My major is focused on international studies and foreign languages. I originally planned to go to Japan this summer, but things did not work out recently, so right now this leaves me with nowhere to go during the summer. The only summer program I applied to was TASP, but I got rejected for that so… 
Right now almost all of the summer programs have past their deadlines for receiving any further applications. I need to apply to a good program by the next two weeks if there is any. I have no idea of what to do right now since it is already this late. Should I apply to an internship instead? Should I even try to apply to a summer program?
It seems that the only good thing I have for college right now is a good GPA. I have never attended a summer program last year, and I am going to be a senior this year and apply to college. How should I prove to college my interests in languages and cultures if I cannot even go to a summer program focused on this area? They will probably view me as some kind of nerd with no social skills…
How about volunteering with immigrants or young readers in your own area? Sure, you won’t be teaching Japanese but you can learn more about languages and cultures. You seem to be placing an overemphasis on " summer programs."
@CheddarcheeseMN The thing is I am currently in China. I heard due to the fact that many Chinese students often cheat and tell lies about their extracurricular programs, colleges do not really believe in stuff that Chinese students do in China. No offence, this is something that I heard, but I am not sure if it is really worth it to volunteer with people in China.
Understood. Public interest work in China is different from in the US. There are political issues as well. Nonetheless. there are organizations that you may be able to work with. Try the American Red Cross, or another US organization that is there currently. Also, Greenpeace East Asia, National Resource Defense Counsel. US news organizations could use volunteers in the office. Look for the NY Times bureau, the Christian Science Monitor, Wall Street Journal, NPR, etc. Just go and volunteer there. Here’s a list of NGOs in China. I would contact the US ones and just volunteer to help for the summer–
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_non-governmental_organizations_in_China
It is too late now, but I highly recommend you apply for NSLI-Y. I’m currently sitting in my host family’s house in Morocco as I type this. The entire program is free, and you can apply for either the summer session for next year, or take an entire gap year. I’m halfway through my summer session right now and it has been the best experience of my life so far.
@DeathEater Thanks a lot for the info!