High School Study Abroad Programs
Ready to Be a CIEE Global Navigator?
Our Global Navigator high school study abroad programs take you around the world to gain independence, flexibility, a broader worldview, and new friends, too. Go abroad during high school or after graduation for as little as 3 weeks to a full semester or academic year. Explore our full range of student travel programs below.
High School Summer Abroad
3-8 Weeks
Experience a summer of language immersion, art courses, STEM courses, service-learning abroad, and other topics in one of 35+ destinations.
High School Semester Abroad
3 Months - 2 Semesters
Live the life of a local teen and attend high school for a semester or an academic year in Spain, Japan, France, Germany and more!
Gap Year Abroad
1-2 Semesters
For recent high school grads who want to travel, explore, and experience a new culture before attending college.
First Year Abroad
1-2 Semesters
For recent high school grads who want to complete their first year of college abroad while pursuing their passions as a global citizen and staying on track to graduate in four years.
Can You Study Abroad in High School?
Yes, studying abroad in high school is possible and that's what CIEE Global Navigator programs are all about!
Our full range of study abroad programs give high schoolers the opportunity to spend anywhere between 3 weeks and a full academic year abroad. Our scholarships make summer abroad accessible to more students as we give away close to $7 million in scholarship funds to U.S. high school students each year. Students who may otherwise not have had a chance to travel as teenagers get to make lifelong friendships with students from across the U.S. and the world, helping them see themselves and other cultures in a new light.
Studying abroad in high school is not only transformative; it helps students stand out in college applications and job interviews. Unlike other countries where studying abroad is common during high school, only about 2% of U.S. students get that opportunity every year!
Questions About High School Study Abroad
Studying abroad while still in high school offers many benefits for teens, such as:
- World language proficiency
- Credentials for college applications and job interviews
- Life skills, like independence, intercultural awareness, and a global perspective, that can’t be learned in the classroom
- New friendships to last a lifetime
After participating in CIEE high school study abroad programs, Global Navigator alumni are on the path to becoming global citizens with the cultural competencies that prepare them for the future.
High school study abroad is all about experiential learning.
Discussions, group work, hands-on workshops, excursions and time for reflection are types of experiential learning offered on Global Navigator programs.
Students who learn through direct action, experience, and reflection can gain greater knowledge of a topic, develop more skills, and make better connections with the subject-matter in and out of class.
While everyone is different and there is no specific age when it is best to study abroad, high school is a special time of life when studying abroad can make a real difference. It helps students grow into more independent adults and shapes college and career choices!
CIEE high school study abroad programs are designed for high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Most students on CIEE Global Navigator programs are in their junior and senior year.
Parents and teachers are sometimes concerned about their freshmen high school students studying abroad. However, approximately 20% of our students are rising sophomores. A study abroad experience with three full years of high school remaining provides the foundation for greater growth in language and independence over time.
Our High School Summer Abroad Language & Culture programs offer students the option to earn 4 college credits in high school to put toward a future college degree.
Since 1947, CIEE has been opening doors for U.S. students to study abroad.
We’re the longest-running, non-profit study abroad organization and operate our own study centers around the world. Every year, we support more than 3,500 U.S. high school students traveling abroad. We also administer the largest study abroad scholarship fund for high school students in the U.S. and award $6 million every year, making our programs accessible to everyone!
High School Blogs
Free Things to Do in Rome for High School Students on a Budget
Rome is a city made for explorers. Whether it be a park, a piazza, or a neighborhood street, there is always something new to discover. Let's take a look at... keep reading
A Summer of Science, Service, and Self-Discovery in Lisbon
The following blog was written by Matt Redman , Vice President of High School Programs at CIEE, who has been with the organization since 2009. This summer, I had the... keep reading
How My High School Semester Abroad Has Helped Me Become Multilingual
This post was written by CIEE Global Navigator alum Fiona K. from Massachusetts who participated in the Global Navigator Marketing Internship in spring of 2025. "Stand up if you are... keep reading
Your Donation Holds the Keys to Global Change
High school students are open-minded and ready to learn about themselves and the world. With your help, a small seed of change, planted at this point in their development, can influence the trajectory of their lives in a positive, lasting way.