If you’re a high school student thinking about how to use your summer in a way that actually adds something to your profile, summer abroad programs are worth a closer look!
Summer abroad programs place you in a new academic and social setting where you study a subject, interact with people from different backgrounds, and adjust to a different pace of life. You attend classes, work on projects, and take part in local activities in an unfamiliar place. That shift matters. You start paying attention to how things are taught, how people communicate, and how you respond when you are outside your comfort zone.
Why should you choose a summer abroad program?
Summer abroad programs help you build independence in a real setting. You manage your schedule, adapt to new expectations, and learn how to function without relying on familiar systems. They also give you clear experiences you can carry forward. You can point to what you studied, how you handled a new environment, and what you learned from it. This makes your college applications stronger because you have specific examples.
With that, here are 15 summer abroad programs for high school students. If you’re exploring related opportunities, you may also want to review our blog on summer research programs for high school students here!
15 Summer Abroad Programs for High School Students
1. CIEE Global Navigator — High School Summer Abroad
Location: 40+ countries across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa
Cost: Varies by destination; scholarships available (up to 100% of tuition via Global Navigator Scholarship; $7M awarded annually)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohorts of 10–12 students each
Dates: 3–8 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; apply early for scholarship consideration
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 (grade 12 for Merit Award only); open internationally; U.S. citizens/permanent residents for need-based scholarships
CIEE Global Navigator places you in one of 40+ countries where your days follow a clear structure built around a specific focus, whether that’s language learning, entrepreneurship, or something like conservation or arts. You attend daily sessions led by local instructors, often in small groups, while also spending time outside the classroom through excursions and guided activities. If you’re in a language track, you stay with a host family, which means you’re using the language in everyday situations, not just in lessons. Other tracks include more project-based work, where you explore topics through site visits and group tasks. The program runs through CIEE’s own study centers, so everything from classes to logistics is handled within a fixed system.
2. NSLI-Y — National Security Language Initiative for Youth
Location: Jordan, Morocco, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, and more (varies by language)
Cost: Fully funded (flights, accommodation, meals, tuition, cultural programming all covered by the scholarship)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive merit-based selection (estimated 15–20% acceptance rate); typical summer cohorts range from 15 to 30 students
Dates: Programs depart mid-to-late June; 6–8 weeks total
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in September–October; deadline in November
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, ages 15–18, currently enrolled in a U.S. high school; beginner to advanced-low ACTFL proficiency range; no prior language study required
NSLI-Y is a fully funded program where you spend several weeks studying a critical language in a country where it is actually spoken, while following a daily schedule built around structured instruction and cultural immersion. You attend language classes for several hours each day, working through reading, speaking, and listening with trained instructors, and then continue practicing outside class with a host family and local interactions. The program also includes cultural activities, peer language sessions, and regular assessments that track your progress. Before and after the program, your proficiency is measured through official ACTFL evaluations, which give you a formal record of how much you’ve improved.
3. The Experiment in International Living
Location: France, Italy, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and more
Cost: $4,000–$7,000 (varies by destination; airfare not included); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling admission; average group size is 14 students with two adult group leaders (range 10–16 students)
Dates: Varies by program; most run June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling; programs fill quickly
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18 (varies slightly by program); open internationally
The Experiment is one of the oldest summer abroad providers for high school students, now offering 17 programs in 15 countries. Programs run 3–5 weeks and are structured around a specific thematic lens, e.g., Language & Culinary Arts in Italy, International Relations & the EU in Germany, Manga & Anime in Japan, Peace & Conflict Resolution in South Korea, or Climate Action in Costa Rica. Each program combines homestay, community immersion, hands-on skill workshops (language classes, cooking, illustration, ecological fieldwork), and a culminating independent study project. Groups average 12–15 students led by expert instructors who are typically fluent in the local language and have lived in-country for 4+ years.
4. AFS-USA — Summer Study Abroad Programs
Location: 45+ countries, including Japan, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Iceland, and more
Cost: Varies by destination and duration (summer programs from $2,000+); $1M+ in annual scholarships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective application process; specific summer camps (e.g., Spain) host 60 students with classes of 15 participants.
Dates: 2 weeks to 2 months in summer; varies by country and program type
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18; open to most nationalities (varies by program)
AFS-USA gives you a short-term placement in another country where you live with a host family and follow a program built around cultural immersion and structured learning. You spend your time adjusting to daily routines in a new setting while also taking part in organised activities and orientation sessions. Some tracks include attending local schools or participating in community-based projects, depending on the duration and location. The program follows a defined learning framework that runs before, during, and after your stay, so your experience is shaped around specific goals rather than being open-ended. Support systems are built in, including local coordinators and 24/7 assistance, which keeps the experience managed even when you’re in a new environment.
