Vanelle and Emmanuel could hardly believe their luck as they boarded the plane to Boston this summer to go to Harvard University for their Summer Of A Lifetime program. Just a month before, they had been handling the everyday tasks of a 10th grader—juggling school work and extracurriculars, dreaming about this day. Then, they were suddenly on their way to Harvard’s prestigious programs, excited for their classes, the professors they would meet, and the new friends they hoped to make.

Vanelle and Emmanuel were just two of 31 Baker students who attended Summer Of A Lifetime programs this summer. Our students went to schools nationwide, from Harvard to Brown, Syracuse, and beyond. As they returned to start their junior year last month, they brought stories and experiences to share and a renewed energy for school. Sharon Callico-Blackmon, Baker College Prep’s Summer Of A Lifetime coordinator, felt the energy as soon as students returned.

“When scholars return from Summer of a Lifetime, there is a sense of pride within them because they have already embarked on their college journey while still in high school… Most of the scholars are now eager to apply to the colleges and universities they visited,” Callico-Blackmon said, “They also demonstrate a sense of maturity toward their academics compared to the previous school year.”

Another thing Callico-Blackmon notes is how students are passionate about sharing their experiences with their peers. We sat down with Vanelle and Emmanuel to hear their Summer Of A Lifetime stories. Check it out:

Vanelle participated in the two-week Law & History Cohort at Harvard—a program she chose because she wants to study law in college. Her classes focused on international law, and many were discussion-based. Vanelle loved it. She said she was able to add a lot of insight during class because she has lived in both Cameroon and the United States. She also enjoyed hearing from her peers.

“I could listen to students’ various points of view from different places. I had students in my class from all over the world, so it was interesting to learn about laws in other countries.”

Vanelle discussed a wide range of topics with her peers and professor, from traffic laws to drinking laws. One of her favorite topics was traffic laws.

“It was fascinating to learn about the differences in traffic laws around the world. The discussions were enriching and led to great conversations about why countries, states, and cities create the laws that they do,” Vanelle said.

Law and history weren’t the only things Vanelle learned more about, though. She also came back with improved academic skills.

“{The experience} showed me that I have to practice different strategies to study so that when I get to college, I already have my study skills down and can use them to keep up my good grades… I also learned that it is good to have time management because it gives me a chance to review what I did in class or prepare for an exam/test and also to build in time to relax simultaneously,” Vanelle said.

Also, as someone who is more on the quiet side and would rather keep to themself, Summer of a Lifetime helped Vanelle explore more socially.

“It showed me that I have to get out of my shell by exploring and encountering different types of people around the world,” Vanelle said.

The connections she made with other students were so strong that, one day, she even plans on visiting her peers who live across the globe.

“I am planning on visiting my friend in France. I’m excited to catch up with her and have her show me around. I am looking forward to the food, too,” Vanelle said.

Emmanuel participated in the Who Lives, Who Dies: Medicine and Society cohort at Harvard Summer School. He has been interested in medicine for a few years, so he was very excited when he got into this program. The class explored a deeper understanding of medicine on both the ethical and societal levels. During the class, Emmanuel read the book Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder, which is based on the life of Dr. Paul Farmer, a healthcare rights activist.

“This book and class have changed my outlook on the field as a whole. The most valuable lesson learned here is the broader impact a decision within medicine can have on society. Also, on how everyone deserves equal access to healthcare, no matter your situation,” Emmanuel said.

Through the readings, class discussions, and presentations Emmanuel was charged to think about what he could do to make lasting and positive changes in the world of healthcare. Being from Nigeria, Emmanuel’s final research project was centered around supporting HIV and AIDs healthcare in his home country.

Like Vanelle, Emmaunel also learned some helpful lessons about how to succeed in an academic environment. He said he learned time management skills, critical thinking, and collaboration, to name a few.

“Also, it helped me get out of my comfort zone. I was able to make friends with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and countries,” Emmanuel said.

With his outgoing and bubbly spirit, it is no surprise that Emmanuel was able to build strong connections with his professors and peers. In only a couple of short weeks, he said he was able to gain mentors and create a network of people in the medical field. He created such a strong network that he now wants to start his own chapter of Partners in Health, a global organization he learned about at Harvard that fights for universal access to healthcare.

“I am passionate about Partners in Health because I like helping people. A lot of people have helped me in the past and this is how I want to pay it forward,” Emmanuel said.

Vanelle, Emmanuel, and all their Summer Of A Lifetime peers are on the right trajectory. As Summer Of A Lifetime alumni, the likelihood that they graduate from a four-year university is 60 percent higher than their peers who didn’t go and five times higher than the rate of low-income students nationally.

Both Vanelle and Emmanuel believe that all sophomores should participate in Summer of a Lifetime. When asked what advice they would give to students participating in the program for the first time, they shared this:

Be ready to participate fully with your peers and professors, and remember: you deserve to be on that college campus, even if you are doubting yourself.