Redefine “island life”—The United Kingdom is a group of countries surrounded by Atlantic waters in close proximity to western Europe. Its energy vibrates not only with diverse cultural life and a rich historic background, but also intellectual curiosity and zealous sports fandom. You won’t have a hard time feeling inspired to get out and experience every inch of adventure the region has to offer. Rock n’ roll. Wizarding wonderment. Biking. Beaches. Old stuff. Cute cafes. You name it, they got it.
Picture yourself on UK summer programs for high school students next year!
These cultural mainstays—not to mention ample servings of fish n’ chips—are just a few of the things that make UK summer programs for high school students one of the most popular choices for teen travelers. Even better, the country offers heaps of opportunities to excite all types of high school travelers, whether it’s your first time leaving the country or your first time traveling without your parents. All you need is a thirst for adventure, a passport, and your school books (duh!)!
Here are all the reasons to sign up for summer programs for high school students in the UK.
Why enroll in UK summer programs for high school students?
1. The culture is vastly different, but the language is roughly the same.
Sure—we all know the “flats” vs. “apartments” and the “rubbish” vs. “trash” talk, but generally speaking (... literally), the United States and the United Kingdom have a shared language heritage. This makes traveling—especially for first timers—a bit easier, which is refreshing when you’re juggling jet lag, new transportation systems, meeting strangers, and thriving independently in a foreign country.
But don’t let the language similarities fool you into thinking these areas’ respective cultures are likewise wholly similar. There is plenty in your new environment to look forward to, question, observe, and reflect on. We don’t want to give away too much, but just trust us when we say that UK summer programs for high school students will be an experiment in cultural exploration, too!
2. The academics are rigorous—and world renowned.
This isn’t your summer to laze around and up your Snapchat streaks. This is your school break to take full advantage of the impressive opportunity that beholds you—summer programs in Scotland and beyond! If you want to catch the eye of that college admissions counselor someday, you want to back it up with a productive experience studying in the United Kingdom. This doesn’t mean all work and no play, but it does mean those who take their studies seriously will reap huge academic benefits.
Pro tip: Pre-university summer school in the UK will only be a viable, powerful addition to your resume if you establish clear academic goals for studying abroad. Hop to it!
3. The food RULES.
Whoever said that British food is boring clearly has been snoozing these past couple of decades. Roast beef suppers and meat pies are just some of the tantalizing dishes that await your tastebuds abroad. Munch on fresh thick-cut fries paired with your seafood of choice (caught locally of course), and if you’ve never tried palak paneer or butter chicken, now’s your chance to indulge in these Indian delights.
Treats like scones, Jaffa cakes, and speculoos biscuits will keep your sweet tooth in check, and you’re never too old to sneak off to a visit at the Cadbury Chocolate Factory… #MoreChocolateEggsPlease.
Kick back, relax, and eat amazing, delicious food while on summer programs in Scotland and beyond
4. There are a variety of programs.
You don’t want a one-size-fits-all kind of summer, and lucky for you, students in the UK are spoiled for choice when it comes to study abroad program opportunities. Find the Cambridge summer program in high school of your dreams and make friends from all over the world. Consider a more experiential education program with regional travel included. Or attend Scotland’s oldest university, St. Andrews. Programs span the gamut—it's up to you, future traveler, to find the one that's right for you.
The world is your oyster, and this is your chance to meet a variety of intrepid, ambitious students—like you—from other parts of the world. An intercultural experience quite like this doesn’t come around often and you definitely don’t wanna miss out.
5. You don’t have to give up your entire summer.
We know we were hating on lazy summers a little bit earlier, but the fact of the matter is, sometimes it’s nice to have some down time between clubs, responsibilities, and cramming for exams. That’s why we love that most summer programs for high school students in the UK are short-term, leaving you ample time to Netflix binge, pet your cat, find a part time job, and hang out with friends back home.
You don’t have to sacrifice the entirety of your precious high school summer break. Programs like ISSOS, for instance, offer three-week summer programs in Scotland and England for teens—the perfect length to allow for both relaxation AND adventure next summer.
