Student Testimonial: Summer Discovery at UCLA

Halle Michael - Summer Discovery at UCLA Anderson Business Program

Why did you choose to participate in this program?

The reason I decided to attend a college program for high school students was that I wanted to challenge myself and at the same time, have fun and make new friends. Summer Discovery gave me the option to experience both and with how long they've been at UCLA, I knew I was in good hands.

How did you decide that Summer Discovery at UCLA was right for you?

I was really unsure at first so I decided on something new and different and out my comfort zone. I knew UCLA was a large campus and a large program for Summer Discovery so that made me a bit nervous, but I really felt like I was in a tight-knit group right from the start. I knew the college environment was going to be really beneficial for me too and help me be more independent. LA also had so much to offer as far as activities and things to do so outside of class, I knew I would never be wondering what to do next. I knew the UCLA Anderson program would push me academically but also give me a healthy balance of having a social life, too.

What was a typical day in your program?

We were in classrooms in the UCLA Anderson School of Management so it felt professional and gave me my preferred learning experience. We'd have lectures with interactive activities and guest speakers and then most of the time, we'd be working in groups. We'd be working together, collaborating, and coming up with ideas for our final program project which we were given a lot of freedom for. We came up with an app and then had to complete an official proposal and presentation for it that we presented to our class and our professors and received feedback for. We were given the tools and then had complete control over how we got to put them into practice.

What was the most memorable moment of your time with Summer Discovery at UCLA?

Making new friends while getting to experience everything LA has to offer. Between the group work in our class and then the activities Summer Discovery planned for us, I made so many memories and met so many new people.

What advice do you have for teens looking at programs?

Don't be afraid to go for something new and out of your comfort zone. I wanted to stay in my program longer and choosing the Summer Discovery at UCLA Anderson program was the best decision I ever made. It was really easy to meet people and there was a ton of stuff to do so don't be worried that you're not going to have fun - you totally will!