American Language and Culture (ALC) Programs 

Two sessions of the ALC program is offered each year:

ALC Session 1 includes around 65-70 students from National Taiwan University in Taiwan, Seoul National University in Korea and Keio, Waseda, Doshisha, and Hitotsubashi universities in Japan. 

ALC Session 2 includes around 75-80 students from National Taiwan, National Cheng Chi, National Chiao Tung, National Cheng Kung universities in Taiwan and Keio, Waseda, Doshisha, and Hitotsubashi universities in Japan. 

Both ALC1 and ALC2 programs will be held from August 2 to August 30*, 2009. (*Students will return to Asia the following day.)

For each session, there are also seven to eight American Stanford students who host and live with the Asian students in Stanford University dormitories. 

English Classes

Daily morning English classes, taught by the Stanford Language Center, build students' English communication skills while furthering their knowledge of contemporary American culture. Through classroom discussions and individual writing projects, students will explore and investigate cultural themes such as independence and diversity, race and gender relations, family life, sexuality, poverty, and the American education system.

Because class size is small, with no more than 12 students per classroom, students are assured personal attention as well as an interactive and meaningful learning experience. Students can expect two to three hours of homework per day and will receive three units of Stanford credit with successful completion of the program. Additionally, as official Stanford students, the participants will have access to a wide range of University facilities including libraries, computer centers, athletic facilities, etc.

Further information about the English classes are available at the English for Foreign Students (EFS) website. A detailed course description from the 2008 program can be viewed here.

 
Participant showing a local boy how to make sushi 

 

Out-of-Class Activities

Students continue to develop English skills and foster an understanding of American culture during the afternoons, evenings and weekends through scheduled field trips, panel and group discussions, workshops, and other program events. These events take place on the Stanford campus, throughout Silicon Valley, and within the city of San Francisco (one hour away by train).

Possible educational activities include visiting Silicon Valley companies, attending a multi-racial gospel church, and volunteering for the elderly or children in impoverished communities. There are also evening presentations and panel discussions which allow students to meet with and hear the personal stories of diverse Americans. Such speakers might include from someone living with AIDS or a group of Asian students now in graduate study at Stanford.

Recreational activities include a major league baseball game, music performances, museum trips and a visit to the Great America amusement park which provide program participants with the opportunity to socialize with one another and use their language skills in an enjoyable environment. 

The program calendar from the 2008 program can be viewed here.

Multi-National Experience 

ALC participants include students from leading universities in Japan, Taiwan and Korea (only for ALC1), and also American Stanford students. These Stanford students, the Claude Buss Fellows, serve as hosts who help organize program activities, serve as instant friends and act as interpreters of American culture.

Everyone lives together in the same dormitory (in fact, participants will usually have a roommate from a different country). Students also eat together in a residence dining hall and participate together in daily activities. In this atmosphere, international friendships flourish.

 

Stanford Hosts' visit to Taipei

Post-program Connection

Past participants report that the close and long-lasting personal ties which they developed with other participants and Stanford hosts during ALC provide many of their greatest moments of personal growth.

The Stanford hosts will visit Asia several months after the program as part of their Fellowship and this gives the Asian students a chance to show their cultures to the hosts.

Additionally, the participants will be part of the VIA Stanford Programs alumni community, and by joining reunion events and programs for alumni, they will have an opportunity to meet new people who have shared similar experiences through VIA's programs.

Cost

• $5,700 program fee includes Stanford University tuition, dormitory housing, a complete meal plan, most scheduled out-of-class activities and transportation costs, and VIA staff services.
• The program cost does not include international airfare, medical insurance, textbooks, personal shopping and expenses, optional activities, and meals taken outside of the dormitory.
• Participants must obtain traveler’s medical insurance prior to arrival in the U.S.

Information Meeting Schedule for 2009

Application

• Application information is available here .
• If you have any questions, please contact Kazutoh Ishida (Senior Stanford Programs Director) by email at kazutoh@viaprograms.org.

Links to related pages

ALC Session 1 

• Program Staff Bios (for 2009 program)
• Program Calendar (2008)
• Student Host Groups (2008)
• Past Program Archives
  

ALC Session 2

• Program Staff Bios (for 2009 program)
• Program Calendar (2008)
• Student Host Groups (2008)
• Past Program Archives