New England charm, dorm life and making friends from around the world are just a few of the experiences that two Walter Reed Middle School students are having this summer.

Eighth-graders Amanda McParlane and Shaina Vinson are each attending Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire as recipients of scholarships to the school's "Access Exeter" summer program.

The girls, who left for school on July 5, are now in classes for five weeks.

Amanda is part of "Project Exeter: A Greener Earth," with courses in architecture, alternative energy sources and political science.

Shaina is a member of the "Global Community" cluster, studying modern languages, English Literature and philosophy, with an emphasis on contemporary global issues.

In addition, each of the girls participate in sports, campus lectures/presentations and weekend field trips for their particular programs.

Amanda and Shaina will return to the Walter Reed IHP and SAS programs, respectively, in the fall. They are among 720 students from around the world attending school at Phillips Exeter this summer.