
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...
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with Go Abroad China Ltd.


THINK Global School
0
Imagine spending Grades 11 and 12 living and learning across eight different countries. At THINK Global School (TGS), the world’s first traveling...
Arcos Journeys Abroad
42
Travel to Costa Rica for a program rich in community service and eco-adventure. Experience the traditional town of Atenas, surrounded by verdant mountains. Immerse fully in the Costa Rican culture by living with a local family and engaging in community service projects and afternoon cultural worksho
See All 11 ProgramsAFS-USA
13
Develop fluency in the French language and culture by living with a host family and studying at a local high school. Paris is magnificent, but France is more than one city. AFS students have lived in communities ranging from the snowcapped Alps to the sparkling Mediterranean. Most host families liv
See All 46 ProgramsCIEE High School Abroad
14
Explore the vibrant capital of Catalonia, studying with a cohort of American students as you immerse yourself in Spanish life. Spend a semester abroad following U.S.-aligned high school classes with a cohort of American students. Our hybrid model allows you to customize your schedule with in-person
See All 136 ProgramsTravel For Teens
29
Adventure through Europe with us and get a real backpacking experience as we navigate from Italy through Switzerland to Paris! Our approach is rooted in the classic backpacker strategy—get a rail pass, explore cities with various daily choices, and leave ourselves open to the spontaneous possibiliti
See All 93 ProgramsInternational Medical Aid (IMA)
168
International Medical Aid’s Pre-Med and Global Health Internships welcome undergraduates, pre-med and medical students, graduates, and healthcare professionals interested in learning from local teams. High-school applicants follow IMA’s high-school pathway, with activities suited to their age and pr
See All 15 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
51
Volunteer at one of the largest & most successful wildlife rehabilitation/release centers in Africa! Participants on this project work with a range of animals; anything from chimpanzees to baby cheetahs. Experience beautiful Zimbabwe all while making a positive impact on the delicate African ecosyst
See All 43 ProgramsGo Abroad China Ltd.
23
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 from University Chinese Language Programs, Sm
MAXIMO NIVEL
23
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 Antonio and San José as you discover a world of tr
Global Leadership Adventures
64
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 offerings include: - Animal Rescue & Veterinary Projec
See All 14 ProgramsRustic Pathways
38
Play games with Asian elephants, snorkel in crystal blue waters, and immerse yourself in village life as you explore a country known for its warm people. Our programs take you off the beaten path for an unforgettable journey through Thailand. This includes: Thailand Adventurer – Travel from the
See All 25 ProgramsSeville Abroad
41
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 support of a locally based team. With an office right
Expanish
20
Experience an unforgettable summer in vibrant Barcelona, Madrid, or Málaga with Expanish’s teen immersion camp for ages 13–17. The program includes 20 group Spanish lessons per week (max 15 students), led entirely in Spanish by certified native teachers, focusing on communication, grammar, listeni
See All 3 ProgramsMEI Academy World High School
10
Opening in Paris, The City of Light, gets this summer program started with a charge! We visit The Louvre, D'Orsay, and Pompidou museums and galleries that have stunned the wealthy and elite for generations. We climb the Eiffel Tower after a dinner at its base. Then after golden hour photos looking
See All 13 ProgramsWestcoast Connection
15
Join us this summer on an amazing Greece and Italy adventure travel program for teens. Explore ancient ruins and breathtaking natural landscapes, and savour the freshest, most incredible food in this program that takes you off the beaten path. See breathtaking views from the seaside villages of Cinq
See All 63 ProgramsBeyond Sports Tours
25
The Girls Leadership Academy for Service & Sport (GLASS) is designed specifically for high school female athletes. Our one-of-a-kind curriculum is woven through sports, service, and global engagement. Hosted on our private campus in Costa Rica, each 10-day GLASS session includes: Sports-performance
LITA
20
LITA is a full-immersion program that offers high school students a dynamic experience far removed from English-speaking tourism. Participants advance their language skills through small, intimate groups of 12-16 students and three group leaders, with extensive homestay experiences in small towns, i
Greenheart Travel
13
Learn and improve your Spanish through full language and cultural immersion on Greenheart Travel’s summer language camp program in the bustling city of Salamanca! We welcome teens of all skills, including beginners! Live with a Spanish host family and make friends from around the world, all while le
