Sarah Preston
School the World
AlumniAs a high school student, there were not many opportunities to travel to a new place, experience a different culture, and step outside of my comfort z...
Read Full InterviewHigh School Study Abroad Programs
Get a jumpstart on broadening your horizons! Experience the real world before college and gain new perspectives.
High school, for many, is a period of concentrated self-development, a time where the realization begins to take place that there is a great big world around us. In fact, there’s nothing that can put into perspective your own high school experience like going abroad! In uprooting from familiarity and venturing out to experience life in another culture, you will realize many valuable lessons about yourself and wherever it is that you call home. Are youth travel programs the right move for you? Start looking for the best high school program abroad now!
Top High School Program Providers
Featured High School Program Provider of the Month
Featured High School Travel Opportunities
This Month’s Recommended High School Programs
MAXIMO NIVEL
4.7
3313 reviews
Turn your summer into an immersive adventure with Maximo Nivel’s teen Summer Camp programs in Costa Rica. Designed for teens aged 13 to 17, you can choose between two impactful tracks—Spanish Camp or Volunteer Camp—and explore the beauty of Manuel Anto...
THINK Global School
0
0 reviews
Imagine spending Grades 11 and 12 living and learning across eight different countries. At THINK Global School (TGS), the world’s first traveling high school, students discover just how much the world has to teach them, broadening their perspectives an...
Global Leadership Adventures
4.82
261 reviews
Travel to Costa Rica and make a difference in a subject area you are passionate about! Choose from program themes ranging from Public Health and Medicine to Animal and Wildlife Conservation to Language Immersion and everything in between. GLA's offerin...
Go Abroad China Ltd.
4.7
579 reviews
Go Abroad China’s High School Chinese Language Immersion Program is designed for international students aged 13–18 who want to learn Chinese in China while experiencing authentic Chinese culture in a safe and supportive environment. Students can choose...
Expanish
4.55
119 reviews
Discover the magic of Spain this summer with Expanish! Our Young Adults Spanish Immersion Program invites students aged 16-20 to one of Europe's most iconic cities for a unique blend of language learning, cultural exploration, and personal growth.Wheth...
Seville Abroad
4.75
67 reviews
Our “High School in Spain” program lets you study at a top-quality Spanish high school in one of Seville’s most vibrant neighborhoods. You’ll live with a carefully selected host family, enjoy cultural activities and excursions, and have the full suppor...
Arcos Journeys Abroad
4.8
414 reviews
Travel to the enchanting colonial city of Oaxaca, Mexico for an unforgettable Spanish immersion experience. Delve into the language and learn about Mexican culture in this activity-rich program. Take daily classes at the prestigious University of Oaxac...
AFS-USA
4.34
76 reviews
Germany is a world of majestic palaces, charming villages, and cutting-edge cities brimming with cosmopolitan delights. Known as the land of “Dichter und Denker” (poets and thinkers), Germany is an epicenter of artistic innovation and thought-provoking...
Global Works
4.7
37 reviews
Global Works specializes in teen service trips and educational experiences to Costa Rica for high school and middle school students. These student travel programs have been our most popular over the years for good reason. Incredible biodiversity and a ...
How to Study High School Programs Abroad
Can you study abroad in high school?
You can absolutely study abroad in high school! Your best options for participating in teen travel programs are to either go abroad during a school break, like summer or spring break, or to go on an exchange program for a full academic year. The right choice for you will depend on your budget, how old you are, and your GPA.
Doing high school study abroad during a school break is considerably cheaper than studying abroad for an entire year, and there aren’t as many logistics to consider, like making sure you’ll get the school credit you need. However, if you have serious academic goals for yourself in college, a high school exchange program will leave college admissions officers impressed!
The requirements to study abroad in high school are usually:
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Permission from your parents and/or school
- Financial capability
- A certain level of maturity and sense of responsibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the questions travelers ask most
Yes, you can study abroad in high school! There are numerous exchange and study abroad programs around the world that are geared towards teen travelers, like Travel For Teens and Abbey Road Programs.
Common ways to study abroad in high school are to participate in programs abroad during summer, winter, and spring breaks. You can become a long-term exchange student through programs like AFS and Nacel International.
For Americans, there are opportunities to be a foreign high school exchange student through the Department of State. Additionally, you can go through private companies like AFS and Nacel International.
Latest Program Reviews
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Latest Interviews
Alumni and staff share what it's really like to go abroad
Lowa-Joe Hobeiche
ISSOS International
AlumniWhat inspired me to go abroad was the desire to step out of my comfort zone and discover a world beyond what I was used to. I wanted to meet new peopl...
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