experimental instructions. While the hands-on lab component allows students to conduct experiments under the supervision of the instructor. Students will be asked to maintain a lab notebook with detailed descriptions of laboratory protocols prior to conducting experiments. Additionally, students will be encouraged to review external scientific literature in preparation for lectures and experiments. This course is designed to provide students with an accurate representation of how research is conducted in a laboratory setting.
Note: To facilitate the smooth conduct of these laboratory sessions, there will be a nominal lab fee of $150
The world's economies have become much more integrated over time. Global Economics is designed to introduce students to basic facts about the operation of the world economy, with particular focus on current issues confronting economies of various countries. The course will discuss the role of international organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and will focus on major challenges facing policy makers.It should be noted, however, that this course is designed for the economics novice. As such, much time will be spent investigating some basic economic tools and terminology before moving on to discussions concerning the global economy.
This three-credit-hour course introduces undergraduate students to the legal system and the fundamental concepts of law in the United States. The course includes an overview of the U.S. legal system including an introduction to the study of law from a U.S. perspective, sources of law including the role of common law in the U.S., classifications of law, the U.S. court system and the role of judges within it, civil litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. Substantive and procedural subjects include constitutional law, torts, contracts, property and estate law, laws affecting business, family law and criminal law. Students will be exposed firsthand to the U.S. law-making process, criminal and civil processes through field trips. (Afternoon session is available.)
This course is designed to familiarize students with fundamental techniques utilized in Molecular/Microbial Laboratories. The curriculum will encompass bacterial cell culture, protein over-production, protein extraction, and analysis using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting methods. Structured into lecture and laboratory components, the course offers both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
During the lecture segment, students will acquire foundational knowledge and receive comprehensive instructions on the experiments they will conduct. In the laboratory sessions, students will gain hands-on experience, actively engaging in protocol execution. They will be tasked with formulating their own executable protocols based on provided instructions and information before proceeding with experiments. Additionally, students will analyze and interpret the data generated from their experiments.
This approach closely mirrors real-world research laboratory environments, providing students with invaluable insights into working within such settings. By actively participating in these activities, students will develop practical skills and a deeper understanding of molecular and microbial laboratory techniques.
Note: To facilitate the smooth conduct of these laboratory sessions, there will be a nominal lab fee of $150
This course focuses on improving the public presentations necessary in almost every contemporary profession: sales or proposal presentations, lectures, political speeches, presentations at company meetings or academic conferences, or presentations to clients. This course will emphasize skills required for developing effective presentation content, including data gathering and evaluation, structure, and logic. These skills are important, whatever language is being used in the presentation, but because this course is designed for non-native speakers of English, there will be special emphasis on delivery skills focusing on English pronunciation and English idioms. This course is ideal for any student in any major.
This course is designed to prepare undergraduates for participation in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition www.igem.org. Not only will this course help you prepare for participation in the iGEM competition, but it will also help you develop skills that will be applicable to any career that requires group work, laboratory research, record keeping, and individual or group presentations.
Note: To facilitate the smooth conduct of these laboratory sessions, there will be a nominal lab fee of $150.
*Courses subject to change based on availability and enrollment.
* Every effort will be made to place students in their first course choice.
For questions about course content or availability, please contact the Office of International Initiatives at [email protected] or (404) 413-2529.
Your Summer Institute Includes
Stay in safe and modern on-campus housing at the University Commons.
University Commons, a 4.2 acre complex of four apartment buildings ranging from eight to 15 stories, houses approximately 2,000 Georgia State University students, primarily designated space for upper-class students.
The program covers 31 nights starting on July 1. Students may arrive prior to the program date with an extra charge of $41 per night. The earliest day to check-in to University Commons is June 29. Click here to pay for extra nights.
Refundable Housing Fee: Each student will be required to pay a refundable $100 housing fee. If the student’s room is kept clean, then the $100 will be refunded after departure. The housing deposit can be paid here.
Each Apartment Includes
- 4 private bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- a shared kitchen
- a large living room
- a large dining room
- furniture included
For more information and tours of the Commons, please click here.
Amenities
- Free laundry
- Free Wi-Fi
- 24-hour security
- Study lounge
- Community lounge on each floor
- Gym room
- Shuttles to campus and nearby areas.
University Dining
Join us for an opportunity to live and study in the dynamic city of Atlanta and experience engaging in cultural activities.
During the Summer Institute program, students will participate in the following:
Georgia Aquarium
Visit the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, featuring a dolphin show, sea lion show, 4-D movies, the world’s biggest fish, and much more!
The World of Coca-Cola
Come experience the story behind the facility of the world’s most famous beverage, including the vault where the secret formula is secured!
The Grad School Info Session
Are you thinking of applying to graduate school? Join an information session with Georgia State’s Graduate School and ask any questions you may have about applying to a graduate program!
Independence Day Fireworks
Students who arrive early will have the option to experience Independence Day with fireworks and performances in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park!
Georgia Premium Outlet Mall
With hundreds of stores available, you will be able to find the best deals at the North Georgia Premium Outlets!
Recreation Center
Enjoy a state-of-the-art recreational center open only to the Georgia State community, equipped with gyms, a pool, and a rock climbing wall!
Additional activities and attractions to explore during free time:
- Georgia State Spaces and Resources
- Atlanta Botanical Gardens
- EXLAB
- Fox Theatre
- High Museum of Art
- Lenox Mall
- Phipps Plaza
- Piedmont Park
- Ponce City Market
- Stone Mountain
For the complete list of events and their dates, please refer to the 2025 Summer Institute Calendar and note that the calendar is subject to change.
Weekend Trip
Savannah, Georgia
Dates: July 26 – July 28, 2025
Explore the historic charm of Georgia's oldest city with its cobblestone streets, beautiful squares, and waterfront views. Visit Forsyth Park, Bonaventure Cemetery, and enjoy the local food scene.
Savannah Highlights
- Forsyth Park: A large, picturesque park with a famous fountain, perfect for a stroll or picnic.
- Historic District: Walk through cobblestone streets and visit the 22 squares lined with historic homes, churches, and monuments.
- River Street: Enjoy the waterfront, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and scenic views of the Savannah River.
- Wormsloe Historic Site: Famous for its dramatic oak-lined avenue, this site offers a glimpse into colonial Georgia history.
Guided Walking Tour (subject to change based on weather and availability)
Cost
Day Trips
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Visit Ruby Falls, Rock City Gardens, and Downtown Chattanooga on this day trip.
Cost: $175 includes transportation, on-bus snacks, and admission to Rock City Gardens and Ruby Falls.
Callaway Gardens
Escape to nature on a trip to Callaway Gardens. Stroll in the gardens, learn about wildlife, play water sports, or relax by the lake.
Cost: $130 includes transportation and admission to Callaway Gardens.
Note: Trips are contingent upon group size. If you sign up and pay for a trip that is cancelled, a full refund of the trip fee will be provided.
About the Global Ambassador Program (GAP) – Special Programs
GAP groups incoming international students with knowledgeable Georgia State students. It’s designed to allow Georgia State students (buddies) and students from around the world the chance to grow their global networks and befriend someone different from themselves. Historically, students have created life-long friendships by communicating before the program, hanging out throughout the program, and even visiting each other later in life.
Cultural Events
Local Excursions
Virtual Connections
This program can provide what you desire as a international students, efficiently peeking high education system in the States in short period. The Summer Program in GSU has thoughtful and thorough planning system supported by university faculty, wonderful team members in the Office of International Initiatives, who you can count on.