Drawing & Scottish Culture
A Summer for Fun, Friends, and Your Future
Explore
Have fun discovering Edinburgh through the eyes of an artist.
Network
Meet new friends and art experts. Build your own community.
Get Inspired
Launch your future today! Draw using traditional and modern techniques, find your style, and create a portfolio.
The Destination
Welcome to Edinburgh, Scotland’s creative capital.
Edinburgh just celebrated its 900th birthday as a city, and it’s been inspiring artists for even longer. Home to the renowned Edinburgh College of Art and world-class museums like the National Galleries of Scotland, where works by Leonardo da Vinci, Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and more are part of its collections, the city is a dream destination for aspiring artists. Scotland’s culture celebrates storytelling, craftsmanship, and artistic expression, creating an atmosphere where creativity thrives.
You’ll find inspiration around every corner, from the medieval closes (a narrow, gated alleyway that feels like a secret passage) and towering spires of the old city to the elegant avenues of New Town. Walk the 500-year-old Royal Mile beneath the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, explore the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, discover hidden gardens and ancient cemeteries, or climb a steep staircase for sweeping sea views. And when it’s time to refuel, cozy cafés serve buttery shortbread and rich hot chocolate, and you can pop into independent shops for local artists’ wares.
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. No matter where you choose to study abroad with CIEE, our staff will be on hand throughout your program to provide advice, resources, and support.
Social feed above may feature posts from all CIEE Study Abroad programs, including college programs.
Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
Experiential Learning in the Scottish Highlands
Trade the studio for two unforgettable nights at Benmore Outdoor Centre, a 19th-century manor house nestled among giant redwoods and lush botanical gardens in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. With its grand stone architecture and turreted rooflines, many compare Benmore to Hogwarts, and it’s easy to see why. Under the guidance of experienced outdoor instructors, spend your days gorge walking through rushing streams, scaling rock faces, kayaking across shimmering lochs, and exploring hidden caves alongside fellow Global Navigators.
Between adventures, soak in the dramatic scenery of misty mountains, ancient forests, and sparkling lakes that have inspired Scottish artists and storytellers for centuries. Through observation and reflection, you’ll consider how challenge, environment, and collaboration can shape your perspective as an artist and connect these immersive experiences to the creative practices you’re developing throughout the program.
Seaside Experience and Cultural Discovery in North Berwick
Get ready for one of Scotland’s most picturesque seaside towns! Just outside Edinburgh, North Berwick is famous for its stunning scenery and peaceful atmosphere. Race your friends to the top of Berwick Law, an ancient volcanic hill crowned by a giant whale jawbone. Then snap selfies and draw sketches of sweeping 360-degree sea views. If it’s a clear day, you might even see Edinburgh in the distance, only 20 miles away. Keep your eyes on the horizon to spot puffins, gannets, or sailboats gliding past tiny islands just offshore.
Back in town, browse local shops, grab an ice cream cone by the shore, and soak up the salty sea air as you explore a place with a surprisingly dramatic past. North Berwick is famous for its medieval clifftop castles and the notorious 16th-century witch trials. It’s no wonder this magical stretch of coastline also inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write Treasure Island!
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Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More Questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations, or contact us!
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2027 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,900 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2027 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,900 |
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Our Staff
Jacqui Bassett
Center Director
Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.
Get Started
1
2
Connect with your Teachers or Parents
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about enrolling.
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