See All 9 ProgramsGlobal Works
10
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 welcoming culture make Costa Rica an awesome cho
See All 8 ProgramsPutney Student Travel
7
Live and volunteer in a rural Costa Rican community on this immersive high school service program. Begin at a rainforest ecolodge near Lake Arenal, where you learn about sustainability, explore jungle trails, and prepare for your project work. Settle into your host community to partner with local re
See All 28 ProgramsExperiential learning abroad gives you something far more potent than snapshots and souvenirs. It shapes the way you understand people, cultures, and your place in the world.
Before you board your flight, it helps to understand what experiential learning abroad is really like so you can step into your adventure feeling confident.
Each destination offers its own blend of culture, history, and hands-on learning, so choose a place that sparks your curiosity and aligns with the kinds of experiences you’re excited to dive into.
Costa Rica is an incredible destination for experiential learning, especially for students interested in ecology, language immersion, or cultural exploration. Its rainforests, wildlife diversity, and vibrant local traditions offer the perfect backdrop for hands-on adventures, service learning, and meaningful community connection.
China makes an unforgettable setting for experiential learning thanks to its deep history, global influence, and dynamic blend of ancient and modern life. Students gain valuable insights into culture, innovation, and language by exploring bustling cities, rural traditions, and historical sites that enrich the experience.
South Africa brings experiential learning to life with its multicultural communities, iconic landscapes, and powerful social history. Students can learn directly from local leaders, explore biodiversity hotspots, and engage with community-centered projects that make this destination both educational and transformative.
Your journey begins with finding the right match, choosing a meaningful program, and preparing for an unforgettable experience abroad.
Use GoAbroad’s Online Advisor to get paired with experiential learning programs that match your interests and goals.
Sign up for MyGoAbroad to research, compare, and select the experiential learning opportunity that speaks to you.
Choosing when to participate shapes the type of experiences you’ll have abroad.
Fill out our scholarships and deals application to get instantly matched with funding opportunities for experiential learning programs abroad!
Head to your chosen program’s page on GoAbroad and hit “Apply Now” to begin your travel journey.
Check your visa and passport, book your flight, purchase insurance, and confirm your accommodation details.
Hear what past participants have to say about their experiences
During this program, I grew as a person, global citizen, and in the French language! The camp was amazing and we got to do so many fun activities like going to the beach and exploring cities around us. I also had a huge improvement in my language skills thanks to the classes we took on campus. I made lifelong friends from around the world as well! It was truly a once in a lifetime experience!
In December of 2025, I had no plans of studying abroad; everything seemed to expensive or out-of-reach. It was half-way through that month that my French teacher approached me with an opportunity to pursue a scholarship that funded the majority of this program. Upon winning that scholarship (on my birthday!) and another financial aid tuition cut—all thanks to the amazing AFS donors who made that possible—I was given the chance to attend this program. Together with 24 other people from the United States, we were thrown into a whole new world. As would be an expectation by anyone who had never experienced an opportunity of such a scale before, the beginning of the program was difficult. It was easy, at this point, to only see what was negative about being in France at that time: the rooms were hot and muggy, I was unsure of my roomates, and I hadn’t slept well because of adrenaline. It was the end of June of 2026, and I had only just began my month-long program; I couldn’t wait for July to come faster. Almost exponentially, in a sense, my experience of the program skyrocketed in a good direction. Simultaneously with all the enjoyment and excitement studying abroad brought me, I learned to enjoy things that were different from what I was used to: we learned work-arounds to cool off the dorms at night, I learned to see the dorm bed as my own and finally be able to rest and process what was going on, the people around me developed too—we were all in it together, and those fellow attendees became some of the best friends I’ve ever made. Come the time of my graduation in 2028, I want to continue what I started this summer and pursue a degree in France at university. I’ll never forget my time in France. To whoever happens to be reading this—either adult or youth—the risk is worth it: the heat, the stress, fear, were all worth it. Life is far too short, and the world is far too divided to never see it all. Take the chance if you have it!



