Summer camp proves a hot ticket among young students

Summer in UK nurtured confidence

For 11-year-old Angela Wang, the experience of two weeks of summer camp in Cambridge last August helped change her from a very introverted child into one with a more outgoing personality.

“In Cambridge, everyone is so friendly, even strangers would say hello to me,” she said. “I made many friends and felt more comfortable to express my views in class and when I’m with friends. I opened up myself more, and became a bit more outgoing. I came back to China as a slightly different person, and I like my new self a lot.”

During her time studying at the Cambridge Centre for Languages, Wang took English lessons every morning. Her afternoons and evenings were dedicated to a rich selection of activities, including drama, dancing, singing, watching films, and participating in sports. Her most memorable activity was making a beautiful mask that she wore for a masquerade ball, which she attended and where she sang and danced with friends.

“That was my first time making a mask. It was such a fun and creative process,” she said.

Despite the brevity of the experience, Wang fell in love with Cambridge.

“The trip has broadened my horizons,” she said. “I have set a goal for myself to attend Cambridge.”

And she said she greatly appreciated the chance to practice her English.

“I find English a beautiful language, and the more I learn, the more I enjoy it. I am grateful that the summer camp gave me an opportunity to practice English in an English-speaking country for the first time.”