This three-week summer program offers international college (post-secondary school) students an opportunity to develop their creative abilities in various studio disciplines while experiencing American culture by living and studying in New York City. Two types of courses will be available for this program: 1. Studio Arts; 2. Studio with ESL. Studio with ESL course will be ideal for students who wish to improve their proficiency in the English language. All studio course instructors are professionals in their respective fields currently working in New York City.

In addition, the program includes a range of organized activities available at no additional cost. Previous activities include visits to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Metropolitan Museum of Art, Broadway musicals and plays, movie nights, walking tours, exploring Times Square and Central Park, and much more. On-campus housing (optional) is available for this program.

Students may choose one course offered in this program, and will be awarded three studio credits for successful completion of the course.

For further information, please contact the Office of Programs for International Students at opis@sva.edu or 212.592.2238.

Studio with ESL

ESD-0092-A, 3 credits

Mon - Fri, 3 hours Studio + 3 hours ESL per day

This course is designed for students who wish to improve both their studio and English language skills.

Studio: Students will be pushed to explore the boundaries of their creativity, and will develop techniques for brainstorming and experimentation. The course is comprised of various art and design subject areas, and includes seminars with leading professionals that will give students exposure to current trends in the New York fine arts and design industries. Assignments will be completed for inclusion in the end-of-program exhibition.

ESL:  Two classes a week will be spent enriching students' art vocabulary through discussion. Three classes a week will be focused on overall English as a Second Language improvement strategies, including developing students' fluency, grammar, vocabulary and speaking skills. Students registered for ESL will also be registered for the accompanying studio course.

Note:  This course is appropriate for students with at least an intermediate level of English proficiency. Applicants should have a minimum score of 53 on the TOEFL iBT (or) 153 on the TOEFL CBT (or) 5.0 on the IELTS (or) submit a letter of recommendation from an English teacher.

Studio Arts – Creative Art & Design

FID-1192-A, 3 credits

Mon - Fri, 6 hours per day

This intensive course is intended for international students who wish to develop their studio skills, and will benefit any art or design student looking for new ways to approach visual communication. Students will be pushed to explore the boundaries of their creativity, and will develop techniques for brainstorming and experimentation. The course is comprised of various art and design subject areas, and includes seminars with leading professionals that will give students exposure to current trends in the New York fine arts and design industries. Assignments will be completed for inclusion in the end-of-program exhibition.

Note: This course is appropriate for students who are at an upper intermediate to proficient level of English, or who are native speakers.  Applicants should have a minimum score of 65 or higher on the TOEFL iBT (or) have scored a 183 or higher on the TOEFL CBT (or) have scored a 6 or higher on the IELTS (or) submit a letter of recommendation from an English teacher (or) have graduated from a secondary or higher level school where instruction is given primarily in English.

ESD-0092

FID-1192

Summer Housing

Housing is optional with limited availability. The New Residence is located adjacent to the 209 East 23 Street building and rooms are arranged in an apartment-style setting. There is 24-hour security at the housing building entrance. People must show a picture ID to enter the building. A program staff member is on call for emergencies throughout the night until class time in the morning.

Apartments come with two- to three-bedroom suites, with central air and heat as well as full kitchen and bathroom facilities. Each apartment houses between four to six students and offers sweeping, picturesque views of the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and the East River. All rooms in the New Residence are equipped with wireless internet access. You must provide your own computer. Recreational space and laundry facilities are available.

Housing Check-in: Please arrive on Sunday, July 7, between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Students who need to arrive earlier or later must pre-arrange their check-in time by contacting opis@sva.edu. Housing students should return to the New Residence Basement Lounge at 4 PM on Sunday for a meeting and neighborhood tour.

Housing Check-out: Students may check out on Friday, July 26th, prior to or directly following the student exhibition. All students must check out before or by 12 PM on Saturday, July 27.

Meal Plan: A meal plan that covers breakfast Monday-Friday is included in the cost of housing.

Housing Curfew : Curfew is 12 am (midnight). Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.

Drug & Alcohol Policy: Students cannot consume or possess illegal drugs or alcohol at any time. Students cannot have anyone in their room who is found in possession of any drugs or alcohol. Residents or guests who enter the building or are found in an intoxicated state within the building may be subject to judicial action and follow-up which may include expulsion from housing.

A range of organized evening and weekend activities are included in the cost of tuition. All students in the program are encouraged to participate. 

Previous activities include visits to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Metropolitan Museum of Art, Broadway musicals, movie nights, walking tours, exploring Times Square and Central Park, and much more.

There is no program transportation pick-up from or to the airports. Students either arrange for a car service or students may use the regulated taxi service outside the baggage claim area after picking up their luggage. The cost is approximately $55 - $65 each way from LaGuardia, JFK or Newark airports. Please make sure to take only the regulated 'Yellow' New York Taxi service to the city.

Orientation Meeting for all CDFNY Summer Program Students

Orientation will take place on Monday, July 8, at 9:00 AM in the Monkey Bar Lounge, located at 217 East 23 Street (between 2nd & 3rd Ave), Ground floor. All students must attend. Directly following the meeting, students will be escorted to class.

A detailed orientation schedule will be sent to students prior to the start of the program.

The end of program student art exhibition will be held on Friday, July 26, at 209 East 23 Street, between Third and Second Avenues. All family and friends are welcome to attend.