Program: Travel For Teens : Greece and Italy
Wow! Travel For Teens organized an incredible trip! There were fun activities, great food, and lots of memories! This trip was a great combination of sightseeing, beaches/boating, and learning about a new culture. The three trip leaders were absolutely incredible, they were fun while still being very responsible and organized. I absolutely loved this trip!
Program: Travel For Teens : Greece and Italy
My trip to Italy in Greece was the trip of a lifetime. I met so many amazing people who I will stay in touch with for the rest of my life! Spending two weeks abroad with people my age was one of the funnest times ever!!! I loved getting to go to new places, try new foods, buy way too many souvenirs and take so many photos and videos!!!
Program: Caribbean Scuba and Sailing Voyage
this was a really fun trip and opens my eyes to new adventures and i believe that if you are i need of a trip of a lifetime and to find new friends and people of similar intrest that you should consider the broad reach trips because they bring life. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT. I LOVED IT
Going on this trip was something I wish everyone the experience of. Not only did I feel confident in my growth of French I made life long friends and got to experience the French way of living, a pain au chocolat every morning 😜. And see so much beautiful art in museums like the Musée d'Orsay and of course The Louvre. I also got to get some shopping in and as a teen girl that has passion for fashion you know I LOVE my shopping.
Going on this trip was something I wish everyone the experience of. Not only did I feel confident in my growth of French I made life long friends and got to experience the French way of living, a pain au chocolat every morning 😜. And see so much beautiful art in museums like the Musée d'Orsay and of course The Louvre. I also got to get some shopping in and as a teen girl that has passion for fashion you know I LOVE my shopping.


Going on this trip was something I wish everyone the experience of. Not only did I feel confident in my growth of French I made life long friends and got to experience the French way of living, a pain au chocolat every morning 😜. And see so much beautiful art in museums like the Musée d'Orsay and of course The Louvre. I also got to get some shopping in and as a teen girl that has passion for fashion you know I LOVE my shopping.

Going on this trip was something I wish everyone the experience of. Not only did I feel confident in my growth of French I made life long friends and got to experience the French way of living, a pain au chocolat every morning 😜. And see so much beautiful art in museums like the Musée d'Orsay and of course The Louvre. I also got to get some shopping in and as a teen girl that has passion for fashion you know I LOVE my shopping.

Going on this trip was something I wish everyone the experience of. Not only did I feel confident in my growth of French I made life long friends and got to experience the French way of living, a pain au chocolat every morning 😜. And see so much beautiful art in museums like the Musée d'Orsay and of course The Louvre. I also got to get some shopping in and as a teen girl that has passion for fashion you know I LOVE my shopping.


Going on this trip was something I wish everyone the experience of. Not only did I feel confident in my growth of French I made life long friends and got to experience the French way of living, a pain au chocolat every morning 😜. And see so much beautiful art in museums like the Musée d'Orsay and of course The Louvre. I also got to get some shopping in and as a teen girl that has passion for fashion you know I LOVE my shopping.


