The International Summer School has opened for 2010, with record numbers of students taking part in the biggest ever year of the ISS.

Now in its 12th year, the ISS is hosting 530 students from 39 countries; many come from the United States, others from Denmark, Germany, Greece, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.

The students come for four or eight weeks and take one intensive class in each four-week period.

Although many participants come from partner institutions - such as the University of California, Penn State, Rutgers (New Jersey), Anahuac (Mexico), Gardner-Webb (North Carolina), Cal Poly (California) and Illinois - others come from more varied backgrounds, including mature students and professionals, and some are students in their final year of high school.

This summer, students could choose from more than 60 classes in a range of subjects, from chemistry to English literature to international relations. The most popular class this summer is physics, with 200 students working their way between lectures, labs and workshops.

Other popular classes are 'The London Look' which includes two trips to London and the V & A museum; 'English Folklore', with field trips to Stonehenge and the Long Man of Wilmington; 'British Theatre', which visits several productions in London and at the Chichester festival; and 'Financial Markets and Institutions', which includes a trip to the Bank of England in London.

'Children's Literature' and 'Childhood Social Development' are also popular.

Most students live on campus and take part in a social programme that includes walks on the Downs, karaoke at East Slope (a perennial favourite), weekly pub quizzes and organised outings into Brighton. A team of current Sussex students and finalists serve as student guides, introducing the visitors to life at Sussex, in London and in Britain.

A number of optional trips are organised every year including Brussels, Cambridge, an ever-popular trip to Stonehenge and Bath, several trips to productions at the Globe Theatre, and a London river-boat cruise.

The ISS is now part of the Centre for Community Engagement (CCE). The newly appointed Director of the ISS is Chris Sykes, who has added the post to his existing role as Director of CCE's Adult Summer School.

Chris says: "I look forward to consolidating the excellent work of my predecessors at the same time as developing the summer school in new and innovative ways."