Bangalore: Attending a summer programme in another country would be a dream-come-true for many students. For Indian students, this dream may soon become a reality. The Summer Institute for the Gifted, U.S., has come to India in search of students who are eligible for the three-week residential programme.

Stephen L. Gessner, chairman of the institute, told The Hindu that the summer programme was for academically talented students from class IV to class XI. "We have so far interacted with around 100 schools. All the school principals have evinced interest in the programme," he said.

Dr. Gessner said the institute was looking at gifted students from metropolitan cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The institute, for the past 25 years, has blended "a strong and challenging academic programme of introductory and college-level courses for cultural exposure and social growth and traditional recreational summer camp activities to create an effective, well-balanced, rewarding and enjoyable summer experience." The students can choose the college where they want to attend the programme. The programme is conducted in nine colleges in the U.S. — Amherst College, University of California (Berkeley), Bryn Mawr College, Drew College, Emory College, University of California (Los Angeles), University of Michigan, Princeton University and Vassar College.

"The summer programme will help give students a taste of university life. The summer course will help Indian students get exposed to life in a U.S. college. The major difference is that it is all done in a structured manner," he said. The school principals were excited about sending students from their school to attend the summer programme. "When they saw the courses, they were excited as the children would be exposed to varied topics that may not be covered in the Indian education system."

Dr. Gessner said the summer course was expensive since the class size was small and the teacher-student ratio was low. The three-week residential programme cost $ 3,795 (Rs. 1,70,775) and $ 4,495 (Rs. 2,02,275). "We have merit scholarships for $ 500, which will be available for 100 students. We do not have a lot of resources and will not be able to give out more scholarships. Next year, we plan to request corporate companies to sponsor the children."

For more details, visit "www.giftedstudy.com".

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