[UK Summer Camp: Gain Study Abroad Experience at the Lowest Cost]

With the increasing academic pressure and competition in Asia, many parents are thinking about their children's future and sending them overseas for education, even at a young age, by enrolling them in boarding schools. The trend towards early study abroad is unstoppable. However, without sufficient psychological preparation and communication, studying abroad can become a nightmare for children.

Recalling my time at boarding school, some classmates mentioned that they were sent to study in the UK without any psychological preparation, and they all faced serious adaptation issues at the beginning of their study abroad journey.

As a new father, I have witnessed the overprotective nature of Hong Kong parents. Many "little masters" and "princesses" are showered with love and care from their parents, the "four elders," or domestic helpers. These children, who have been showered with endless love, are suddenly sent thousands of miles away to the UK to live as boarders, facing everything on their own. The stark contrast is evident, and my classmates initially had a difficult time adjusting and were unhappy.

Before sending their children abroad for study, parents can consider letting them participate in summer camps organised by their desired boarding schools or similar institutions. This allows children to have a taste of the experience and see if it suits them or if they enjoy it. Boarding schools provide care for daily living needs, but children are expected to follow certain rules and learn self-management in their daily lives, such as keeping their rooms tidy and getting along well with roommates. Students who have participated in summer camps will not feel lost when they officially enter boarding schools and will be more prepared to embrace the challenges of their new lives. These summer camps can be seen as a stepping stone for children to experience independent living.

Some parents may expect their children to become fluent in English in just a few weeks of summer camp, which is unrealistic. However, summer camps can indeed help children build confidence in speaking English and adapt to an English-speaking environment in advance. Angela, who participated in a British summer camp, mentioned that she had to work on a STEM project with students from around the world and then present their learning outcomes. The team members came from different parts of the world and had different accents. This improved Angela's listening and conversational skills, laying a solid foundation for effective communication with foreign friends in her future studies in the UK.

British education is highly regarded, thanks to its "immersive" educational approach. Through diverse extracurricular activities, students learn life skills, communication techniques, and teamwork. Summer camps organised by boarding schools condense the usual learning activities, allowing students to experience the unique aspects of boarding life within a few weeks. Taking Sedbergh School's summer camp as an example, one week is dedicated to English adventure exploration by the lake, where students can challenge themselves through various water activities, outdoor rock climbing, gardening, high ropes, and group activities. After the daily curriculum, the school arranges various social and educational activities for students to participate in, such as campfires, chocolate nights, discos, and more. Through these activities, students enhance their social skills and learn to build networks.

Sending children to boarding schools is a significant investment that not only involves annual tuition fees of hundreds of thousands of dollars but also affects the growth of young children. Before enrolling their children, parents must thoroughly understand whether the study abroad experience is suitable for their children. Participating in summer camps and allowing them to "test the waters" through educational travel would be a good approach. However, with a wide range of summer camps available, how should one choose?