Visiting Students and Professionals Enliven Summer on Campus

July 11, 2012



From  international students rushing to class to children playing on the Great Lawn, summer is busy at St. John’s. The Office of Conference Services invites our University community to welcome the visitors who enliven campus life in July and August.

On Monday, July 16, more than 2,100 guests will be using classrooms, computer labs, dining and residence halls at almost full capacity. The laughter of more than 500 young campers will enliven our campus as part of the After-School All-Stars. In addition, more than 500 international high school students will begin English classes taught in St. John’s Language Connection program. This level of activity will continue through the first week of August, ending just in time for the return of our students.

Overall, close to 10,000 guests will be on the four New York campuses . The Office of Conference Services is delighted to tell you about them:

Some 800 members of Teach for America (TFA) are participating in intensive training courses during the evenings while teaching by day in New York City public school summer programs.

For the second year, more than 1,500 international students are visiting as part of the University’s Junior Study Vacations Program. Young people from Italy, China, Russia, Thailand and Spain will be here for two to three weeks for English classes and recreation. Specially trained St. John’s students will guide them on a tour of New York City’s highlights.

New to campus are the 3,000 high school students visiting as part of the Global Youth Leadership and National Youth Leadership / Medicine Programs operated by Envisions EMI. They will be introduced to government and medical careers by visiting the United Nations, watching “live surgery” from Marillac Auditorium and listening to lectures by industry leaders.

Conference Services continues to provide dining and accommodations for St. John’s programs such as New Student Orientation; GEAR UP; COAP; the Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic Development; coaches’ summer camps; and After-School All-Stars. At Oakdale, St. John’s Sports Academy operates summer volleyball and basketball programs under our auspices as well as hosting over 2,600 au pairs.

Providing these visitors with best-in-class, 24-7 support reflects Conference Services’ partnership with the Department of Public Safety, the Office of Information Technology and the Office of Facilities Services. Additionally, over 170 St. John’s students are engaged in various hospitality functions to support these guests.  The experience and training help students gain real-life job skills through summer employment. These combined efforts are vital to addressing the University’s strategic revenue goals and enrollment potential by furthering the global name recognition of St. John’s.

The Office of Conferences Services will continue to update you about our guests throughout the summer. Meanwhile, join us in welcoming them with St. John’s legendary hospitality.