This intensive hands-on entrepreneurship program focuses on all facets of business plan development. Learn to assess the competitive entrepreneurial environment, develop a venture concept and growth strategies, create marketing approaches, build a cohesive management team, launch operations and develop financial projections. During the program, participants work as a team to create a business and on the final day, each team presents their business plan and participates in a friendly “shark tank” type competition.

Examine the dynamic world of international business, globalization and how global markets work. You will learn about the international flow of goods and services, trade agreements, investment, foreign currency and regulation. You’ll be introduced to business problems and work on strategies to resolve them in the context of current events, both in the U.S. and abroad.

This course looks at the channels of marketing, advertising and communication that make up social media platforms, exploring how these tools fit into a company’s integrated marketing strategy. Using real-world examples from large corporations and small businesses, students explore how marketing professionals embrace online social networks, user-generated content and content sharing to create brand awareness. Learn tips and techniques to successfully leverage your own social media marketing.

This course introduces basic concepts in psychology including behavioral, cognitive and clinical psychology. Through the use of discussion, film and in-class activities, explore topics such as how to improve emotional intelligence, limitations in perception, cognitive distortions and how to improve memory. Other topics included are mental illness, stereotyping and prejudice.

This hands-on course of workshops helps students become comfortable, confident and masterful presenters. The principles presented apply to business settings as well as other activities in daily life. Learn to focus, prepare and deliver a presentation. Students make brief presentations, receive constructive feedback and personal coaching to help them overcome emotional and mental blocks.

What better way to prepare you for college and a future career than to improve your interpersonal and professional communication skills? This course allows you to develop those skills and increase your performance. Case studies include conflict management, nonverbal communication and effective listening through experiential exercises and discussions. Increase your understanding of emotional intelligence and use this ability to guide your thinking and behavior. Learn how to define personal goals and how to leverage your skills, knowledge and experience to create success in new situations.

Climate change, bans on religious freedoms, racial injustice, gender-based violence… the list of human rights violations, and social and ecological injustices are seemingly endless in the world around us.  Join this forum on social justice and human rights where we will explore a number of topics through a systems thinking lens to examine why and how unequal distributions of rights and freedoms manifest.  We will also consider our personal identities, positions and power within these systems challenging our ideas of how to make positive social change in the world in which we live. This forum will involve participant discussion.

Perform meaningful service in the communities in and around Santa Barbara. You will work on a variety of projects, ranging from environmental sustainability, to organizing donations at the LA Food Bank; projects are finalized in May. A letter recognizing 16 hours of service is issued after the summer. Westcoast Connection is a Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

For anyone with a passion for photography, no matter your level, learn about digital cameras (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, camera modes) and the basics of composition (lighting, exposure, framing, focus and blur). 

* A DSLR or bridge camera with manual functions having at least a 12.0 megapixel sensor is required.

From learning basic knife skills to creating succulent dishes, if you are a foodie, this course is for you! Whether you’re creating gourmet entrées, delicious desserts or learning quick dishes to whip up in a dorm room for college, this course is guaranteed to make you salivate. Our expert chef will help you develop technical skills in the kitchen in this hands-on culinary experience, where each class focuses on a different theme. 

* A supplementary fee of $195 applies.

Focus on your health and fitness as you follow your own independent workout regime or join in with the group. Learn to be active and listen to your body. From running, yoga, HIIT, strength training and more, you’ll complete challenges focused on helping you live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. 

Want to hang ten and ride the waves like a pro? Head to the beach in Santa Barbara where you learn how to improve balance and technique and perfect your form in no time. All levels of ability are welcome.

* A supplementary fee of $195 applies.

Improve your golf game. With time split between professional instruction and play you’ll be able to focus on improving your short game, driving, approach shots and putting. You will have access to the driving range and be able to play a round before dinner.

* A supplementary fee of $195 applies.