Designing Your Perfect Summer at Princeton
Summer is a time for relaxation, exploration, and personal growth, and for Princeton students, the options are vast and varied. While the OURSIP and ReMatch programs are popular choices, they are not the only avenues for summer activities.
One unique opportunity is the Princeton in Leipzig program, a study abroad experience organised by the Princeton Music Department in collaboration with the Princeton German Department. This program offers students a chance to immerse themselves in Leipzig's rich musical heritage through seminars.
For those with an interest in software engineering, the Software Engineering Summer School is a two-day program designed to help researchers and students advance their coding skills. Topics covered include version control, software testing, and continuous integration.
The Pace Center's Summer Service Internships, although the application deadline for summer 2025 has passed, provide opportunities for students to engage in community service projects. Keep an eye out for future application windows for similar programs.
While not specifically a summer research internship, the Princeton School on Science and Global Security, running in October, offers students a chance to engage with global security issues. It is targeted at graduate students and postdoctoral researchers but may be of interest to advanced undergraduates with relevant backgrounds.
For more specific research opportunities, students might consider exploring programs offered by other universities or institutions. The Summer 2025 Research Programs for high school students, for instance, might have parallels for Princeton undergraduates. Additionally, researching external organisations and institutions offering summer research programs can provide a broader range of opportunities.
Taking a break during the summer, such as staying at home and catching up on sleep, can be beneficial for recharging and preventing burnout. A change of scenery during the summer, whether it's at Princeton or abroad, can bring new energy and perspective. The most important thing is that a summer activity aligns with one's needs and doesn't feel pressured to match others' expectations.
The Center for Career Development at Princeton offers help with resumes, applications, and brainstorming ideas for those seeking guidance on funding for summer research opportunities. Summer research can lead to new discoveries and set the stage for future projects, making it an exciting and rewarding option for Princeton students.
In alignment with the summer's focus on education-and-self-development and personal-growth, Princeton students can seize the chance to participate in the Princeton in Leipzig program, immersing themselves in Leipzig's musical heritage through seminars, or engage in the Software Engineering Summer School, a two-day program designed for advancing coding skills and learning about software testing, version control, and continuous integration. Both programs provide unique learning opportunities for personal growth.
