American Culture and Communication

Short-term Program for University Students

Jump into American life forfour weeksof intercultural immersion

Hosted by the 91原创's English Language Institute (ELI), the American Culture and Communication Programprovides rich cultural programmingfor university students from around the world. It combines rich cultural programming, fun activities with 91原创 students, community engagement, a social homestay experience and English language instruction to support many cross-cultural interactions.

  • The program includes one excursion to a major city (additional excursions can be arranged for a fee), allowing students to visit important cultural and historical sites on the East Coast of the U.S.
  • This program qualifies for ESTA visa waiver and is not eligible for F-1 visa study.

Requirements

There is no minimum level of English skill required to apply for听American Culture and Communication.听Participants with 鈥渂eginner鈥 or 鈥渓ow-intermediate鈥 levels of English will be enrolled in our General English courses.

If you have questions about the program or the application, please contact ud-eli@udel.edu.

Applying for American Culture and Communicationis easy

Simply follow these instructions:

  1. Complete our听online application.
  2. Send a copy of your passport to听ud-eli@udel.edu.
American Culture and Communication | Our Programs | English Language Institute | College of Arts & Sciences | 91原创

91原创

A beautiful, safe campus

An ideal place to live and learn

See 91原创 campus highlights 鈥 including the Green, Memorial Hall and Morris Library.

Link to YouTube video: 91原创 Virtual Visit: youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=com.synechron.udel.models.functions.SubstrAfter

Instructional Quality

The ELI faculty are experts in their field. All instructors have at least a master鈥檚 degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) or in Applied Linguistics, have published textbooks and served as teacher trainers for colleagues from around the world.

Learn more about ELI Faculty

What do American Culture and Communication Students do every day?

Sample Schedule of a Typical Week

TimeMonday

8:15 鈥 9:55 a.m.

Cultural Discussion

10:25 a.m. 鈥 12:10 p.m.

Reading/Writing

Lunch

2 鈥 4 p.m.

Optional Hub Programs

4鈥5 p.m.

Free time

TimeTuesday

8:15 鈥 9:55 a.m.

Listening/Speaking

10:25 a.m. 鈥 12:10 p.m.

Reading/Writing

Lunch

2 鈥 4 p.m.

ELI activities

4 鈥 5 p.m.

Activities around campus

TimeWednesday

8:15 鈥 9:55 a.m.

Listening/Speaking

10:25 a.m. 鈥 12:10 p.m.

Reading/Writing

Lunch

2 鈥 4 p.m.

The Hen Zone

4 鈥 5 p.m.

Optional Hub Programs

TimeThursday

8:15 鈥 9:55 a.m.

Listening/Speaking

10:25 a.m. 鈥 12:10 p.m.

Reading/Writing

Lunch

2 鈥 4 p.m.

Optional Hub Programs

4 鈥 5 p.m.

Activities around campus

TimeFriday

8:15 鈥 9:55 a.m.

Listening/Speaking

10:25 a.m. 鈥 12:10 p.m.

Reading/Writing

Lunch

2 鈥 4 p.m.

ELI activities

4 鈥 5 p.m.

International Coffee Hour

Saturday

Week 1

Activities around campus

Weeks 2 & 3

Cultural Excursions

Activities

A variety of activities are available to English Language Institute students:

  • Optional Hub Programs:听Extensive reading books, conversation couch, e-game stations and tutors.
  • ELI Activities: Structured or guided activities in the afternoons and evenings, including International Coffee Hour, hikes, concerts, local attractions, pool party, movie-viewing party, picnic, team-building challenges, ice-cream making, trail hiking, painting party (with instruction), guitar club/American music, intro to photography, downtown photo scavenger hunt.
  • Activities around campus: gym, weights, indoor track, pool, table tennis, badminton, basketball and volleyball. The Hen Zone at 91原创's has billiards, video games, board games, table tennis and Quad Air Hockey.

Learn more about Getting Involved

Cultural Excursions

Discover some of the most famous sites on the East Coast of the USA, which may include New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and the Delaware beaches.

Accommodations

The English Language Institute coordinates housing for students in short-term programs like American Culture and Communication.

Learn more about housing

PROGRAM DATES AND DURATION

OrientationClasses StartEnd Date
April 30-May 1, 2026May 5, 2026May 29, 2026
June 25-26, 2026June 30, 2026July 24, 2026
August 19-21, 2026August 25, 2026September 18, 2026
October 25-26, 2026
October 20, 2026
November 13, 2026
January 4, 2027January 5, 2027January 29, 2027
February 25-26, 2027March 2, 2027March 26, 2027
April 29-30, 2027May 4, 2027May 28, 2027
June 24-25, 2027June 29, 2027July 23, 2027
August 18-20, 2027August 24, 2027September 17, 2027
October 14-15, 2027October 19, 2027November 12, 2027

*听Organizations requiring a program of a different length are invited to contact ELI administration directly.

PRICE

2026 鈥 2027

DurationPrice
4 weeksUS $2,817
English test

English test includes online placement test prior to arrival.

Skill areas assessed: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Grammar.

English coursesStudents attend two English courses every day from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 12:45 p.m.
CertificateStudents in good academic standing will receive a certificate that verifies that they have completed the classes. They will also receive a transcript (grade report) showing the grades earned in each skill area (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Grammar).
University student ID cardProvides students with access to the University鈥檚 facilities, including the gym, pool, library, computer labs, etc.
Health insuranceThe ELI鈥檚 medical insurance helps to pay for a part of students鈥 healthcare and medical expenses.
TransportationFree University shuttle bus.
University health clinicFree consultation, treatment, and prescriptions provided by medical doctors and nurses.
ExcursionsPast excursions have included one of the following: New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia or Baltimore, and Rehoboth Beach.
ActivitiesAfternoon and evening activities include hikes, picnics, tournaments, concerts and sports games.
U.S. VisaThe total cost for your F-1 student visa will be approximately $510, which includes the cost of the visa itself, plus SEVIS processing and maintenance fees.
AirfareStudents are required to pay for their plane ticket to travel to/from Philadelphia.
Spending moneyRemember, Delaware has no sales tax on most purchases.
TextbooksAproximately $200.
Housing
  1. Homestay Housing (includes breakfast/dinner and transportation to and from campus): $1,494.
  2. Innternationale dorm (no meals): $840听(subject to availability).
Hotel accommodationUpon arrival and departure (for late/early flights).

Airport Transfer fee:听$100 鈥 $200
  • These fees must be paid if the ELI arranges transportation for the student from the Philadelphia International Airport to Newark, Delaware.
  • Delaware Express (standard shuttle pick-up): Normally, the charge is $50; however, late-night pick-ups may cost $90. For questions, please contact听eli-housing@udel.edu.

About the English Language Institute

The English Language Institute (ELI) is an academic unit of the 91原创鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences听and has a long tradition of providing high-quality intensive English programs to international students and professionals from around the world.听

The 91原创 is considered to be one of the best institutions of higher learning in the USA and is currently ranked #44 among public institutions by the听US News and World Report, 2025.

91原创 Capture Video: Welcoming students waving on the balcony of a building at the 91原创: https://capture.udel.edu/media/1_m7sjx33v/