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Testimonials

On this page, you will find comments and advice from parents of COSMOS alumni. They answered the following questions:

1. Did your child experience homesickness? If so, how long did it last? How did you help your child get through it?
2. How did you communicate with your child while they were at COSMOS? Any tips on communication strategies that worked?
3. Did you visit your child on the weekends? How was it?
4. How was Opening Day and saying good-bye to your child? Anything comments that would help parents prepare for Opening Day?
5. How was Closing Day and "reuniting" with your child?
6. How has your child changed since attending COSMOS?
7. Other comments…

 

Did your child experience homesickness? If so, how long did it last? How did you help your child get through it?

"Our son did not experience homesickness… he said he was too busy!"

"This was the first time our son was away from home for more than a week… during our conversations, it seemed as though his homesickness was balanced by the fact that he really was enjoying the activities at COSMOS."

"I think my daughter experienced some homesickness, but what really got her through it was how busy you folks kept her and having a roommate that she really connected with! Certainly nothing that I did, except maybe I kept a bit of a distance that I might not have done otherwise, just so she wouldn't feel any worse. (It was good practice for me given that she is a senior this year and I am going to have to get a major grip on her leaving next year!!)"

"Take proactive steps such as emailing or faxing often or even sending packages."

"Despite our mild fears when dropping our daughter off, my husband and I were the only ones who had any adjusting to do. As we worried about how homesick she might become, she was merrily making new friends and enjoying her new role as a co-ed. She said that during the first week, when she woke up in the morning, she would start to get a little homesick, but once the activities of the day started she felt fine."

"As it turns out, the less contact we had the quicker he overcame his homesickness."

I think it was harder for us parents than it was for her, as she had so much to do and very little "down" time for her to think about home.

“A quick phone call would be okay if she was feeling really homesick. We discovered that sometimes simply the attempt of contacting the one you miss is enough to help sad feelings fade away.  After her first full weekend, she had only a moment or two of sporadic, very minor homesickness -- which she just learned to ignore by doing other things more fun.  By her last week and a half or so, I was lucky if she contacted me at all.  Needless to say, she didn't want to leave COSMOS at all by the end."

“My daughter was homesick… while it was an unpleasant experience for her, it was not a bad experience. For her, the homesickness was part of the overall learning experience. She had thought that she wanted to get as far away from parents and her "known world" as possible, but she discovered that she actually prefers an environment that is less foreign to her.  It was meaningful information to help her choose where she wants to go to college.  For her, being able to write and email home frequently helped her get through it."

How did you communicate with your child while they were at COSMOS? Any tips on communication strategies that worked?

"Email was by far the best way, due to the difference in our schedules. Phone calls also worked well when she called home on her cell."

"We used email which worked well. The lack of messages from our son was taken as a good sign."

"We set up his own free hotmail email account, and asked him to send email at least once a week. We would send email asking him questions. He was good about checking his email 1-2 times a week during his free time and responding. The COSMOS Newsletter was really helpful in keeping parents informed. I'm sure it was a lot of work for the COSMOS staff."

“We gave him a phone card that we purchased from COSTCO - it cost $20 for over 500 minutes of long distance talk time.  This was less expensive than a cell phone.  He was able to use the dorm phone to call us.”

Did you visit your child on Family Weekend? How was it?

"I did not visit on weekends, and personally wouldn't encourage it.  The kids are there to learn, and to learn to be independent, and they are in great hands.  This is a great time for them to learn to become their own person -- allow them to do it."

"We brought him home for one Sunday event… he was eager to get back to finish up work on his final project."

"Her mom visited and enjoyed her visit. But my daughter told me separately that she would have preferred not to see either of us during her COSMOS time. I support the COSMOS recommendation that parents let their kids be on their own throughout."

"We did visit our son. As time progressed, I realized that unless it was an emergency, it was best to not interrupt his routine."

"Yes, we came down and took her into town for the day. She liked that a lot."

How was Opening Day and saying good-bye to your child? Anything comments that would help parents prepare for Opening Day?

"I liked opening and closing day. I liked meeting the teachers and seeing what the students had done. The introductory remarks by the teachers made me wish I were the one staying for the course."

