Summer Academy

 

Summer Academy 2013
Student Testimonials

 

What Summer Academy students say about the program:

“Even things that you think you know turn up to have a side you never noticed before. He [Archimedes] talks about a circle as an infinitely sided figure. No one knew exactly what to do with that. There are as many new and exciting ways to understand this as there are people in the class. Here [at St. John’s], there is no rote knowledge, no one insisting that one interpretation has to be the answer. There is always something different to see. Personally, I don’t know what to think of geometry anymore!”

“Where in most other colleges professors investigate whatever they are particularly interested [in], at Saint John’s the tutors (professors) conducted classes with detailed knowledge of the original texts we studied and discussed in small groups. They helped and encouraged students [to] develop a personal engagement with the readings, and participate in discussions, freely stating their own individual opinion. At Saint John’s the tutors’ passionate approach did not dominate the discussion…instead, together ‘we learned’ about philosophy, music, languages, and math. I found it thrilling to learn and appreciate the wisdom enclosed in the concepts of classic writings from Sappho, Dante, Socrates, and Ptolemy.”

“I really enjoyed the program. I thought that we were just going to read assignments and go to class to discuss what happened in the readings but I was happy to discover that this was not the case. In the first day, I got to listen to my peers’ opinions of why the author would say one thing a particular way versus a more common or natural way. I wasn’t expecting to learn how to read. I know how to read….I basically started over at St. John’s and learned how to read all over again….The way I read in this program changed my point of view….I now enjoy reading even more….”

“[T]he programs were great and the [Santa Fe] campus and location were amazing.”

“Go for it, it’s awesome!”

“Read everything and have an open mind.”

“Thank you for such an amazing experience.”

“The curriculum, learning style, and discussion based classes make St. John’s a very interesting college that will definitely prepare you for life.”

“Do it.  Do it NOW.”

“Do it if you love discussing books and philosophy in depth and enjoy interacting with intelligent teenagers and adults.”

“Expect to be deeply challenged academically.”

“Do it.  It’s an excellent experience.”

“Take full advantage of [your] time at St. John’s because [you] won’t regret it.”