High School Study Abroad in Sydney, Australia

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18 High School Trips to Sydney, Australia
CIEE High School Abroad
5
1
Step into the shoes of a conservationist in one of the most scenic and biodiverse destinations on Earth. Observe unique Australian wildlife in the marine, coastal, and bushland ecosystems in and around Sydney alongside a local guide and environmentalist. In this beautiful waterfront city, experien
See All 4 ProgramsTravel For Teens
4.85
13
Fly across the International Dateline and arrive in the Land Down Under! Our journey to Australia and New Zealand is a TFT favorite, combining adventure with cultural exploration and major travel destinations with little-known gems. In New Zealand, we will experience the country’s famed natural be
See All 4 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
4.71
34
Immerse yourself in the unique wildlife of Australia by volunteering at the country's only Heritage Listed wildlife sanctuary. Nestled in natural bushland brimming with native animals, this sanctuary provides a lifelong home for rescued creatures, breeds endangered species to restore wild population
MEI Academy World High School
5
3
This program is for anyone interested in learning how the world works and exploring the global issues impacting our lives. In the spring semester, students will learn the workings of communist and capitalist economies and gain insight through on-site assignments and case studies. As the program pro
Putney Student Travel
0
0
Journey through the South Pacific on an immersive adventure that spans Fiji’s coral-rich waters, New Zealand’s alpine landscapes, and Australia’s rugged Outback and iconic reefs. Begin in a coastal Fijian village, where you experience island traditions, explore waterfalls, and snorkel alongside loca
Westcoast Connection
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Beautiful landscapes, immersive cultural experiences, and unforgettable adventures—you’ll experience it all on this teen adventure travel program in the South Pacific! Journey through New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji, experiencing new and unique activities like zorbing, waterfall rafting, scuba divi
GoBeyond Student Travel
4.5
4
Discover Australia, one of the most environmentally and socially diverse places on earth. Beginning with a thrilling surf session in Sydney, you’ll be riding a wave of excitement until the very last minute. Whether you’re living aboard a yacht sailing the magnificent Whitsunday Islands, visiting the
Loop Abroad
4.8
10
Join this two-week adventure “down under” and volunteer at the Walkabout Wildlife Park in Calga Springs outside Sydney, Australia. Get hands-on with koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, wallabies, and all kinds of other Australian wildlife. Enjoy a fun tourist trip in Sydney; explore aboriginal sites in th
Immerse Education
0
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In Sydney, the creative sector is a key driver of innovation and identity. Our Creative Industries summer programme invites students aged 15-18 to explore the intersection of media, design, storytelling, and visual communication. From branding and advertising to content creation and digital storytel
See All 4 ProgramsA Guide to High School Programs Abroad in Sydney
High School Programs in Sydney
Australia is an exceedingly popular adventure travel destination, and many high school programs are built around exploring as much of Sydney and the surrounding countryside as possible. Scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, expeditions to the Outback, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, these are all common activities on the agenda for adventure travel and cultural exploration high school programs in Sydney. It’s not all fun and games though, you will learn a whole lot about the culture and history during your time on the world’s smallest continent too!
Also popular among high school students are study abroad and student exchange programs in Sydney. For a summer, semester, or full academic year high school students can study at a boarding school in Sydney or attend a local high school and live with a homestay family. Available subjects span a wide array of different disciplines, so students of all interests can undoubtedly find something exciting to study while soaking in the sights and sounds of Sydney.
High school programs in Sydney, and anywhere in the world, tend to take supervision seriously, so parents and students need not worry about student safety too much. Students, this is your chance to get out and explore the world, but also remember to be smart and listen to the local staff who are there to help you!
Life in Sydney
With a population of nearly 5 million, Sydney is Australia’s largest city, as well as the leading economic and cultural hub of Oceania. It is rated as an Alpha+ global city, a distinguishment granted to only seven other cities in the world. So stated simply, Sydney is a big deal.
During your high school program in Sydney, you will have access to all that this tremendously diverse and stimulating city has to offer. Some of the most popular attractions include the Royal Botanical Gardens, Bondi Beach, Royal National Park, and the iconic Sydney Opera House. Dig deeper still and you will discover a wealth of hidden treasures beyond these famous sites. Cafes, restaurants, parks, museums, theaters, concert venues, Sydney has them all in spades.
But what makes Sydney truly great is the thriving local culture and laid back attitude. Australians are tremendously friendly and outgoing people. Even though Sydney is such a prominent hub on the global stage, a “Hakuna Matata” attitude still seeps through many aspects of city life. It will be hard to find anything worth complaining about when the weather is great, the scenery beautiful, and you are thousands of miles away from home living the dream.