6. It’ll give you a taste of study abroad before you get to college.
Most incoming university freshmen cite study abroad as a goal for their academic careers while in college, yet only a small percentage follow through with coordinating a semester, summer, or academic year abroad. Why? Certainly a lot of reasons, not least of which is a general fear of being in a foreign country. Nip that uncertainty in the bud with these short term travel programs in the UK. Then, when it comes time to plan for a longer term program in college, you’ll have confidence in knowing that you have what it takes to survive abroad.
7. Your British accent will be on point.
Right-io, poppet!
Have the best summer of your life—make new friends, explore new places, get a taste of the world.
8. You’ll experience a surprising number of cultures all packed into that tiny island.
The US is diverse, but it’s also pretty huge. What’s it like to live in close (reeeeally close) proximity to people, and sometimes immigrants, from other cultures? What’s the atmosphere of Brexit like and is the international refugee crisis front and center in current British politics? We can’t wait for you to find out—and ask even MORE brilliant, pertinent questions about the state of the world we live in.
9. High school travel scholarships can help pay for it.
The pound doesn’t always work in favor of the US dollar, and we’re sure you—and your parents—are already a little nervous about footing the bill of summer programs for high school students in the UK. While it’s important to plan ahead, budget, and save money (maybe even crowdsource some funds online?), you should also start researching and applying for the dozens of high school travel scholarships on offer. While finding fully-funded scholarships isn’t always easy, there are ample awards available that can still help take the sting out of that unpaid invoice.
On a related note, parents will *love* any conversations around the fact that you’re doing your part to contribute financially to the experience.
10. You’ll have the time of your life!
There’s no better time to step out on your own and start exploring the world as an impressionable, hopeful teen. Your ability to soak up your surroundings, embrace curiosity, delight in similarities rather than focus on differences, and feel optimistic for your future is unquestionably valuable. You’re going to laugh harder than you thought possible, discover new things about yourself, strike out on your own—away from (nagging) parents and siblings—and get some killer street cred when it comes to college apps.
You probably won’t get a tan (the UK is cloudy, remember?) *but* you will get a memory card full of incredible snapshots from one of the happiest chapters of your life.
Finding—and choosing between—the best UK summer programs for high school students isn't as hard as it seems!
Next steps to find high school study abroad programs in the United Kingdom
Don't pack your GoPro and sneakers juuuust yet. There are a few items on your teen travel abroad to do list you should check off first.
- Decide where to go. Figuring out where to study abroad in the UK as a teen isn’t easy. Gorgeous Scotland? Somewhere with a beach? Bustling London? Summer schools for high school students? Don't let ANYTHING hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
- Pre-university summer school in the UK or something more experiential? You don't only have to take classes that pertain to your studies back home (though it never hurts to get more credits towards graduation). Decide if you want to use this time abroad to learn hard skills like History or to develop soft-er skills, like teamwork and communication, through something like a service project.
- Choose from the best high school study abroad programs. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and your ease of getting credits. Some schools or providers may even provide contact info for student ambassadors or past international students if you want the REAL dirt. Here’s our guide to choosing between teen travel abroad programs.
- Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge in travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how much your study abroad program will cost. Be sure to check out high school travel scholarships too!
- Talk to your guidance counselor. Getting all your ducks in a row is largely dependent on what your school requires, if anything. Talk to a study abroad advisor or the equivalent at your school to see if there are more choices available to you.
You’re ready to study abroad in the UK in high school!
Grab your besties & hop the pond next summer.
These reasons to sign up for summer programs for high school students in the UK are just scratching the surface. We know there’s so much more magic for you to uncover (and not just at Platform 9 ¾). Pack your bags, grab your bestie, and get ready to have your best summer yet.
Get Matched with 5 Summer Travel Programs in the UK For FREE
This article was contributed in part by ISSOS. ISSOS runs summer travel programs in Scotland at St. Andrews and in England at Cambridge for 13-18 year olds.
Look for the Perfect High School Program Abroad Now
Start Your Search