Writing College Life in NYC: A Journey in Reading and Writing

July 6-16, 2026 Rose Hill

3-Credit Course

In this course, students develop writing and reflective thinking skills through an exploration - literary, music, arts and otherwise - of this dynamic and diverse city. By exploring our differences and identifying common ground in NYC through writing, reading, and outings, we will come to reflect on what makes each Summer Leaders Academy student unique in their college journey and what makes a college community.

Skills/Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Develop a critical awareness of different genres of traditional and multimedia writing, including short stories, poetry, essays, journalism, and visual arts.
  • Turn personal experiences in, and feelings about, NYC into bigger reflections on wider social and historical context through journal writing.
  • Interpret New York's City cultural landscape critically and reflect on how their unique insights about the city can contribute to their sense of belonging and learning experience at Fordham.
  • Understand the interdisciplinary work and research at Fordham by introducing students to different forms of media. 
  • Cultivate aesthetic appreciation of cultures and subcultures and solidify students' identity as compassionate global citizens.

Overall Takeaways

Being in a new environment can be a daunting challenge. Through this writing and reading course, which involves in-person engagement with the city, students will learn how to adjust themselves in their college life while also learning key ideas and techniques used in various writing styles. 

Instructor Bio

Wing Tan Lai is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of English. She gained her master’s degree in English at Oxford University. Apart from her passion for writing and reading, she is an amateur photographer and loves capturing mundane but humane moments in NYC. She has abundant experience in teaching undergraduate writing. 

Course Details

Writing College Life in NYC: A Journey in Reading and Writing
July 6-16, 2026, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
3 credits
Rose Hill Campus
Instructor: Wing Tan Lai

Course Number: IDIS 1101 RT2
CRN: 15874

Please note that this is a college course and that Fordham students may also be enrolled, which will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about life at Fordham.

Tuition

Residential: $5,039.00
Tuition for the residential program includes the course, course materials, housing, meals, and excursions in and outside of class. Move-in is Sunday afternoon, the day before classes begin. Please click here for a more detailed calendar of important dates.

Commuter: $3,832.00
Tuition for commuters includes the course, course materials, lunches, and excursions in and outside of class. Additional meals are available on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Students may wish to bring funds for incidentals, shopping at the Fordham Bookstore, souvenirs, and any personal items they wish to purchase.

Apply

Application deadlines:

Course and housing: May 1, 2026; course only: May 29, 2026. Please note that admission decisions are rolling until the class is full, and course caps are around 20 students. Apply by April 1, 2026 to be considered for a limited number of need-based discounts. We recommend early application.

Application Requirements: this credit-bearing course is open to rising high school seniors; exceptional rising juniors will also be considered. The course is recommended for those with a 3.0 or better. No prior experience with the subject matter is required.

To apply, you will need:

  • a copy of your high school transcript and your fall report card if the grades are not reflected on your transcript.
  • a writing sample from one of your high school courses.
  • a letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor if you are a rising junior.

Please make note of the course details above because you will select your course as part of your application.

There is a $75 fee to apply and a $300 deposit to secure your seat. Housing requires a $50 deposit. All payments will be treated as deposits toward your final bill.

Apply

If you are not ready to apply, you can sign up to stay informed about the Fordham Summer Leaders Academy too, or email us with questions!

Immersion 2 Resident Move-In/Move-Out

Date  Resident Information
June 12 All medical forms and consents due
July 5 Move-in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., all Immersion 2 students 
July 11 Move-out between 6 and 9 p.m., Immersion 2 One-Week students
July 17 Move-out before 10 a.m., Immersion 2 Two-Week students

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