Key Insights for Parents from the 2025 High School Semester Abroad Virtual Fair
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CIEE’s 2025 High School Summer Abroad Virtual Fair was a success, bringing together families from across the country to learn more about international education opportunities for high school students.
Parents explored the questions that matter most when considering study abroad—how scholarships work, what homestays are like, how students are supported abroad, and what everyday life looks like in another country. Whether families joined with a specific program in mind or were just beginning to explore options, many left with clearer information and greater confidence in what a summer abroad can offer.
Below, we’re sharing key highlights from the event, including attendance milestones and the sessions families found most valuable as they began planning for a high school semester abroad.
Missed the Fair—or a session you wanted to revisit? All sessions are available to watch on our YouTube channel.
Highlights from This Year’s High School Semester Abroad Virtual Fair
The 2025 CIEE High School Semester Abroad Virtual Fair reached a record 1,274 attendees! While students made up the largest group, parents and legal guardians accounted for 37 percent of attendees, underscoring the central role families play in planning these experiences. All sessions averaged more than 50 attendees, and the most-attended ones were Scholarships and Japanese High School Summer Abroad Programs.
Most Popular High School Semester Abroad Sessions and Programs
Parents joined these three sessions to gain clear, practical insights into study abroad for high school students: How to Write a Great Scholarship Essay, What It’s Like to Study Abroad in High School (alumni panel), and The Ambassador Program.
It’s worth noting: only about 2 percent of U.S. high school students study abroad—and even fewer do it long-term! A semester abroad is a powerful way for students to grow independence and global awareness while also building a story that stands out on college and scholarship applications.
How to Write a Great Scholarship Essay
Did you know that CIEE offers $7 million in scholarships every year to high school students? The Virtual Fair Scholarship session walked families through what CIEE scholarship reviewers are actually looking for—and how students can approach the essay process with confidence.
Top tips parents should know:
- Start early to reduce stress. Beginning essays at least a month in advance allows time to draft, revise, and get feedback without last-minute pressure.
- Focus on storytelling, not “perfect” writing. Reviewers want to understand who your student is, why they want to study abroad, and how the experience fits into their future—not polished jargon or overly formal language.
- Encourage specificity and reflection. Essays that include concrete experiences, challenges, and personal motivations stand out more than generic responses.
- Outside feedback helps. Having teachers, mentors, or trusted adults review essays can improve clarity while keeping the student’s voice intact.
- Scholarships are accessible. With both merit- and need-based options available, families learned that a high school semester abroad can be financially achievable with planning.
Watch the Scholarship Essay session here →
What It’s Like to Study in a High School Abroad (Alumni Panel)
This alumni-hosted session featured former CIEE High School Semester Abroad students sharing what the experience is really like—from their motivations for seeking international high school programs to the realities of life abroad.
Early in the session, alumni reflected on why they chose to study abroad for a semester. Their reasons were different, but together they painted a clear picture of the goals students bring to a long-term international experience:
- “I really wanted to improve my French skills.”
- “I wanted to experience more independence and challenge myself to go outside of my comfort zone.”
- “I felt like my American high school was limiting at the time, and I really wanted to experience something different.”
The conversation then shifted to practical, parent-focused questions about what a semester abroad looks like in real life.
During this session, families learned:
- What a typical school day looks like at a local high school abroad
- How students adjust during the first few weeks and gain confidence over time
- The role of host families in supporting daily routines and cultural immersion
- How academics, grading, and credits are managed while abroad
- Why long-term immersion can be especially impactful for language learning and personal growth
Watch the “What It’s Like to Study in a High School Abroad” session here →
Ambassador Abroad Roundtable: Turning Study Abroad Into Leadership Opportunities
This roundtable introduced families to CIEE’s Ambassador Abroad program, an opportunity for students to extend their teen semester abroad experiences by becoming advocates for global learning in their communities. For students currently studying abroad, the Ambassador Abroad allows them to write blogs and social media content and engage with prospective students—while earning cash rewards or prizes along the way!
The student ambassadors featured in this session shared how their semester abroad experience shaped their confidence, independence, and sense of responsibility.
Watch the Ambassador Abroad Roundtable session here →
Couldn’t Attend a Session — or Want to Learn More?
If you weren’t able to attend the Virtual Fair live or want to revisit a session that caught your attention, all 2025 Virtual Fair recordings are available to watch on CIEE’s YouTube playlist.
The sessions offer a deeper look at topics parents often want to understand better—from program structure and housing options to scholarships and on-the-ground support. If something you read here raised new questions or sparked interest in a specific destination, you can continue explore all High School Semester Abroad Programs or connect directly with the CIEE team for guidance.