Gourmet Cooking Experience - UCLA, Los Angeles

Organized Sports & Games:

• Our sports coordinator organizes games of all kinds outside of class time.
• Play a game of ultimate Frisbee or maybe cross paths with a Laker or two on the courts.

World-Class Athletic Facilities:

• Stay active with complimentary access to UCLA's world-class facilities.
• Enjoy their strength & conditioning zone that includes weight training equipment, cardio machines and stretching mats.
• Refresh in the pool or break a sweat on the basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, racquetball and squash courts.
• Try out the climbing wall or hang out in the games lounge.

Other activities:

• Take surf lessons with professional instructors at Santa Monica Beach.
• Relax or play volleyball at Manhattan Beach.
• Laugh it up at the IMPROV Comedy Club.
• Have fun at Raging Waters Water Park beachfront waterslides.
• Stroll along Rodeo Drive.
• Choose from over 100 different cuisines at the Original Farmers Market.
• Attend a Dodgers Major League Baseball game.

• Delta Terrace at UCLA: Near dining, sports center, pools

• Suite-style rooms with bathrooms, workspace, AC, Wi-Fi

• Accommodations typically include 2-3 participants per room, each in their own bed, as bed-sharing is not practiced.

• Independent travelers are paired with another independent traveler for the duration of the stay.

• Friends who enroll together have the option to room together.

• Roommates are assigned according to gender identity, embracing all genders, including those anywhere on the gender spectrum.

• Breakfast at UCLA dining hall or Café 1919, Dinners at dining hall or various restaurants

• Diverse menu options; salad bar, burgers, chicken, pizza

• Explore Universal Studios, CityWalk and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
• Look for celebrities on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and their handprints outside of TLC Chinese Theater.
• Check out the characters on Venice Beach and Boardwalk.
• Visit Santa Monica Pier and soak up the coastal views from the world-famous Ferris Wheel.
• Experience Disneyland & Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

• Designated times for arrival to LAX: between 12PM and 4PM

• **Designated times for departure from LAX: **between 7AM - 9AM

• Please wait to book flights until after February 1, 2024, and check with us before booking. Once your official booking is confirmed, our operations team will reach out to you to discuss available flight windows and transportation arrangements.

• We transfer you to the accommodations with no added fee as long as you arrive in our designated times.

• Chaperoned flights from JFK, Newark, LAX, Miami for international travel

• Option for chaperoned flight from New York to LA

• Staff provide airport check-in help and social introductions

• Receive trip details in advance, and look for name sign upon arrival

• Coordinate with program for connecting flight arrangements

• Book your own flights within the set times after confirming with program

Typical Weekday Schedule

Choose either a full-day track option or a morning and afternoon course. Your personal schedule and lunch time may vary based on your course choices.

Option 1: Full-day Track

• 8:00 AM Wake Up
• 8:30 AM Breakfast
• 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM L.A. Gourmet Experience
• 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM Lunch
• 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM L.A. Gourmet Experience
• 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM Free Time (sports, fitness center, free time, special activities)
• 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner
• 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Evening Activities

Option 2: Morning & Afternoon Courses

• 8:00 AM Wake Up
• 8:30 AM Breakfast
• 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM L.A. Gourmet Experience
• 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM Lunch
• 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Electives (Below)
• 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM Free time (sports, fitness center, free time, special activities)
• 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner
• 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Evening Activities

Afternoon Course Options as Electives:

Business:

• Business Entrepreneurship at UCLA (only for 21-day programs): Hands-on program covering all aspects of business plan development, competitive analysis, and a "shark tank" style competition.
• Social Media Marketing at UCLA: Exploration of social media platforms and their role in integrated marketing strategies.
• Stock Market & Investment Analysis at UCLA: Detailed overview of stock market investing, with practice through a simulated competition.

Social Sciences:

• Social Justice & Human Rights Forum at UCLA: Examination of human rights issues through a systems-thinking lens.
• Community Service in L.A.: Service projects with local youth and garden beautification. We are a Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
  • Students must be 16 years of age by July 1, 2024 in order to choose this option.
  • Program Length:
    • 14-day Morning or Afternoon Option: 14 hours
    • 21 & 32-day Morning or Afternoon Option: 22 hours

Creative and Applied Arts:

• Digital Photography L.A: Digital photography fundamentals, camera settings, field trips, and post-production with Adobe Photoshop.
  • * A DSLR or bridge camera with manual functions having at least a 12.0 megapixel sensor is required.

Sport and Wellness:

• Independent Workout: Personalized weight training and cardio fitness plans.
• Surfing: Surfing lessons at Santa Monica Beach for all skill levels.
  • * A supplementary fee of $220 applies.

College Prep (only for 21-day programs):

• SAT Prep: Strategies for improving SAT scores, with diagnostic exams and detailed analysis. In addition to your course, you get the following materials and extras:
  • Talented, dynamic instructor and proven methods and strategies
  • Diagnostic Exams, with detailed computer analysis of the results
  • Course Material and Workbooks
  • * A supplementary fee of $595 applies for SAT Prep.

Science and Technology:

• Crime Scene Investigation: CSI Los Angeles: Forensic science training, evidence analysis, and mock-court testimony.

Tools to Prepare for College Admissions

Workshop 1: Choosing the Right School and College Application Process

• Understand how to choose the right college for your needs.
• Learn to use tools and resources for college selection.
• Familiarize with college application elements and the Common Application.
• Develop academic and extracurricular profiles.
• Plan timelines for application, supplements, and essays.

Workshop 2: College Essay Writing

• Discover essay topics and strategies to stand out in admissions.
• Recognize the personal essay's role in the application.
• Use real examples to learn fundamental writing skills.
• Get practical advice for brainstorming, understanding prompts, and editing.

NOTE: We will send you a course choice preference form upon receipt of your application for enrollment. Your course choices will be confirmed in the spring.

• Pocket Money Advice: approximately $440 per 14 days and $635 for 21 days (Lunches, snacks, personal spending money for souvenirs, laundry $10 per week etc.) Spending money should be by Credit or Debit card. Lunch costs vary by program type, length, and destination.

• Transportation to and from the program

• Program-specific spending advice provided in spring.

• We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.

• Medical Insurance: Travelers must have adequate medical insurance for the trip. Verify your policy covers international travel. Our insurance packages can cover deductibles, but we're not responsible for the uninsured.

• Minimum beginner-level English needed (Free private English lessons or conversations available on request)