CIEE High School Semester Abroad
A Semester Abroad That Sets You Apart
A Semester Abroad That Sets You Apart
Whether you set off for a trimester, semester, or a full academic year, studying abroad as a high school student provides unforgettable experiences that help you stand out on college applications. CIEE offers two academic models—direct immersion abroad with a local high school placement or following U.S.-aligned courses with a small cohort of peers at a CIEE center. Whichever path you take, CIEE prepares you to make lifelong friends and gain perspectives that prepare you for success in college and beyond.
Differentiators
CIEE Immersion In Programs
Live the life of an ordinary teen in one of 6 amazing locations. Get placed in a local high school for a full immersion experience, spending a trimester, semester, or full academic year abroad.
CIEE Semester In Programs
Stay on track with your graduation requirements while living in one of 6 amazing global locations. Follow U.S.-aligned coursework with a cohort of other committed CIEE students for a semester or full academic year.
Study Abroad Scholarships
CIEE High School Semester Abroad programs allow you to get the leading edge on college admissions and have an international adventure. Coming this fall, merit and need-based scholarships will become available to make this program 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 Immersion In Programs
Spend a high school semester abroad living with a host family, enrolled in a local high school, experiencing deep immersion in a foreign language and local culture. During your semester abroad, you will make lifelong friendships and become part of the surrounding community as you improve your foreign language skills and develop a sense of independence and confidence that will help you stand out on college applications. Embrace the lifestyle of a typical high school student in one of six amazing destinations—France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, or Australia.
CIEE Semester In Programs
Spend a high school semester abroad on a program modeled after a college study abroad experience, living with a host family or in a dorm, and enrolling in a cohort of high school peers at one of CIEE’s international locations. You will complete 6-7 U.S.-aligned high school classes in English through a combination of in-person instruction from local experts and online offerings delivered by ASU Prep Global, one of the world’s leading accredited online high school programs.
Your CIEE High School Semester In program begins in London with the CIEE Global Gateway Academy, a 3-week orientation and leadership class, followed by a 12-week semester in the country of your choice. Over four months, you will study abroad in two international cities, improve your intercultural and foreign language skills, make lifelong friends, and develop a sense of independence and confidence that will help you stand out on college applications. Embrace a college-style study abroad experience while still in high school in one of six iconic countries—Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Costa Rica, or Japan.
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. By focusing on cultural immersion in various countries, our programs not only promote personal growth but also help you develop essential 21st-century skills like world languages and cultural awareness. 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.
High School Semester 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.
- 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.
Immersion Programs
- Sydney, Australia
Live and learn in the Southern Hemisphere while embracing Australia’s sunny climate and vibrant communities.
- Copenhagen, Denmark
Bike-friendly streets, music festivals, and college-town culture make Denmark a big draw for students from throughout the world.
Improve your language skills as you soak in the richness and diversity of French culture.
- Berlin, Germany
Study and live in Germany as you soak in the local culture and grow your language skills each day!
- Dublin, Ireland
Live with an Irish family, study at a local school, and revel in a unique cultural wonderland.
- Florence, Italy
Become fluent in Italian in the birthplace of the Renaissance.
Become fluent in Japanese as you live and study in the heart of this unique and lively Asian culture.
- Yucatan, 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.
- United Kingdom
Small Island. Big possibilities!
Questions About High School Semester Abroad
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 (with the exception of 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.
Yes, but it is important to plan ahead. It is up to you to talk with your high school guidance counselor before traveling abroad to ask about the classes you will miss and the steps to earn semester credits.
Most U.S. high schools are supportive and able to outline the process for how credit transfer works and what documentation you will need to request while abroad.
If credit transfer is your number one priority, our Semester In programs are the ideal choice. Students participating in CIEE 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.
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