Scholarships & Costs
Here’s the kicker, Sydney is one of the most expensive cities in the whole world. But, nothing in this world is free, right? While many everyday costs, such as housing, food, and transportation, will be covered in upfront program fees, you will still want to plan a budget ahead of time and stick to it while abroad. To help with the costs of the trip, make sure to check out all the fundraising and scholarship opportunities that are available for those applying for high school programs in Sydney.
Accommodation & Visas
Homestays are the most popular housing option provided by high school programs in Sydney, while dormitories are also often made available. Each have their pros and cons (think cultural immersion vs. living among peers), so be sure to discuss the options with your parents and program provider before making your decision. Adventure travel programs that move between different locations will generally have a set agenda with group accommodations already organized.
Australia’s visa policy varies from country to country. Students coming from Europe will typically have to obtain an eVisitor visa, while students coming from the United States and several other countries require a different ETA visa. The system can be a bit complex and also depends on how long you are staying in the country for, so contact your nearest Australian consulate via GoAbroad’s Embassy Directory for more info.
Benefits & Challenges
Live it Up Down Under. Among other things, Sydney is one of the most fun cities you will ever visit. With all the beautiful outdoor adventure opportunities, you will have the time of your life while learning a lot about local history and customs.
Push Yourself. High school programs abroad are one of the greatest adventures you can take, and so naturally programs come with a fair share of obstacles to overcome. Culture shock and homesickness can be real, so treat your time in Sydney as an opportunity to learn and grow!
New Experiences. The best philosophy to take on during a high school program in Sydney is to maximize experience. Take advantage of every opportunity, engage with as many people as you can, and don’t be shy to try new things. By the end of your program, you’ll return home a veteran traveler!
Latest Program Reviews
It will impact them in the best way possible
January 30, 2026by: Mariah DesRocheProgram: Spring Semester in Asia
I love MEI. I could go on for hours about how truly amazing my time with them has been. I will always be a fan of theirs and will always recommend who I can to go on one of their adventures. I was lucky enough to go on two separate summer trips. I did adventure down under in 2016 And international Business in 2017 or 2018. I have always struggled with some aspects of school and was nervous about attempting university-level courses while being abroad as I did not usually take university-level classes but I found it easy not because it was easy but because of how it was taught. I’ve never liked English as I’m a creative person and I’ve never seen English as anything but essay writing. On my first trip on Mei, I loved English. for the first time in my life, I understood so much of a subject I never felt I knew before. The teaching approach was amazing and engaging. I wish all schools taught how they did. Besides great teaching, the programs are set up amazingly where you truly get to experience being on your own (in groups of three) and build your independence abroad. I feel if I went back to the places I’ve travelled that I would be confident in knowing my way around because of the independence I gained with Mei. The teachers down to the people in the office are amazing. A helpful group of friendly people. I had a few teachers between both trips who were so great but one teacher who stuck with me through it all was Simon. Simon is awesome and is someone I grew a connection too. He can be your teacher and friend all at once. He is someone I will always remember. Also if you do require any extra help or accommodations they are very helpful! I have ADHD and a learning disability and I always felt I had help when I needed it. If you are thinking of sending your child away on Mei do it!! It will impact them in the best way possible & give them so many memories and Friendships. I still talk to a good handful of people from my trips to this day who I make sure I see at least once a year. If I could of paused time and stayed in high school just so I could go on more adventures with MEI I would
Life changing for him
January 16, 2026by: Charlie Howell ParentProgram: Spring Semester in Asia
This experience was incredible for our son. It really was life changing for him and I highly recommend this experience for anyone with a high school aged child. MEI is an incredible school and we appreciate everything they have done for our family immensely.
Student safety and wellbeing never wavered from the primary objective
January 14, 2026by: Jocelyn WalshProgram: Spring Semester in Asia
Our family would highly recommend MEI International Academy. Several of our family members have joined with MEI over the years since 1999, and the MEI family of educators are second to none. Most recently, we aimed to send our Gr.12 daughter but travel was hindered by COVID-19. Without missing a beat, MEI staff arranged for engaged online learning, which allowed for the children to receive their credits without compromising the integrity of the education they received. While learning from home was not the plan, MEI sought to engage the children and took care to support them through a difficult time. Student safety and wellbeing never wavered from the primary objective of the staff. Knowing this, gives me the confidence as a parent to trust them with my child. When it's safe to travel, we look forward to our daughter heading out to complete the second leg of her MEI journey to see the world. Thank you to Joe & Rita Mei for all your hard work and dedication, and to your staff for working so hard to support the kids through their learning experience.
It was the best!
August 09, 2025by: Zara CrossThis program has truly transformed my understanding of what vet med could look like. I have also made some of the most valuable memories and connections. I couldn't have had a better time. I hope to be able to go on another Loop program again. It was the best!
If you're on the fence, do it.
August 09, 2025by: Alivia O'MooreIt was a life-changing experience that I'm so grateful I was able to be a part of. If anyone is on the fence about applying, do it. You'll meet so many incredible people and you'll learn so much more than school will teach you. Not to mention the food is so good!
