Shawn Deng, G11 邓舒译

This summer I spent six weeks at UC Berkeley in a program that has become one of my most memorable experiences. I took two courses — Psychology and Cognitive Science.

The Psychology class deepened my understanding of topics I’m studying in AP Psychology and gave me the chance to explore them at college level. Cognitive Science was entirely new to me and introduced a different way of thinking about the mind, perception, and computation.

It was also my first time taking real college courses, which was both exciting and challenging.

The learning environment at Berkeley felt different from a previous summer program I attended at UCLA. Many classmates were current college students or high school seniors from around the world, and the mix of ages and backgrounds made discussions richer. Hearing diverse perspectives pushed me to question assumptions and to think more critically about the course material.

A highlight was my Cognitive Science final project. I worked with a student from Vietnam and a student from the United States. We brainstormed extensively, divided tasks according to our strengths, and supported each other through setbacks.

Collaborating across cultures taught me practical teamwork skills — communication, compromise, and project management — and we became good friends in the process.

Outside class I met people from many countries; we explored campus together, shared meals, and exchanged Instagram accounts to stay connected. Living away from home for six weeks forced me to manage my schedule, balance coursework and social life, and handle everyday responsibilities independently.

Beyond academic content, the program showed me what college learning feels like: fast-paced, discussion-driven, and collaborative. It strengthened my interest in cognitive science and psychology and gave me confidence in my ability to thrive in a university setting.

I returned home more independent, more curious, and more certain about the kinds of studies I want to pursue.