High School Study Abroad
Trimester I Semester I Academic Year
Go Abroad. Get Ahead.
Studying abroad in high school provides unforgettable experiences and helps you stand out on college applications. CIEE offers two unique ways to explore the world: authentic immersion abroad in a local high school or following U.S.-aligned courses with a small cohort of peers at a CIEE center.
Differentiators
CIEE High School Study Abroad Immersion In Programs
Fully immersive experience in a local high school.
CIEE High School Study Abroad Semester In Programs
U.S.-aligned coursework with a cohort of CIEE peers.
Study Abroad Scholarships
Merit and need-based scholarships are available this fall, making study abroad more accessible to all.
Two Ways to Study Abroad in High School
Make your high school experience extraordinary—and your college application unforgettable. CIEE High School Semester Abroad programs deliver high school classes and a once-in-a-lifetime experience that sets you apart from your peers.
CIEE High School Study Abroad "Immersion In" Programs
Spend a high school semester abroad living with a host family, enrolled in a local high school, and improving your foreign language skills while experiencing deep immersion in a local culture.
CIEE High School Study Abroad "Semester In" Programs
Spend a high school semester abroad following U.S.-aligned high school classes. Design your own schedule, combining in-person instruction at a CIEE center with online offerings delivered by ASU Prep Global, one of the world’s leading accredited online high school programs.
CIEE High School Study Abroad Immersion In Programs
CIEE High School Study Abroad Immersion In Programs
- Barcelona, Spain
Spend a semester abroad in Barcelona, perfecting your Spanish in a city where Mediterranean sunshine meets daring architecture and vibrant street life.
- Monteverde, Costa Rica
Spend a semester in Costa Rica discovering nature, building friendships, and speaking Spanish every day.
- Dublin, Ireland
Spend a semester abroad in a city of castles, legends, and rain-washed streets.
- Kyoto, Japan
Spend a semester abroad in Japan’s ancient capital, where centuries-old temples meet manga shops and neon-lit streets.
- Merida, Mexico
Spend a semester abroad in Mexico’s safest city, where pastel streets and tropical heat meet music-filled plazas and incredible flavors.
- Paris, France
Spend a semester abroad in Paris, mastering French and diving into art, science, and café culture.
CIEE High School Study Abroad Semester In Programs
CIEE High School Study Abroad Semester In Programs
- Sydney, Australia
Live and learn in the Southern Hemisphere while embracing Australia’s sunny climate and vibrant communities.
Improve your language skills as you soak in the richness and diversity of French culture.
- Florence, Italy
Become fluent in Italian in the birthplace of the Renaissance.
- Merida, Mexico
Surround yourself with tropical landscapes and ancient temples while living in Mérida, one of the safest cities in North America.
Perfect your Spanish and soak in the vibrant culture of daily life in Spain.
What Are the Benefits of Going Abroad During High School?
Just 2% of American high school students study abroad, and even fewer spend a full semester abroad. CIEE High School Semester Abroad programs offer invaluable experiences that enhance your academic career and attract the attention of college admissions officers. CIEE High School Study Abroad programs offer invaluable experiences that enhance your academic career and attract the attention of college admissions officers. You will gain self-confidence, learn to navigate new challenges, and form lasting friendships and experiences that last long after your program ends.
On CIEE High School Semester Abroad programs, you will:
- Experience immersion in a culture and language
- Attend a reputable, well-established local high school or study at a CIEE center abroad earning transferable credit through ASU Prep Global
- Live with a carefully screened host family (except for Monteverde, where you will live in dorm-style housing on the CIEE campus)
- Get to know your host country as a local
- Make lifelong friends and unforgettable memories
- Have the support of CIEE staff every step of the way
After participating in the program, you will gain a global perspective, intercultural skills, communication skills, language skills, independence, and maturity—and life-long friends, too.
To discuss your options with a CIEE Enrollment Coordinator, schedule a call.
Questions About CIEE High School Study Abroad Programs
Founded in 1947, CIEE is the most tenured and largest international exchange nonprofit organization in the U.S.
CIEE High School Semester Abroad programs include carefully-screened host families as well as group excursions, which are made possible by our decades of experience and in-country resources. With our own study centers near each location, our students are provided with 24/7 support from local CIEE staff while they are on program. Safety is our #1 priority and students receive international insurance to cover accidents or illnesses throughout their stay.
- Airfare to and from your country
- Visa guidance and support (if needed)
- Carefully-screened homestay (except for Monteverde, where students will live in housing on the CIEE campus)
- Placement in local high school or high school classes at a CIEE center
- 3 meals per day (dietary needs can be accommodated)
- Pre-departure advice and orientation
- CIEE led excursions
- Comprehensive medical and travel insurance
- 24/7 Emergency on-site support
All CIEE High School Semester Abroad programs include placement with a carefully-screened host family except for Monteverde, where students will live in dorm-style housing on the CIEE Monteverde campus. On program, students will be in a safe and nurturing environment, improve their communication skills, and be fully immersed in their country’s customs and culture.
If credit transfer is your number one priority, our CIEE High School Study Abroad Semester In programs are the ideal choice. Students participating in Semester In programs will receive sample transcripts, providing you with examples of courses you can take to show your school administrators and ensure your credits will transfer.
Prior to departure, CIEE provides high school semester abroad students a packing list tailored to their program destination. Included in the readings section of their MyCIEE account, the list helps students remember to bring the most important items!
As a rule of thumb, students should be sure to pack the following items:
- Personal documents
- Medical prescriptions to last for the entire program
- Electric adapter/plugs
- Laptop, entertainment devices, and/or games
- Appropriate clothes for the time of the year and country’s weather
It is important to bring any other necessary item that may be difficult to get while living outside the U.S.
This fall, merit-based awards of $500, as well as larger scholarships based on both merit and financial need, will become available. Need-based applications will require a short essay, academic transcript, and proof of household income (such as a 1040 tax form).
Also, with the Priority Deadline Discount, students who apply early to their program receive a $400 discount. Another way to make their program more affordable is through fundraising.
DOWNLOAD STUDENT FUNDRAISING TOOLKIT
More Information
Still Have Questions?
Check out our FAQ page for more information on the application, pre-departure process, costs, and more.
Further Assistance
For more help, call our team at 1-866-583-0332 or send us an email at hsabroad@ciee.org today.
Schedule a Call
If you want to schedule a call with a CIEE Enrollment Coordinator in your area, find a time on our bookings page.
Want More Study Abroad Options?
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