5. School Year Abroad (SYA) — Summer Language Program
Location: Rennes, France / Spain
Cost: $9,750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling admission; each campus maintains a small population of 40–60 students
Dates: June 17 – July 21; 5 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; decisions released from late January onward
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders; 2 years of French or Spanish required; open to U.S. and international applicants
School Year Abroad’s Summer Language Program places you in France or Spain for a five-week program where your daily schedule is built around language learning and local engagement. You attend classes each morning in small groups that match your level, focusing on speaking and comprehension rather than memorisation. Afternoons are spent on structured excursions, where you visit nearby towns, historical sites, and cultural locations, using the language in context. You live with a host family, which means the language continues outside class through regular conversation and routines. In the final week, you travel with your group and faculty, extending what you’ve learned into a different setting.
6. Where There Be Dragons — Summer Abroad
Location: Nepal, Guatemala, Indonesia, Senegal, China, and more
Cost: $4,000–$7,500 depending on duration and destination; sliding scale financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Admission based on suitability and maturity; typical groups consist of 12 students and 3 instructors (4:1 ratio)
Dates: 2–6 week programs in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; programs fill quickly; $850 deposit required to hold spot
Eligibility: Ages 15–22; must have completed at least one year of high school or equivalent.
WTBD is structured as an immersive program where your time is divided across several components, including homestays, language study, trekking, and independent work. You move through different phases, starting with orientation and basic language learning, then shifting into field-based experiences like apprenticeships or community work. The program also includes physical elements like trekking, depending on the location, which changes how you experience the place. Along the way, you’re expected to reflect on what you’re doing and develop a small independent project based on your experience. Groups are kept very small, and instructors are usually long-term residents of the region, which shapes how the program is run.
7. Notre Dame Pre-College — Global Programs
Location: Rome, Italy; Dublin/Connemara, Ireland; London, UK; South Africa
Cost: Varies by destination and program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective process; each site is strictly capped at 18 students
Dates: June 6 – 10; 2 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Feb 18
Eligibility: High school students; check specific program pages for grade and age requirements
Notre Dame’s Study Abroad Pre-College programs take place in different international locations where you follow a short, faculty-led academic course built around a specific theme tied to that place. Your days include classroom sessions led by university faculty, combined with site visits that connect directly to what you’re studying. For example, you might explore architecture in Rome or social issues in South Africa while visiting relevant locations. The structure stays close to a university course, with discussions, readings, and assignments forming part of the experience. The program also includes reflection sessions where you connect what you’ve seen with the course material. Over two weeks, the focus stays on linking academic study with the location itself.
8. Youth for Understanding (YFU) — Summer Exchange Programs
Location: Japan, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, and 30+ other countries
Cost: Varies by program (Starting at $3,500); 170+ scholarships available annually
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Admission for tuition-based tracks is first-come, first-served
Dates: 3–4 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by destination
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18; eligibility varies by country and program
Youth for Understanding (YFU) Summer Exchange Programs places you with a host family in another country for a few weeks, where your daily routine is shaped around local life rather than a classroom schedule. You spend time engaging with your host family, participating in community activities, and attending organised group sessions that bring participants together. Some programs include visits to schools or structured cultural activities, depending on the location. The experience is built around interaction, so much of what you learn comes through conversations and shared activities.
9. Putney Student Travel — Summer Programs Abroad
Location: France, Spain, China, Ecuador, Japan, Ireland, Italy, and more
Cost: $4,000–$8,000+ depending on destination and duration; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small groups typically consist of 10–14 students
Dates: Varies by program; most run June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (and some middle school students); most programs require ages 14–18
Putney’s summer programs focus on language immersion, community service, and career exploration across 20+ countries. Every participant completes a creative independent study project of their own design; past projects have included sports marketing campaign design, gelato-making apprenticeships, and learning traditional instruments. Language programs are available in French, Spanish, Mandarin, and other languages, delivered through structured immersion with native-speaking tutors. The program is exclusively for middle and high school students, meaning group dynamics are age-appropriate and intentionally curated. Putney also runs a Writers’ Workshop in Dublin and arts programs in various European and Asian settings.
10. ISSOS International Summer Schools — UK (St Andrews & Cambridge)
Location: St Andrews, Scotland; Cambridge, UK; New Haven, CT (Yale)
Cost: Varies depending on campus and program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10% nationality cap; campus populations limited to 150 students
Dates: 3 weeks; multiple sessions in July and August
Application Deadline: Rolling; apply early for preferred campus and session
Eligibility: High school students ages 13–17; all nationalities; no prior academic prerequisites
ISSOS runs three-week programs at St Andrews (Scotland), Cambridge (UK), and Yale (Connecticut), with an international student cohort from 50+ countries. You can choose one Academic course and one Elective and attend both morning and afternoon sessions. Academic tracks include Debate, Creative Writing, English Language, Business & Entrepreneurship, Youth Leadership, and IB Extended Essay. Electives span fine arts, film, photography, sports, and more. Groups are capped at approximately 12 students per class. The St Andrews and Cambridge campuses place students directly inside working university environments, offering a lived experience of academic life at two of the UK and Scotland’s most well-known universities.
