Educational Benefits of Teen Summer Travel

Picture your students spending their summer in an immersive, educational teen travel program, mastering conversational language skills, connecting with diverse peers from across the U.S., and tackling real-world problems through hands-on projects. With CIEE’s Global Navigator High School Summer Abroad programs, your students will experience unparalleled cultural immersion and academic enrichment.   

Our educational travel programs help students discover more about themselves in a safe and supportive environment. Whether they are improving their language skills, exploring new interests, earning college credits, or building a portfolio for future colleges, these programs offer valuable learning experiences. 

Why Should Your Students Travel Abroad?  

Educational travel builds skills that support students’ confidence, communication, independence, and future academic or career goals. The experiences and skills students gain on summer travel programs can boost their college applications, making them a meaningful investment in their future.  

Traveling abroad gives your students the chance to learn beyond the classroom while building skills that last long after summer ends. 

Each CIEE High School Summer Abroad program:  

1. Brings learning to life. Our place-based learning approach turns classroom lessons into real-world memories. Students spend each morning learning through role-play, guided discussions, and weekly projects, then explore their new city on culturally immersive excursions.  
2. Strengthens communication skills. Our programs provide cultural immersion through daily structured community engagement activities. Students learn to express themselves across cultures, whether by practicing a new language or adapting to new social norms. 
3. Builds adaptability, resilience, and independence. Our programs equip students with the skills needed to thrive in new and diverse environments. Whether adjusting to different schedules and customs or navigating a new city, students grow their ability to approach challenges with confidence.  
4. Fosters empathy. Our programs connect participants with local teens, helping them see how people their age experience the world. Students learn to recognize and respect differences and engage thoughtfully in new environments.  

Why Your Students Should Travel with CIEE 

Our educational travel programs offer more than just fun—they provide a stepping stone to future success.  

Just 2% of U.S. high school students participate in study abroad programs each year. CIEE’s summer travel programs offer more than a once-in-a-lifetime experience; they also give students a unique opportunity to stand out when applying to college, internships, jobs, and more.   

Our Academic Approach 

At CIEE, we oversee every aspect of our programs, from our academic curriculum to the day-to-day details of the participant experience. Unlike other teen summer travel programs, our proprietary, localized curricula align with U.S.-based high school learning standards and focus on student outcomes. 

Each CIEE Global Navigator program is intentionally designed to maximize learning and fun inside and outside of the classroom. On program, students become explorers fully immersed in a culture and topic. It’s not just high school in a new, exotic location; it’s an exciting, experiential journey filled with opportunities to engage with the world around them and apply classroom concepts in real life. 

Our Academic Outcomes 

Participants in our educational travel programs develop deeper proficiency in a foreign language or topic of interest through interactive, hands-on classes. Students return with valuable credentials such as certificates, the Seal of Biliteracy, or even college credits.  

Our data show that participants experience extraordinary personal growth in just a few weeks. After summer 2026, CIEE High School Summer Abroad students reported progress in areas like:  

• 91% of alumni say CIEE programs helped them connect with different perspectives 
• 90% of alumni report improved interpersonal communication skills 
• 75% of alumni say our programs prepared them to become more effective team leaders  

CIEE also collaborates with the Global Seal of Biliteracy to award the Global Seal to students who demonstrate exceptional language skills. In 2025, 924 students—40% of our Language & Culture participants—earned the Global Seal based on their results from the Avant STAMP 4S proficiency test.  Plus, 65% of participants (1,482 students) opted for and earned college credit through Tulane University, CIEE’s School of Record. 

Partner With CIEE for Life-Changing Learning Abroad 

Our High School Summer Abroad programs help students build practical skills they’ll use long after their program ends. We partner with high schools across the U.S. to help make global education and international exchange opportunities accessible to as many students as possible.  

Learn more about CIEE’s High School Summer Abroad programs and discover how you can help your students learn, grow, and make meaningful connections across cultures.