Come engulf yourself in Kansas City’s culture while learning essential skills in Leadership and Writing or other non-vocational fields through Avila’s summer Immersion Camp! This program pairs 18 clock hours of classroom instruction each week with excursions throughout Kansas City.
You will walk away with a deeper understanding of life in the United States and will you benefit from courses in non-vocational fields at an affordable price. Come experience this unique educational opportunity, form community and establish lifelong friendships.
FIRST SESSION: June
SECOND SESSION: July
Location: AVILA UNIVERSITY
11901 Wornall Road, KCMO
COST: $4,800.00 per session
(Some program offerings may have additional costs associated based on length of program.)
Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
Why Attend?
- Insurance fees
- Tuition for two courses in non-vocational fields
- University resident hall housing
- Daily meals in the university cafeteria or at excursion locations.
- City transportation for excursions and airport transfers.
(This fee excludes international airfare to and from Kansas City.)
Courses Offered
These courses are designed to enhance academic knowledge and critical thinking skills, which can be beneficial in various professional environments.
- CO 321 – Leadership: This course offers an overview of leadership theories and emphasizes personal leadership development across various settings. Students explore the evolution of leadership theories, analyze case studies, and assess their own leadership qualities to create a personalized development plan.
- AR 150 – Digital Citizenship: Divided into three sections—Digital/Media Literacy, Active Citizenship, and Community Communication—this course examines responsible and appropriate technology use. Students develop skills in communication literacy, etiquette, and become responsible, healthy, and secure digital users.
- EN 222 – Technical Writing: Focusing on writing within specialized fields, this course emphasizes clarity, conciseness, and accuracy. Students practice techniques needed for technical communication, tailoring their writing to specific discourse communities.
Excursions
Come experience Kansas City through this immersion program. Students will be fully immersed in Kansas City culture through a variety of activities!
Special Highlight: Kansas City will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™—a once-in-a-lifetime global event!
Learn more at Kansas City FIFA World Cup 2026.
Highlights
Students will also enjoy leadership activities and service opportunities during their stay over the program! Community and serving the dear neighbor are fundamental values at Avila and every student will feel a part of the culture while on campus! Many activities are centered around getting to know one another while serving in acts of community service.
To review a sample schedule,
Download the Summer Immersion Program guide (PDF)
Testimonials
Transcript
Hello everyone, my name is Diana. I’m from Russia and I spent a summer semester at Avila University and this experience was completely unforgettable. I would like to say thank you to Avila for the welcoming.
I was really impressed how welcoming people are at Avila University and how many opportunities it provides to us. Even though it was summer, we managed to meet so many wonderful people and to expand our mindset so much, just because of the staff and other students. It’s a very wonderful university to study at and I would definitely recommend everyone to at least try yourself here.
Transcript
Hi, my name is Valentina and I’m an exchange student here at Avila University from Russia. What I want to say is that I have had the best summer ever here. Of course, it wasn’t very easy at first because it was difficult to make friends here, but still, soon after I met some wonderful people who made this summer brighter for me. I’m talking about you, Begun, Henry, Tino, Noah — cannot mention you as well — and Andrew also.
I’ve traveled a lot here — to New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Seattle. And the thing is, wherever I went, I always felt the urge to come back home, to come back to Kansas City, my second home. And I will always be grateful for everything that happened to me here — for the memories, for the friends, and for the family that I’ve gained here. Thank you so much.
Transcript
Good morning. My name is Roshani Hujana and I’d like to say a big thank you to Avila University for all the experience I’ve had here and for all the people I’ve met here, because it was just something that I’ve never done before. And especially I’d like to thank all the professors and Andrew for everything he did for us. And I’d like to give extra points for the canteen that we visited just yesterday, because it’s totally different from something that we have in Russia.
I don’t know — it’s difficult to put into words because everything that happened here is totally different from something that I’ve had back in Russia. And I’d like to keep this mindset that I’ve earned here when I go back home, because it actually makes you — I don’t know — it’s like a level up, and I’d like to be like this all the time. Thank you.
Transcript
Hi, I’m Ra Mukusha. I’m an international Russian student at Avila University and I’d like to share my experience. It was a wonderful time here and thank you to advisor Andrew and thank you to our international office for creating such a good environment to be here. Also I would like to mention the people here on campus — they are really helpful, and I would like to highlight Roc from the international student office. And it was really impressive for me to exchange culture on campus and not only on campus but as you travel all around the United States.
I feel that Kansas City is the best place to live — not only to travel, like New York City, LA, and cities like that — but to live and to create your own space. Thank you.
Transcript
Hello everyone. My name is Maria Koshala and I spent a really incredible summer in Kansas City at Avila University. It was just an amazing summer with amazing people and like Midwest soul. I’m so thankful to Avila. Here you can really grow as a person, student, and creative. At Avila University you really can grow as a person and student. This place gives you so many opportunities to become yourself.
Contact
International Student Services
Alan James Martin, Ph.D., Assoc VP of International Enrollment, Student Affairs & DSO
P: 816.501.3622 / E: alan.martin