Begin your year with the most exciting experience: CISL’s Winter Jr. Program in San Diego! Converse International School of Languages offers an exciting winter program for teens who would like to improve their English and enjoy life in beautiful California.
Three words come to mind when describing CISL’s Winter Program: adventurous, fun, and action-packed! CISL organizes numerous after-school activities for its Junior Program students. Take a look at an example of a week in the life of a CISL Winter Junior Program student and see the fun that’s planned for you outside of the classroom.
What to Expect as a CISL Winter Jr. Program Student in San Diego
Arriving/getting settled
CISL welcomes its students on Monday and provides an orientation to the school and a tour of Downtown San Diego and Seaport Village. Enjoy the stunning architecture of Downtown SD as you walk down Broadway Street, which ends at the beautiful San Diego Bay. Watch the boats on the Bay, check out the view of Coronado Island, stroll through the shops in Seaport Village, and grab a snack at one of the Village’s cute shops.
By the end of your first day, you will have an excellent overview of how CISL works, and you will also have an understanding of what there is to see and do in Downtown San Diego. You will also have met many new friends and CISL staff members!
Weekday afternoons
Classes are from 9 am to 12:40 pm Monday through Friday. After class, CISL organizes an activity every day after school. Students can expect anything from ice skating to whale watching!
Here are some of the many activities that are on the typical CISL Activities Calendar:
Riding the ferry to Coronado Island
Enjoy the beautiful views of the San Diego Bay, Downtown San Diego, and Coronado! Click here for some more information on past Coronado Ferry trips.
Sightseeing in beautiful Balboa Park
Did you know the Balboa Park is the largest park west of the Mississippi River? And that it has museums, restaurants, parks, theaters, and even a dog park? There’s always some exciting happening! Click here for our Insider’s Guide to Balboa Park.
Visiting the World Famous San Diego Zoo
San Diego’s Zoo is one of the most beautiful places to learn about the animals, birds, and insects of the world (and its animal and nature shows are incredible)! Click here to learn more about trips to the Zoo.
Hiking at Torrey Pines State Reserve
Torrey Pines is one of the most famous hiking destinations in San Diego. It is easy to see why: its beautiful trails overlook the Pacific Ocean! Learn more about Torrey Pines by clicking here.
Ice Skating!
Ice skating in San Diego? It might sound strange, but during the holidays, San Diegans love to ice skate! The only difference? When you ice skate in San Diego, you do it on the beach! The Hotel del Coronado has a beautiful ice skating rink, which promises a memorable skating experience.
Shopping at the San Ysidro Outlets or Fashion Valley
Banana Republic, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Oakley, Vans . . . you name it, and you can find it (cheap!) at the outlets! Fashion Valley, which is located just a few miles from CISL, is exactly what you’d expect: shopping heaven! Click here for our Shopping Guide to SD.
Touring historic Old Town San Diego
Are you in the mood for delicious Mexican food? Travel back in time when you visit Old Town, and make sure to grab some tacos at one of their many Mexican restaurants. YUM.
Visiting Ocean Beach and the farmer’s market
Ocean Beach is a neighborhood with a very relaxed vibe: enjoy it (and its beautiful beaches and pier) during a trip to their farmer’s market. Make sure to also check out the vendors who sell handmade items. The market is a great place to find some souvenirs.
Organized sports in the park
CISL encourages its students to stay active while studying in San Diego, which is why we organize sporting events. Join in on the fun! Click here for our Guide to Exercise for CISL Students.
Exploring the La Jolla Cove and Downtown La Jolla
La Jolla’s stunning cove and green waters are a must-see for anyone visiting San Diego, and its charming shops in La Jolla are fun to browse!
Riding the roller coasters at Belmont Park/Enjoying Mission Beach
Beaches and roller coasters? A perfect combo! Mission Beach is always a great place to spend the day, but it’s even more fun thanks to Belmont Park, whose roller coasters provide an excellent view of the beach and Mission Bay. Make sure to grab some cotton candy while you’re at Belmont!
Touring the USS Midway
Not only does the USS Midway allow you to access an old Navy ship, but it also provides great views of the San Diego Bay and Downtown. Once you’re on the top deck of the ship, make sure to see the collection of old airplanes and helicopters.
Whale Watching
January is whale watching season in San Diego, and the tours do not disappoint: as the whales travel down to Baja, Mexico, they often jump out of the water and “perform.” It’s incredible to see! Dolphins are also common sites on this fascinating tour. Click here for some info on whale watching in SD!
Weekends
Saturdays are for day-long excursions! Spend the day on the beach in Coronado, visit the Zoo, or hang out in Mission Beach (maybe play some volleyball?) on Saturday.
After a long week of activities and school, Sundays are for relaxing with your host family. Many host families enjoy barbecues or other family activities during this day, while others love showing students some of the sights in San Diego.
For more information on CISL’s Junior Programs, visit our website.