CIEE 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, 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
- Sydney, Australia
Live like an Australian teen, studying in a local high school while exploring life Down Under.
- Toulouse, France
Study at a local high school, immersing yourself in the language, culture, and diversity of France.
- Florence, Italy
Enroll in a local high school and improve your Italian fluency while exploring the birthplace of the Renaissance.
Study in a local high school and improve your language fluency while exploring the natural beauty of the Land of the Rising Sun.
- Merida, Mexico
Step into the life of a local student, living and learning in the heart of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
Enroll in a local high school and experience life like a Spanish teen while improving your fluency.
Step into the daily life of a British teen, living and learning in the historic and exciting United Kingdom.
CIEE High School Study Abroad Semester In Programs
CIEE High School Study Abroad Semester In
- Barcelona, Spain
Explore the vibrant capital of Catalonia, studying with a cohort of American students as you immerse yourself in Spanish life.
- Monteverde, Costa Rica
Live and learn in beautiful Monteverde, continuing your high school studies alongside other American students.
- Dublin, Ireland
Spend a semester abroad in Dublin, continuing high school in Ireland’s lively city of stories, stone towers, and rain-soaked charm.
- Kyoto, Japan
Study with a small group of American students in Kyoto, spending a semester abroad living and learning in the heart of historic Japan.
- Merida, Mexico
Explore the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, studying with American classmates while continuing your high school journey.
- Paris, France
Continue your U.S. high school journey in the City of Lights—studying with American classmates while exploring life abroad.
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. 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.
Merit-based awards of $500, as well as larger scholarships based on both merit and financial need, are available to apply for within your CIEE application. 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?
CIEE High School Study Abroad Blog
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