A Year at the ALI

A look back at the 2023-2024 academic year at the Applied Language Institute:

As we approach the beginning of the new academic year, it’s a wonderful time to reflect and remember all the activities and memories that were created last year. We welcomed several cohorts of students, and ventured out into the community for fun activities and several volunteer opportunities. Take a look through our digital scrapbook to see what we were up to all year!

Fall 2023

Kicked off the fall 2023 semester with our welcome party!

The beginning of the semester also featured the Roo Fair and Orientation.

In September we celebrated Chuseok! We look forward to celebrating Chuseok again this fall.

Arguably, fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Kansas City (though short-lived). Last fall, a large group of students ventured out to Weston, Missouri to visit the Weston Orchard and pick apples!

The fall semester was full of service-learning opportunities at Harvesters, NourishKC, the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, and Jumpstart KC.

Some other highlights of the fall semester featured Korea Day, where there was delicious food, instructors Kate and Clint featured in a Mukbang video, and informative poster presentations on student’s home universities.

The fall semester was rounded out by a visit to Breakthrough KC for an afternoon of fun challenges (last photo)!

Clearly the fall semester was eventful, full of informative, hands-on activities for our Intensive English Program students. They were able to learn inside and outside of the classroom and apply their English language skills to the real-world. I think it’s safe new friendships were fostered and unique memories were made.

Spring 2024

The spring semester began as they all do, with another orientation and welcome party! Except this time, sweaters and coats are necessary.

Winter activities look a lot different! This last year featured ice skating (a favorite), a painting class, another visit to Breakthrough KC, and when warmer spring day rolled around, a visit to the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.

Of course there was more service-learning! The spring semester offered opportunities to volunteer at the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City, Kanbe’s Market, and Harvesters!

And to wrap up the semester, we held our annual ALI picnic. Tragically, we were rained out of Loose Park and had to move the festivities inside! It still turned out to be a wonderful afternoon of conversation, laughter, games, and even some musical performances from our instructors. It was a very bright rainy day.

While it was a very chilly winter, it is clear our students enjoyed their time at the ALI. It was a semester full of growth and change, and we are so excited to see what the new academic year brings us.