Program is amazing.
August 09, 2025by: Karina PetersonThis program is amazing, including tons of activities and experiences that can't be found at school. It helps me to prepare for what come next in my career and I gain a lot of new knowledge. It is also a great opportunity to meet lots of new friends and different culture.
I have loved every second of this trip.
June 30, 2025by: Pia LarkinProgram: CIEE HS Summer Abroad: Wildlife Conservation in Sydney
This has been an amazing, life-changing experience. I have loved every second of this trip, and hope that many other people get the experience just like I did. I have learned so many new things, and have overcome many different challenges, which I know will help me throughout college and in the future. I have learned many different life skills and believe this program is such an amazing opportunity that everyone should try.
Very nice program
August 06, 2024by: Sophia CameronVery nice program!! I loved it so much. All of the staff made my experience special. My favorite was being around all the animals, especially waking up to see an alpaca outside my window. The enrichment project also taught me a lot.
So many new friends in vet med
August 06, 2024by: Rayna AriasThis was a great experience! Not only did I learn a ton about animals, but I also made new friends and had a lot of fun visiting the tide pools at Terrigal, throwing a boomerang, and doing the scavenger hunt. I highly recommend this program for all students interested in vet medicine
Best trip ever
August 06, 2024by: Maia LangOne of the best experiences ever. I literally feel like I'll never be able to replicate the high of being here for the first time ever again. Our Support staff made this trip special becasue they cared about this program and the people here and are just high-key awesome!
Great program great support
August 06, 2024by: Paisley ChristianBest vet program I have ever joined. The entiee social space and support was overwhelmingly wonderful. My favorite activity was actually the necropsy because it gave me a better sense of working hands-on. All of the staff made my experience so special!
Learn about different species, the importance of conservation, and make new friends.
August 17, 2023by: Juliana SingerI loved learning about the different species, the importance of conservation, learning and making new friends. I loved being in a household with so many people and being surrounded by animals. I also loved going to the beach!
One of the best experiences I’ve ever had
August 25, 2022by: Cooper Hartog - United StatesThis was my first summer not going to camp so to google I went for summer things to do with animals where I can get as far away from my parents as possible and this program sure did that. Whole flying half way around the world alone is scary as a 16 year old this was some of the best two weeks I’ve ever had. I mean you are surrounded by animals all the time and I mean all the time (it’s Australia you can’t escape the spiders). I learned so much about animals and also just traveling away from my parents and was friend with everyone in my program. Overall I couldn’t recommend this program more

I had a great time!
August 25, 2022by: Isarah Hester - United StatesI’ve learned about things I didn’t even know before, and got to know amazing people that I still talk to today. Although the COVID breakout happened, we recovered and all ended well. During the COVID times, the people in the negative house was treated almost the same as the positive group even though we tested negative and was restricted from helping rangers yet still had lectures every morning. It definitely set us back back but everything else was well. I see myself going on another LoopAbroad trip in the future!
Volunteering abroad in Australia
October 22, 2019by: Bryn Pierce - United StatesProgram: Travel For Teens: Australia and New Zealand Service
Starting off, I would recommend any TFT trip. They are a very experienced company with staff that are very organized and familiar with the countries that you are visiting. This Australia and New Zealand trip had the perfect amount of volunteering time as well as excursions to have fun with. We had about 20 hours of volunteer service where we helped at a non-profit animal center. Aside from these hours, we would take trips to waterfalls and beaches to relax, but also immerse ourselves into the culture. We were able to visit small markets and farms as well as iconic sights such as the Sydney Oprah House. Travel for Teens has given me new experiences worldwide that I definitely would not have been able to plan or do by myself.
Best three weeks ever!
September 25, 2019by: Alaina no - United StatesProgram: Travel For Teens: Australia and New Zealand Service
In the Summer of 2018, I had the amazing opportunity of traveling to Australia and New Zealand. It was absolutely amazing. I got to do once-in-a-lifetime activities such as scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Bridge Climb. These are memories that I will never forgot. I had the most amazing counselors and met friends that I still keep in touch with. There was not a day that I did not love. If you have the opportunity to do this, you should, I can guarantee that you will not regret it.
I had the best time of my life!
November 20, 2018by: Wendy - United StatesProgram: Travel For Teens: Australia and New Zealand Service
From paragliding in New Zealand to snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef of the coast of Australia, I had the best 21 days of my life with Travel for Teens. I will never forget looking out the window on Air New Zealand as we flew through the snow-capped mountains to land in Queenstown. The beauty of this foreshadowed the once-in-a-life time experiences I had the privilege of doing on this amazing adventure. The counselors made me feel so at home in places I’ve never been, and the friends I made gave me memories I will cherish forever. I recommend this trip to anyone who loves adventure and lives for the moment.
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