You already have study abroad as a must-do on your list of college achievements. But studying abroad in high school? It’s totally possible, and a great way to earn major cool points with your friends back home while developing the cross-cultural understanding and language know-how you’ll use in college and beyond.
Whether you want to learn German or do college prep, Germany is perfect for high school abroad!
Germany consistently ranks among the world’s top destinations for international students seeking a university degree, so it’s no wonder this country draws in international high schoolers, too. Opportunities to study abroad in Germany for high school students abound, offering the chance to explore a rich cultural and historical heritage while enjoying the affordable cost of living and welcoming environment that makes Germany so popular with international students.
Here’s the best part: When you sign up for a high school study abroad program in Germany, there’s no need to wait for future days chatting about your Leidenschaften with your newfound friends after class.
Is Germany a good study abroad destination for high schoolers?
Deciding to study abroad in high school offers a wealth of benefits. Choosing Germany as your study abroad destination amplifies those benefits even more.
That’s because Germany’s intellectual tradition makes it easy to study just about any subject you want to explore. Whether you’re into classic literature or art, philosophy or politics, or any number of stimulating topics, you’ll find like-minded students and teachers there. Oh, and if you want to work on your German language proficiency, immersing yourself in the language and culture is a must.
Explore fairytale-like architecture only found in Germany.
At the same time, the diverse landscape means there’s something for everyone in Germany. Dynamic cities, historic university towns, idyllic nature, and no shortage of straight-out-of-a-fairytale castles create the perfect backdrop for any learning style. Plus, with the country’s great public transportation networks, you can easily visit other regions to get the full picture of German life during your stay.
It’s time to trade lazy summer days at your hometown beach or pool for some hands-on learning in a country known for welcoming international students. No matter if you want to fill a few weeks over the summer or dive right into a semester or year abroad, studying abroad in high school is well within reach. Here are the best ways to study abroad in Germany in high school:
4 high school study abroad programs in Germany
Expand your network and make new friends before you get to college!
1. CIEE High School Semester/Year Abroad in Germany
Study abroad in Germany for high school students isn’t limited to only summers. Take your learning to the next level with a full semester or even academic year living and learning in Berlin while you stay with a host family.
You’ll watch as your German language skills skyrocket thanks to the classes and the everyday conversations you get to have with locals. Germany’s fascinating history and culture serves as a backdrop as you bond over group meals, go on day trips to cities like Leipzig or Erfurt, and gain independence you’ll draw on for years to come.
- Where: Berlin
- When: Semester, Academic Year
- Focus: Student exchange and homestay
- Read CIEE reviews
2. AFS Intercultural Programs: High School Abroad in Germany
You really can’t go wrong with a semester or full year in a German high school if your goal is to boost your language abilities and immerse yourself in the culture. By the time your term abroad is over, you’ll have German fluency and intercultural communication skills as key highlights for your college apps.
High school in Germany for international students means attending a Gymnasium, Realschule, Gesamtschule, or Stadtteilschulenschool alongside other enthusiastic students, experiencing life as a German teenager while you delve into conversations about politics, the environment, or philosophy. Living with a host family deepens the experience. You’ll gain insight into daily life you can’t get from textbooks, not to mention a real home away from home.
- Where: Locations throughout Germany
- When: Semester, Academic Year
- Focus: Student exchange and homestay
- Read AFS-USA reviews
3. Nacel International: High School Exchange in Germany
If you’ve already started studying German, you’ll watch your language skills soar when you study abroad in Germany in high school through a Nacel International exchange. Your warm and welcoming host family will be eager to share the language and culture with you, so get ready for dinners, outdoor activities, and day trips.
Attending high school like the locals makes for a unique educational experience. The fully immersive language program will take your German proficiency to new heights, preparing you to ace your tests back home and stay in touch with the friends you’ve made in Germany.
- Where: Locations throughout Germany
- When: Short-term, Semester, Academic Year
- Focus: Student exchange and homestay
- Read Nacel International reviews
4. Youth For Understanding: Study Abroad in Germany
Live like a German teenager for a trimester, semester, or full academic year when you participate in a YFU exchange program. You’ll be placed in a Gymnasium or Gesamtschule, high schools where you’ll take classes alongside local students. Not only will you make friends with the locals, but you’ll also develop your own German language proficiency—no previous language study necessary.