"Opening Day was wonderful -- the most organized school-related (or otherwise) event I've been to. The excitement and happiness were contagious.  When I left, I really felt my child was in good, safe hands. When saying goodbye to one's child, I'd advise just a nice hug, kiss, goodbye and leave. No drawn out, overly sentimental stuff. This could only make them more homesick. Don't let your own sentimental feelings spoil their special time. It's not forever, only four weeks. It seems long at first, but when they get home, to them (and to you) it seems like it flew by."

"I thought the opening was fairly well-organized. It was nice to meet the families of the students in his cluster."

"Opening day went well. Our son had been away for summer camp some years before, so saying goodbye was not difficult for us."

"Opening day was fabulous. Staff, counselors, and other COSMOnauts were all incredibly friendly and welcoming. My daughter instantly sensed that she was among people who shared many of her interests and values. To prepare for Opening Day… just do what you need to do to be quietly supportive, then relax and enjoy the experience."

How was Closing Day and "reuniting" with your child?

"I could tell that something extraordinary had occurred not just for our daughter, but for every person involved at COSMOS.  The happiness and enthusiasm was still there as on the first day, but now there was a genuine closeness and affection that was very heartwarming. She was happy to see me, was happy but urgent to spend one last day with new, special friends.  She wanted me to meet EVERYONE -- she was so proud of everything and everyone! She held up really well all day, through numerous sentimental goodbyes, but cried in the car on the way home -- partly from exhaustion, mostly from leaving a special place, special people and a special time -- one I think she knew she'd never quite experience the likes of which again."

"I think the most difficult part of that day was the students saying goodbye to their new friends."

"It was a nice presentation, and we were all very happy to be together again."

"Closing day was fine. By that time our son had mixed feelings – he was happy to be going home, but he was also sad to leave his new friends. He still keeps in touch with several of his COSMOS classmates via instant-messenger."

How has your child changed since attending COSMOS?

"COSMOS was one of the best things that we could have done for our son! He came home a better student and made friendships that I know will last!"

"I think COSMOS was a life-changing event for my daughter. She attended the summer before ninth grade and she started ninth grade full of confidence and poise, ready for anything. Her high school experience, academically and socially, so far has been the most positive of anyone's in her immediate family."

"After COSMOS, whatever little insecurity our daughter had was gone.  She started her freshman year in high school four weeks after returning and entered, I think, feeling as if she could handle anything. She started off the school year by sitting down first thing with her counselor and planning out an entire four-year plan, including taking some college courses starting in junior year. She's had a great year so far, maintaining all A’s (including 3-4 honors courses) and participating in numerous clubs and other extracurricular activities as well.  COSMOS Open Mic nights, talent show, etc., got her over her fear of getting up on a stage and she joined Drama Club and loves it. I think COSMOS contributed significantly to her self-confidence and self-esteem."

"She's the same delightful kid that she was before. A little more experienced with life, a little more confident in abilities, both academically and in dealing with life, friendships, etc."

"My daughter has become much more self-assured and comfortable with who she is.  She knows more about what she wants in life, what is important to her, and is more confident in and accepting of herself.  She is also more accepting of others.  She has a better appreciation for her friends and a broader view of people and issues. An evening lecture on particle physics that she said "put everyone else to sleep" really excited her and cinched her interest in majoring in physics in college."

"Our son became much more independent after COSMOS. He announced he would now do his own laundry, that I didn't need to remind him. He traveled to NYC by himself to visit his sister -- all good signs of growing up!"

"I think she has more confidence about her intellectual and academic abilities. Additionally I think she has a much clearer view of what going away to college might be like for her.  I think it was a great opportunity to see how many fascinating and engaging subjects there are to immerse oneself in. The greater confidence shows up by her having a lighter attitude about her schoolwork at home."

"Our son was really invigorated academically by his COSMOS experience. After his exposure to the teaching staff z, he decided that he wants to pursue teaching as a career."

Other comments…

"According to my son, COSMOS was a test for me – the mom! Since he knows that he will be going away for college which is longer and more permanent, he decided that he wasn't going to call or communicate with us as often while he was [at COSMOS]. Believe it or not, it worked! It really gave me a taste of what it's going to be like [next year], when he's away at college."