With the weather slowly warming up, the prospect of upcoming sunshine, beaches and freedom offers a delightful topic for daydreaming. But for many Gunn students, summer vacation means more than basking in the sun, and fast-approaching registration dates for various opportunities are a reminder to get moving.

For starters, a plethora of academics-oriented programs on different college campuses are at hand for students seeking further study, such as Summer Discovery, Center for Talented Youth and UC-sponsored California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science. They offer a wide variety of subjects, ranging from sports management to politics to topology.

Also, many international options are available for those looking to venture out of the U.S. Guidance counselor Linda Kirsch praised study-abroad programs but recommended checking with the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel. “With overseas programs, you have to dig below the surface—whether or not they have safety and security taken care of,” Kirsch said. “It’s easy to be seduced by slick, cute brochures.”

One organization that passed the test is AYUSA, offering four-week-long summer programs in 16 countries including Japan, Brazil and Norway, some of which have language requirements. “You’ll leave with a new appreciation for the language and culture of the country you visit,” AYUSA Academic Relations Manager Dorit Perry said.

Another program is Neighbors Abroad, which requires spending two months—one with the host and the next as the host. Senior Lynn Conell-Price, who went to Oaxaca two summers ago, said that the immersion greatly improved her Spanish. “Also, [the experience] was different from going with family or friends because although there are a lot of tourists in Oaxaca, you’re not really a part of that,” Conell-Price said.

Yet another language-specific option is Abbey Road, which offers sessions in France, Italy, Spain and Greece. Junior Zak Weiler spent a month at a home stay near Cassis, on the southern coast of France, studying French in the morning and then participating in organized activities. “It was hard being away from the people I care about for a month, but it was cool to find out that no matter how different [French teenagers and] we seem, we’re pretty much the same,” Weiler said.

Similarly, junior Jane Laird and several other Gunn students spent a month last summer in Granada, Spain, through Edu-Culture International. Students took Spanish language and grammar classes and experienced a taste of the culture by horseback riding, flamenco dancing and visiting cathedrals, mosques, caves and cities. For Laird, one of the most exciting yet difficult aspects was the lack of limitations. “It made me really independent,” she said. “Sometimes I had to walk home and get meals by myself. It’s kind of hard being alone a lot with no parents around.”

After returning home, Laird spent three weeks as a YMCA camp counselor working with children. In addition to job opportunities, YMCA offers the chance to volunteer.

Summer internships at local companies are also a good way to rack up experience in a field of interest. Last June, senior Brian Han started working at Lockheed Martin, helping with budgeting and creating financial reports. “It’s a good opportunity to learn about finance, especially in preparation for a possible future career in business,” Han said.

On top of professionally-sponsored opportunities are activities run by on-campus clubs, such as the Gunn Outdoorsmen Club, which spent three days last summer hiking, fishing and kayaking at sites including Yosemite and Half Moon Bay. “We try to be respectful of the environment, and we’re hoping to spread the love of nature,” junior co-founder Johnny Stefanski said. As the club mainly shares equipment, little payment is necessary.

Still other alternatives await students—the National Youth Leadership Forum on topics varying from medicine to diplomacy, sailing with Sea Education Association and community service programs such as Global Routes, which offers three- to five-week volunteering in countries including Kenya, Belize and India to teach English or construct facilities. Many more choices are available in the College & Career Center (CCC) and guidance department or simply by searching online.

Some programs require course or language prerequisites, teacher recommendations, interviews and a minimum GPA. In addition, academic and overseas programs can get pricey, although some do offer scholarships—albeit not always clearly advertised, requiring students to take initiative and ask about these opportunities.

Kirsch emphasized the importance of using one’s summer wisely and creatively in terms of college applications. “Utilizing your summer well convinces colleges that you can get out there to do different things,” Kirsch said. “You’re demonstrating that ‘I can live away from home, I can cope with strangers, I can do new and difficult things’—you’re giving an example of your maturity level.” She also recommended consulting a neutral third party, such as guidance counselors, when planning one’s summer.

On the other hand, CCC coordinator Sara Bronstein stressed the value of a well-spent summer from the perspective of personal growth. “What you do with your summer could help you realize which colleges you want to apply to,” she said. “It could also help you to figure out what you want to study. Most importantly, it is a good opportunity for personal self-discovery and growth.”

Whether it be pursuing further academic opportunities, experiencing other cultures outside of the Bay Area bubble, getting a job, helping others or simply indulging in the exploration of life, there are certainly many ways to soak up the sun this summer.