SetSail

the issues

International students face many academic and social issues when they arrive in the US

our program

We teach students the fundamental critical thinking, communication, and culture skills needed to succeed in the US

The SetSail program

FOR STUDENTS (AGES 9+)
We provide classes to international students coming to the US. We teach in online, interactive, small-group formats and cover topics like English Language Arts, Debate, and Interview Preparation. Many students take our classes year after year. Our teachers are current students or recent graduates from top US colleges.

FOR JOB SEEKERS
We counsel university students, recent graduates, and other prospective workforce employees on how to best prepare for, and distinguish themselves when seeking, future employment. Such services include resume construction and editing and mock interviews.

FOR EDUCATION PARTNERS
We work with schools and educational organizations to serve their students. We provide services from mock interviews to new student orientation. We customize our offerings to fit our partners' needs.

Courses
English Language Arts
Critical Thinking
Debate
Public Speaking
Presentation
Coaching
Debate Competitions
Public Speaking Competitions
Interview Preparation
Essay Writing
Publications
Resume Editing
Custom Offerings
Educational Travel
Orientation Training
Mock Interviews

OUR instructors

Below are some of our instructors

Lucy Zhang

Harvard College (BA, Economics);
The Wharton School (MBA)

Joshua W. Bean

Harvard College (BA, Music & East Asian Studies)

Stephany Zoo

Princeton University (BA, Science & Economics)

SHAHRUKH KHAN

Harvard College (BA, Social Studies)

Peyton Fine

Harvard College (BS, Electrical Engineering)

Benito Rodriguez

Harvard College (BA, Cultural Anthropology)

Arifeen Rahman

Harvard College (BA, Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology)

ALENA FARBER

Harvard College (BA, Computer Science)

Testimonials

Throughout the years that I have taught at Wharton, I have worked with many Chinese students. They come to gain a global education and with a breadth of diverse experiences to share with their peers. However, oftentimes this learning is hampered because the Chinese students find it difficult to participate in class discussions and build strong connections with non-Chinese students. Organizations like SetSail could greatly improve the college educational experience for all students by increasing interactions between people from different backgrounds so that they are better equipped to become tomorrow’s global leaders.

Tyler Wry

Professor, The Wharton School

From the SetSail classes, I gained a new thinking framework, a deeper understanding of critical thinking, and real life practice. I got new friends who also loved to think/reflect. We debated and made progress together as we learned how to communicate effectively with people. I completed the SetSail classes and achieved living a better life in the US with the encouragement and guidance of my teachers who were super competent and nice! I hope to continue my studies with SetSail and get to know and become friends with more students who love thinking in future classes!

Lily Shen

Grade 10 Student

I found this class very useful. It teaches things like critical thinking and leadership that other classes and prep programs don’t. The teachers were always very responsible, and I am much more confident in my critical thinking and presentation skills. Thanks to all the teachers, mentors and classmates’ help, although all classes were taught online, I learned a lot. I feel that I now have expanded my thinking and have more creativity, which is truly important both at American colleges and in real life.

Sky Bo

Grade 11 Student