Study USA Charlotte offers students the opportunity to pursue an internship while participating in immersive excursions and taking classes taught by on-site professors. Here's what the first week looked like.
Study USA Charlotte welcomed its summer 2025 cohort, and the students have been busy making the most of their time in The Queen City.
After a rainy move-in day, the students gathered for a welcome reception, where they participated in bonding activities and icebreaker games, led by Associate Director Karen Neff and Program Assistant Kaitlyn Hannan.
The following day, the new cohort took their first light rail ride to the Charlotte campus, where they toured the new facility and dove into orientation. Neff kept things engaging while still offering important information on the program and the city. For example, the students got to explore Charlotte independently as they broke into groups and competed in a scavenger hunt. This activity allowed for students to get used to the light rail and to see some of Charlotte’s most iconic landmarks while bonding with other members of the cohort.
Following the scavenger hunt, the students trekked over to Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen, which is co-owned by Elon alumnus Andrew Wilen ’08. The students had a blast making a delicious Tex-Mex dish. They worked in groups, learning some basics and a few advanced cooking techniques, which Neff hopes will prepare them for a summer without access to a dining hall or their parents’ home-cooked meals. These are the types of life skills that the Study USA Charlotte programs hope to instill into the students that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
The next day, students took their first Urban Design class with Professor Ryan Kirk, who took them on a walking tour of South End, the neighborhood where the Study USA Charlotte housing and campus is located. This was followed by another orientation activity, where the students worked together to decide the most essential qualities they should emulate as interns.
Later that evening, Elon alumni in the area mingled with the new cohort at a welcome reception. Students were able to ask questions about the industries the alumni work in and gain valuable insights into the professional culture of Charlotte. It was also a nice opportunity for students to put their networking skills to the test before heading into their internships the following week.
The alumni were also invited to a lecture by Professor Kirk about the history of Charlotte’s urban design, where the students were challenged to think deeply about the choices that led to creating the Charlotte they know today.
Over the weekend, some of the students participated in an optional bonding activity- mini golf. Hannan took the cohort to The Puttery, a modern mini golf course and restaurant located near the Charlotte campus. The students were excited to see a little more of what Charlotte has to offer while engaging in friendly competition.
Students then began their internships at different organizations around the city. Some internship locations include Charlotte Off-Broadway, American Cornhole League, Special Olympics NC, the ACC and Make-A-Wish.
Overall, it was an action-packed first week in the Queen City, and the students are excited to see what else is in store for the summer!
To learn more about Study USA Charlotte and other Study USA programs, check out the Study USA website. Applications open October 1 for summer and fall 2026 programs. To learn more about the Elon Charlotte Campus, check out the National Campus Programs website.