當學期結束，許多學生急著放下書本、投入放鬆娛樂的懷抱，但對美國大學而言，暑假並不是一段空白的「無效時間」。相反地，這是一段極具價值的自我探索與成長窗口，也是招生官們用來了解學生是否具備主動學習精神、社會責任感與多元潛力的重要依據。

美國大學在看什麼？

許多學生常問：「我暑假做什麼，大學真的會在意嗎？」答案是肯定的，而且比你想像的還要重要。

在申請美國大學的過程中，學校不只是看你的成績和標準化考試分數。他們在意的是你這個「人」的整體樣貌：

• 你有沒有主動抓住學習與挑戰自我的機會？
• 你如何回應真實世界的問題？
• 你能不能走出舒適圈、協調他人並領導團隊？
• 你是否對自己的經驗有過深刻反思？

暑假，就是你展現這些能力的最佳時機。

暑期活動為什麼這麼關鍵？

在學期中，學生的時間大多被課業和固定活動填滿，真正能自主規劃、從零開始設計一段屬於自己學習經驗的時間，往往就集中在暑假。這段時間所做的選擇，正反映出你的價值觀、動機與潛力。

什麼樣的暑期活動會讓你在申請中脫穎而出？

以下幾種類型的活動，特別受到美國大學的青睞——不僅因為它們「看起來不錯」，而是因為它們真正能幫助你成為一個更立體、更有思辨力、更具行動力的人。

1. 社會服務與志工參與

投入社區服務、環境保護或公益項目，能讓你展現責任感與社會關懷。例如像「超越教育 US CAMP」的設計不只是在做志工，更強調「為什麼而做」。學生被鼓勵去反思行動背後的意義，培養出真正的同理心與社會視角。

2. 領導力與團隊合作

無論是籌辦一個活動、擔任營隊小隊長，還是參與專題企劃，只要能展現你在團隊中的角色與影響力，都是加分項目。在 Camp Beyond 中，學生必須在有限時間內完成任務、分工協作，這類實戰經驗能培養出決策力與帶領團隊的能力。

3. 挑戰自我與體能鍛鍊

野外探索、體能訓練或心理韌性挑戰都是大學欣賞的經歷。這些活動反映你是否勇於面對未知、在困難中堅持不懈。不是每個人都敢離開舒適圈，更少人願意把這段經歷轉化為自我成長的故事。

4. 文化交流與多元視野

在多元文化的環境中學習與合作，會拓展你的世界觀。Camp Beyond 透過與美國在地學生、社區居民的深度互動，讓學生練習跨文化溝通，學會尊重差異，這正是全球化時代不可或缺的能力。

5. 藝術、體育與特殊才能的延伸

你是否利用暑假精進了自己的興趣？不管是音樂、繪畫、舞蹈、戲劇或運動，只要你能在這個領域中有所突破或產出，都能豐富你的申請材料，讓招生官看到你在課業之外的面貌。

6. 學術探索與專題實作

你是否對某個主題充滿好奇，甚至願意深入研究？像 Camp Beyond 中的實作課程就讓學生以問題為導向，結合創意與邏輯思維，從生活中找靈感、從團隊合作中找答案，這正是大學重視的探究精神。

7. 職涯探索與未來想像

試著去了解不同領域的實際樣貌，從中找出自己真正感興趣的方向。不論是企業參訪、模擬實習或職涯講座，這些經驗不只讓你「知道」，更讓你開始思考：「我想成為什麼樣的人？」

真誠與深度，才是關鍵

請記住，重點不是你做了幾項活動，而是你做了什麼、有多深入、是否發自內心地投入。

與其填滿每一天、參加一堆毫無連結的活動，不如選擇幾個真正觸動你的主題，深入參與，從中發現自我並反思收穫。這樣的經歷才能轉化為打動招生官的故事，而不只是履歷上的一串清單。

用暑假累積你申請時的「關鍵亮點」

暑假是你可以全權主導的時間，是打造屬於自己亮點的絕佳機會。別只是讓它悄悄溜走，試著問自己：

• 我有哪些未完成的夢想或想挑戰的領域？
• 我想成為怎樣的人？
• 有沒有一件事，是我現在就可以開始做的？

善用這段時間，你不只是累積經驗，更在為未來的大學申請鋪路，甚至可能改變你的人生方向。

願每個暑假都不只是放鬆，而是你人生下一步的啟程。 🌱

 

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Summer Break: Not Just for Relaxation—A Golden Opportunity in the Eyes of U.S. Colleges

When the school year ends, many students are eager to put down their textbooks and dive into entertainment and relaxation. But for U.S. colleges, summer isn’t just downtime—it’s a valuable window into who you are when no one is telling you what to do. It’s a time for self-directed growth and exploration, and admission officers see it as an important opportunity to observe your initiative, responsibility, and potential beyond academics.

