The ALI's Business English Camp features an immersive English language curriculum, providing field experience and business communication focused English instruction.
Contact the ALI Director at jdslagoski@umkc.edu.
Once you're ready to apply, head over to our Admissions page to get started on an application. Students will be tested prior to enrollment as they are required to have at least a B1 level of English.
Have questions? Contact us at ali@umkc.edu.
English language instruction will introduce U.S. business culture and communication, providing an overview of U.S. business norms, expectations, and key vocabulary. Instruction will also focus on professional language for meetings and negotiations as well as cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills. Students will have opportunities to practice their reading, writing, and discussion skills.
Participants' proficiency is determined by the ALI's placement exam, CALIOPE. This exam is entirely online. Participants can take it at any time and anywhere in the world. Students must place into level 3 or higher in order to participate in this camp. Learn more about our placement exam on the CALIOPE site.
In the afternoons, students will visit local businesses and organizations in the Kansas City metropolitan region, where they will go on guided tours and speak with business representatives on topics of interest.
List of potential Kansas City business visits:
Hallmark, Burns & McDonnell, American Royal Kansas City, MRIGlobal, AMC Theatres, T-Mobile, Dickinson Financial Corp, American Century Investments, Van Trust Real Estate, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Baum Capital Partners, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc., Bernstein Rein Advertising, Inc., Kansas City Life Insurance, The Commerce Trust Company, McCownGordon Construction, Copaken Brooks, JE Dunn Construction, Evergy, Inc., DataLocker Inc., Generator Studio, Helix Architecture+Design, iBossWell, Inc., ECCO Select, ReeceNichols Real Estate, CBIZ, Inc., Global Prairie
The camp includes one activity per week. The ALI will arrange special activities for participants. Below is a list of possible activities. Specific activities will depend on the time of year, group size, and participant interest.
Participants can choose to live in homestays or on-campus dormitories for four-week programs. For short-term stays, a nearby hotel is recommended.
Participants living in a homestay have a private room in an American home, bathrooms can be private or shared. The cost for a homestay is $1000 per month and includes breakfast and dinner. Homestay costs are paid directly to the host. Participants will have the opportunity to communicate directly with their host prior to arrival to agree upon a method of payment. Homestay participants can expect to spend approximately $12 per day on lunch. Exact meal costs will vary based on individual choices.
UMKC on-campus housing provides private or shared rooms and bathrooms. The cost varies depending on the semester and the type of room. The current estimated cost of a dormitory for Fall 2025 is $913.92 for 29 days.1 Participants in on-campus housing during the fall/spring semesters are required to purchase a UMKC meal plan. During the summer, participants should budget for approximately $50 per day for meals, if not living in a homestay. Contact the ALI for meal plan options and prices.
Hotels in the Country Club Plaza area are a short 7-10 minute drive or 30 minute walk from UMKC Volker Campus. All recommended hotel accomodations feature rooms with either 1 king or 2 queen size beds and a microwave and mini fridge. The cost varies dependent on the season, dates of reservation, and length of stay.
For cost estimates and more details on accomodations, visit More About Housing:
1. Includes dormitory rate per/day+ $5 linen package + $25 application fee.
Four-week Business English on a J-1 visa:
|
Fall 2025 & Spring 2026
|
|
| Item | Estimated Cost |
| English Language Instruction1 | $1,268.60 |
| Student Life fee2 | $352.80 |
| Int'l Student fees2 | $225.00 |
| Cultural Activity Package | $200.00 |
| Health Insurance3 | $223.00 |
| Total | $2,269.40 |
Four-week Business English on a F-1 visa:
|
Fall 2025 & Spring 2026
|
|
| Item | Estimated Cost |
| English Language Instruction1 | $1,268.60 |
| Student Life fee2 | $352.80 |
| Int'l Student fees2 | $225.00 |
| Cultural Activity Package | $200.00 |
| Health Insurance3 | $223.00 |
| Total | $2,269.40 |
1. Includes tuition (based on 3 credit hours) and placement exam, based on 2025-2026 tuition rates.
2. Academic year Student Life fee for up to 6.99 credit hours is $352.80. Summer Student Life fee for up to 3.99 credit hours is $210.60, a lower rate than spring/fall student life fee, as of Summer 2025. Summer Int'l Student fees also vary.
3. All students with a J-1 or F-1 visa are required to purchase health insurance through UMKC (https://www.umkc.edu/isao/admitted-students/health-insurance.html). Health insurance is $223 per calendar month, subject to change.
