The ALI's Winter Camp focuses on improving participants' overall English language ability in an immersive U.S. cultural context. This program provides participants university-level instruction in English reading, vocabulary, speaking, listening, writing, and applied grammar, and cultural programming that includes on-campus and off-campus cultural activities. Check out our program details below. Once you're ready to apply, head over to our Admissions page to get started on an application. Have questions? Contact us at ali@umkc.edu. 

Program components 

• English Language Instruction
• Cultural Activity Package
• Service Learning Opportunities
• Housing

English Language Instruction

January and February

• Class sessions are 4 days per week, 5 hours per day, for 20 total hours of instruction per week.
• Participants are integrated into existing classes with other international students at the ALI. 

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! 

More information about CALIOPE

Cultural Activity Package

The program includes at least one activity per week, sometimes more. 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.

• Jazz performance
• WWI Museum and Liberty Memorial
• Nelson Atkins or Kemper Contemporary Art Museum
• Guided tour of Kansas City's downtown 
• Indoor rock climbing
• On-campus sporting events
• Ice skating

Service Learning Opportunities

The ALI's service learning program provides students with the opportunity to practice English in a real-world setting. Since the program began in Fall 2021, students, faculty, and staff at the ALI have volunteered with more than 10 organizations and completed more than 400 hours of service in the Kansas City community. 

The ALI will plan at least one service learning opportunity for participants. 

Housing 

Participants of the Winter Camp can choose to live in homestays or on-campus dormitories. 

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. 

UMKC on-campus housing provides private or shared rooms and bathrooms. The cost varies depending on the semester and the type of room. Participants in on-campus housing semesters are required to purchase a UMKC meal plan.

More About Housing

Program Costs (fixed)

<sup>1. Includes tuition and placement exam.
2. All students with a J-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.</sup> 

Costs not included above (variable)

• Students pay for activities as they occur. They should plan to spend approximately $200 on activities. 
• Participants will purchase textbooks on their own. Textbook costs can vary based on level placement. Contact the ALI about pre-purchasing textbooks.
• Participants should contact the ALI for meal plan options and prices. 
• 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. Homestays cost $1000 per month.
• Participants who choose to live in dormitories will be billed by UMKC for housing. Dormitories cost $30.48 per day. Linen packages cost $5 and there is a $25 application fee. 

Ready to Apply?

Apply to this Camp