What Are U.S. Colleges Really Looking At?

A question many students ask: “Do colleges really care about what I do during the summer?”
The answer is a clear YES, and probably even more than you think.

When applying to colleges in the U.S., schools aren’t only looking at your grades and test scores. They’re evaluating you as a whole person:

• Are you proactive in seeking out learning and growth opportunities?
  
• How do you respond to real-world challenges?
  
• Can you step outside your comfort zone, collaborate with others, and lead?
  
• Have you reflected deeply on your experiences?
  

Summer is the perfect time to show them all of that.

Why Are Summer Activities So Important?

During the school year, students are busy with classes and structured commitments. But summer is one of the few times when you can truly take control of your schedule, design your own learning journey from scratch, and pursue what matters to you. How you choose to spend this time speaks volumes about your values, motivation, and potential.

What Kinds of Summer Activities Truly Stand Out in Applications?

The following types of summer activities are especially appreciated by U.S. college admissions teams—not just because they “look good,” but because they genuinely help you grow into a more well-rounded, thoughtful, and action-driven individual.

1. Community Service and Volunteering

Engaging in local service projects, environmental efforts, or nonprofit work allows you to demonstrate empathy and a sense of responsibility. Summer camps like Camp Beyond go beyond simply volunteering—they ask students to reflect on the why behind their actions. This cultivates genuine social awareness and a heart for community involvement.

2. Leadership and Teamwork

Whether you’re organizing an event, leading a camp group, or working on a group project, colleges look for your ability to contribute meaningfully to a team and influence outcomes. At Camp Beyond, students must collaborate under time constraints to complete tasks and presentations—experiences that build decision-making and leadership skills.

3. Pushing Personal Limits and Physical Resilience

Activities like outdoor adventures, physical challenges, and resilience training are valued because they show your ability to face the unknown and persevere through difficulty. Not everyone dares to leave their comfort zone, and even fewer turn those moments into powerful stories of personal growth.

4. Cultural Exchange and Global Awareness

Learning and collaborating in diverse, multicultural settings broadens your worldview. Camp Beyond offers meaningful interactions with local American students and community members, helping participants develop cross-cultural communication skills—an essential ability in our increasingly global society.

5. Artistic, Athletic, and Special Talent Development

Have you used the summer to hone your interests? Whether it’s music, art, dance, theater, or sports, making significant progress or creating something tangible during this time can greatly enrich your college application and showcase who you are beyond academics.

6. Academic Exploration and Project-Based Learning

Are you intellectually curious about a specific topic? Willing to dive deep and explore beyond the classroom? At Camp Beyond, students engage in project-based learning that combines creativity and logic, encouraging them to find inspiration in real life and solve problems through collaboration. This is exactly the kind of inquiry-driven mindset that colleges love.

7. Career Exploration and Future Planning

Try stepping into the real world to understand different industries. Through company visits, simulated internships, or career talks, you don’t just gain awareness—you begin to ask meaningful questions like: What kind of person do I want to become? These experiences can be eye-opening and even life-changing.

Authenticity and Depth Matter More Than Quantity

One key takeaway: It’s not about how many activities you did—it’s about what you did, how deeply you engaged, and whether you truly cared.

Rather than filling every day with unrelated tasks just to look busy, choose a few meaningful experiences that speak to you. Dive in. Reflect. Grow. That’s the kind of story that stands out—not just a checklist of credentials, but a narrative of self-discovery.

Use the Summer to Build Your Application’s Key Highlights

Summer is your chance to fully own your time—to build something that reflects your values, passions, and dreams. Don’t let it pass by unnoticed. Instead, ask yourself:

• What dreams or challenges have I put on hold?
  
• Who do I want to become?
  
• What’s one thing I can start today?

When you invest your summer with intention, you don’t just gain experience—you lay the foundation for a compelling college application and perhaps even discover the next direction in your life.

May your summer be more than just rest—it could be the launchpad for your future. 🌱