You’ll also reap the benefits of living with a host family, a surefire way to learn the intricacies of the language and traditions (bonus points: trying all that new food). Homestay placements in small towns, medium-sized cities, or the countryside give you amazing insight into an authentic German way of life.
- Where: Locations throughout Germany
- When: Trimester, Semester, Academic Year
- Focus: Student exchange and homestay
- Read Youth For Understanding reviews
Compare programs side-by-side (for free!) with MyGoAbroad
4 summer programs in Germany for high school students
Summer is a great time for exploring Germany beyond the classroom.
1. The Experiment in International Living: Germany: International Relations & The E.U.
Your summer break just got a whole lot more interesting thanks to your plans to study abroad in high school. There’s no better way to learn about international politics and the European Union than to see it all firsthand. This program takes you through Germany (and bordering E.U. countries) to explore cities and rural areas, experience a local high school, and improve your German language skills and knowledge of international relations.
From a homestay in Bavaria to language classes in Cologne, this program packs plenty of learning into a fun-filled summer month. Workshops in Berlin, trips to E.U. hubs Strasbourg and Brussels across Germany’s borders, and more add to the experience. You’ll make friends with other high school students who share your interests and get to see a range of fascinating places while you learn.
- Where: Multiple cities in Germany (plus Belgium and France)
- When: Summer
- Focus: International Relations
- Read The Experiment in International Living reviews
2. CIEE High School Summer: Berlin, Germany
Get ready for an immersive experience in one of Europe’s coolest cities when you sign up for a CIEE High School Summer program in Berlin. Whether you’re interested in improving your German language proficiency or want to take classes in English while building practical business skills, your decision to study abroad in Germany in high school will give you a head start in tackling future studies and goals.
The German Language and Culture program leads to some amazing language growth—students learn on average the equivalent of a U.S. high school year of language study in just a few weeks. And if you’re interested in startups, living in the startup capital of Europe during the Global Entrepreneurship program certainly jump-starts your education and puts you on the path to success.
- Where: Berlin
- When: Summer
- Focus: German Language and Culture or Entrepreneurship
- Read CIEE reviews
3. Language Vacation: German Summer Immersion for Teenagers
If you’re looking for language immersion in a program specifically designed for teens, you’ll find exactly that through Language Vacation. Better yet, you get to choose your ideal German city for a summer of learning.
Study in the bustling capital Berlin, or get a preview of college life in the university city of Münster. Go to Munich and take classes in a medieval Bavarian castle, or learn at the edge of the Black Forest in picturesque Freiburg. Language and adventure await this summer.
- Where: Berlin, Munich, Munster, or Freiburg
- When: Summer
- Focus: German Language
- Learn more about Language Vacation
4. Abbey Road Programs: Modern Europe Travel Program – London, Paris, Berlin & Prague
Not ready to settle in just one city—or country? With Abbey Road Programs’ Modern Europe Travel program, you don’t have to choose. A three-week educational journey takes you to some of Europe’s most exciting destinations, all alongside your newfound high school friends.
You’ll immerse yourself in history at sites like the Berlin Wall Memorial, indulge in some amazing museums like the Old Masters Gallery in Dresden, and sample authentic food in local restaurants along the way. This program takes you beyond your typical summer programs in Germany for high school students by including cities in nearby France, U.K., and Czech Republic for the ultimate high school summer.
- Where: Berlin and Dresden (plus Paris, London, and Prague)
- When: Summer
- Focus: Experiential Learning
- Read Abbey Road Programs reviews
Get matched with 5 high school programs in Germany—for FREE!
Do pre-college prep with high school in Germany for international students!
Your next adventure awaits!
High schoolers, rejoice. You’re taking an amazing step to preparing for college and achieving your personal goals when you study abroad in Germany. Get your family on board, apply for some high school-focused scholarships (yep, they exist!), and jet off to take your learning beyond the classroom in Deutschland.
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