Summer Language & Culture (PLUS) Program

Summer 2026 Dates: August 9 – August 22

Join the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Summer Language and Culture (PLUS) program—a two-week, non-credit experience designed to boost your English skills and confidence.

Through engaging classes and immersive cultural activities, you’ll also build valuable intercultural competence.

Choose one PLUS option tailored to a specific content area: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Business, Digital Design and Fabrication/Art, or American Culture.

Apply Now

Milwaukee: A Great Place on a Great Lake

UWM is a top-tier R1 research university located in Milwaukee—a diverse, mid-sized city in the American Midwest. Known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and scenic location on the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee offers an ideal setting for language and cultural learning. Just 90 miles north of Chicago, the city provides a dynamic backdrop for participants to enhance their English proficiency and deepen their understanding of American culture.

Program Description

Interactive English Language Courses

Approximately 4 hours per day, Monday-Thursday 

  • Build confidence and improve your English with engaging English courses.
  • Morning classes bring together students from UWM’s Summer Language and Culture Program, creating a dynamic, diverse learning environment.
  • With lectures, games, discussions, hands-on activities, and content-based instruction, you will expand vocabulary, improve fluency, and develop strong communication skills.

English Language Project 
  • Team up with another student to create a short video (about five minutes) showcasing your UWM experience.
  • Choose a theme—such as classroom culture, language learning, PLUS workshops, or cultural differences—and bring it to life through interviews, storytelling, and video production.
  • Selected videos are premiered at a special end-of-program certificate ceremony and celebratory screening, giving you the chance to share your unique perspectives with the entire community.
Cultural Activities & Excursions

Authentic learning often happens by experiencing a host-country’s culture.

  • Opportunities to volunteer in the community and spend an evening with an American family allow for cultural exchange.
  • All program participants can also experience American culture independently in the evening and weekend free time. 
End-of-Program Presentation and Certificate
  • On the last class-day of the program, enjoy a screening of selected English Language Project videos.
  • After the video screenings, each participant is awarded a certificate of completion.
  • Celebrate with a traditional American BBQ.

Summer Language & Culture PLUS Options

Approximately 25 hours total, Monday – Thursday afternoons

  • Choose one of UWM’s Language and Culture PLUS options to combine English learning with a specific field of study.
  • Enjoy afternoon seminars and hands-on excursions in your chosen content area.
  • All program cultural activities are also included on Fridays, select evenings, and weekends—giving you plenty of chances to learn, explore, and have fun.

PLUS Content Options

  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Math (STEM)
  • Business
  • Digital Design & Fabrication/Art
  • U.S. Culture

Costs

The estimated cost for a 2-week program is $3,000. This per-student estimate is subject to change. The cost of the program includes the following: 

  • 13 nights in the dormitory in a double-occupancy room (linens included) 
  • Arrival welcome dinner and welcome coffee & pastry reception orientation 
  • Interactive English language classes  
  • PLUS content seminars and site visits
  • Non-refundable application fee
  • Administrative fee 
  • UWM Student ID 
  • Access to UWM’s recreational facility and Student Health and Wellness Center for non-emergency medical care
  • City of Milwaukee bus pass  
  • Cultural experiences which include transportation, entry fees, one lunch and one dinner 

The cost of the program does not include visa fees, government SEVIS fee (if applicable), airfare, travel insurance that includes emergency medical care in the U.S. and repatriation, daily meals, airport transportation, or personal expenses. This is an estimate of program costs. Final cost available in April .  

Applying for a Visa

We recommend that students apply for a tourist (B-2) visa for our program. However, we accept students with other visas and statuses as well, including:

  • F-2 visa
  • U.S. residents

If you have a different visa than what is listed above and you would like to attend our program, please email us at el-academy@uwm.edu to verify if we accept your visa type.

Please note: We do not accept students already on an F-1 visa or who need an F-1 visa.

Ready to Apply?

Apply Now