11. Global Works — Service-Learning & Language Programs Abroad
Location: Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Spain, France, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Fiji, and more
Cost: $4,000–$6,500, depending on destination; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small groups average a 60:40 female-to-male ratio; school groups require a minimum of 10 students
Dates: 2–4 weeks in summer; multiple sessions June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18; no prior language experience required for most programs
Global Works’ Service-Learning & Language programs abroad place you in a community where your days are split between service work, language classes, and structured reflection sessions. You spend part of your day contributing to a local project, which could involve environmental work, education, or infrastructure, depending on the location. Language learning is built into the schedule, so you’re also working on communication alongside service. The program includes group discussions where you reflect on what you’re doing and how it connects to the community. Activities and excursions are also part of the schedule, but they are tied to the program’s overall focus. The structure is built around combining work, learning, and reflection.
12. Go Abroad China (GAC) — High School Mandarin Immersion
Location: Beijing, Shanghai, and other major Chinese cities (at Tsinghua, Peking University, BLCU, and partner campuses)
Cost: Starting at $1,980 for a comprehensive package (varies by duration and format)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling admission; small groups of 10–15 students for group classes
Dates: Flexible start dates year-round; summer intensives available June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (and older); all nationalities; all proficiency levels, including complete beginners
GAC has been running Mandarin language programs at top Chinese universities, including Tsinghua, Peking University, and BLCU for 22+ years. High school programs range from 1 week to several months, with beginner to advanced levels available, and options for group or 1-on-1 tuition. You can choose from homestay, shared apartments with Chinese peers, or international dormitories on campus. The curriculum combines expert-led group classes, personalized tutoring, structured language exchange with native speakers, and cultural electives including guided city tours and networking events. Visa sponsorship, accommodation, and 24/7 on-site assistance are included in most packages.
13. Smithsonian Student Travel — Summer Abroad Programs
Location: Worldwide (Europe, Asia, Central America, and more)
Cost: Varies by destination and duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Land trips are small groups of 12–24; courses average 12–14 participants
Dates: Summer programs available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students completing grades 8–12; at least 13 years old; open internationally
Smithsonian Student Travel places you in different parts of the world where your schedule is built around site visits, field-based learning, and guided exploration tied to specific themes. You spend your time visiting historical, cultural, or scientific locations while working with local experts and instructors. The program includes observational activities and discussions that connect what you see to broader topics like history, environment, or culture. Rather than a classroom setup, most of the learning happens on-site. Group travel is a core part of the experience, so your routine changes as you move between locations.
14. LITA — A Unique Approach to Language Immersion in Spain
Location: Rural northern and southern Spain (small/medium towns away from tourist centres)
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small groups of 12–16 students with 3 group leaders
Dates: Five-week programs: June 15–July 21 (South), June 22–July 28 (North); Three-week programs: June 22–July 13 (South), June 29–July 20 (North)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders (students finishing grades 9–11); prior Spanish study required; open to American and Canadian students
LITA places you in a small town setting where English isn’t part of daily life, so your entire routine shifts into Spanish from the moment you arrive. You live with a host family matched to your interests, often alongside a host sibling close to your age, which means conversations happen naturally through meals, errands, and everyday interactions. Classes are built around themes like food, music, and local history, so you’re learning the language through context rather than isolated grammar. Outside class, you work on an independent research project tied to a cultural topic you choose, which develops over your stay. If you’re in the longer program, you also spend time interning with local professionals such as chefs, musicians, or artisans, where you observe and assist in real settings.
15. Rustic Pathways — Summer Travel Programs for High School Students
Location: 38+ countries, including Japan, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Fiji, Thailand, South Korea, Italy, Germany, and more
Cost: Varies, depending on destination and duration (2-week programs from $2,500; 6-week programs up to $7,000); $3.6M in scholarships and financial aid awarded since 2013
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small groups; 4:1 staff-to-student ratio
Dates: Programs run 8–30 days; summer sessions available across June–August; rolling start dates by destination
Application Deadline: Rolling; full refund available before March 31 for summer programs
Eligibility: Ages 12–22; most high school programs require ages 14–18; all nationalities; no prerequisites for most programs
Rustic Pathways runs programs across dozens of countries, where you choose a specific destination and focus before you apply, so your entire experience is shaped by that choice rather than a fixed structure. One program might place you in Thailand working on elephant conservation, while another takes you to the Galápagos for ecological fieldwork or to Seoul to explore culture through food and technology. Your days follow the rhythm of that track, usually combining hands-on work or service with guided visits and group-based activities that connect to the location. The schedule is structured but varies depending on what you’re doing, so some days are spent in the field while others involve travel or cultural engagement. All logistics, including accommodation, meals, and local transport, are handled within the program, and supervision is constant throughout.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: University of Notre Dame