This trip changed my life and allowed me to grow in more ways than one. I met my best friends, learned independence, and became a more global citizen. This trip was the highlight of my high school experience, creating lasting friendships with people I still talk to today. Each day was filled with fun, new activities and gave me the chance to be independent with the support of my trip director and the other TFT staff. The program could not have been more memorable.
Program: CIEE HS Summer Abroad: Creative Writing & Culture in London
This program made 2026 the best summer of my life. London is my favorite city and this program couldn’t have been more perfect. A perfect mixture of education (classes were so much fun, and I also loved our workshops too where we learned about British culture) and free time to explore the city. We also did so much fun things as a group in the city, but you get a lot of free time with your friends. I learned so much in the creative writing classes and all the lessons were fun rather than boring. I really felt like I got to see London inside and out and get a real Londoner experience rather than as a tourist. I also loved our trips to Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon as well. I made so many friends and many great memories. The staff are also very caring and awesome. Overall, everything about it was perfect and I miss it everyday. Thank you CIEE for this trip of a lifetime!
Program: TFT for Older Teens: Amsterdam, Munich, Swiss Alps & Venice
I had a life changing trip. I met so many friends that I am still friends with now two years later. I learned so much about the countries I went to and how to navigate internal travel in Europe. Seeing different cities and cultures broaden my horizons of the world and what I want to do in life.
My trip with TFT was truly one of my best travel experiences I’ve ever had! I was so anxious before I went, but after meeting the staff at the airport and all the other kids, I knew I had nothing to worry about. I made friends very quickly and built great relationships with my counselors. We obviously had a bunch of planned activities, but we also got to have a lot of free time to shop, get food, and just explore the city with our friends. We saw all the sights in both cities while learning about the culture and trying traditional food. This trip is perfect for teens who aren’t super adventurous but still want to travel the world!!
My trip with TFT was truly one of my best travel experiences I’ve ever had! I was so anxious before I went, but after meeting the staff at the airport and all the other kids, I knew I had nothing to worry about. I made friends very quickly and built great relationships with my counselors. We obviously had a bunch of planned activities, but we also got to have a lot of free time to shop, get food, and just explore the city with our friends. We saw all the sights in both cities while learning about the culture and trying traditional food. This trip is perfect for teens who aren’t super adventurous but still want to travel the world!!
My trip with TFT was truly one of my best travel experiences I’ve ever had! I was so anxious before I went, but after meeting the staff at the airport and all the other kids, I knew I had nothing to worry about. I made friends very quickly and built great relationships with my counselors. We obviously had a bunch of planned activities, but we also got to have a lot of free time to shop, get food, and just explore the city with our friends. We saw all the sights in both cities while learning about the culture and trying traditional food. This trip is perfect for teens who aren’t super adventurous but still want to travel the world!!

My trip with TFT was truly one of my best travel experiences I’ve ever had! I was so anxious before I went, but after meeting the staff at the airport and all the other kids, I knew I had nothing to worry about. I made friends very quickly and built great relationships with my counselors. We obviously had a bunch of planned activities, but we also got to have a lot of free time to shop, get food, and just explore the city with our friends. We saw all the sights in both cities while learning about the culture and trying traditional food. This trip is perfect for teens who aren’t super adventurous but still want to travel the world!!

My trip with TFT was truly one of my best travel experiences I’ve ever had! I was so anxious before I went, but after meeting the staff at the airport and all the other kids, I knew I had nothing to worry about. I made friends very quickly and built great relationships with my counselors. We obviously had a bunch of planned activities, but we also got to have a lot of free time to shop, get food, and just explore the city with our friends. We saw all the sights in both cities while learning about the culture and trying traditional food. This trip is perfect for teens who aren’t super adventurous but still want to travel the world!!
My trip with TFT was truly one of my best travel experiences I’ve ever had! I was so anxious before I went, but after meeting the staff at the airport and all the other kids, I knew I had nothing to worry about. I made friends very quickly and built great relationships with my counselors. We obviously had a bunch of planned activities, but we also got to have a lot of free time to shop, get food, and just explore the city with our friends. We saw all the sights in both cities while learning about the culture and trying traditional food. This trip is perfect for teens who aren’t super adventurous but still want to travel the world!!
Alumni and staff share what it's really like to go abroad

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...
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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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Sandra Monk
Youth For Understanding (YFU)
AlumniI wanted to experience a culture that contrasted with our own and have the opportunity to learn firsthand about that culture and language.
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Brittany Hall
Oui-Connect
AlumniI love the French culture and the language, but I was having a hard time speaking it even after taking French class in school. I could read it fairly ...
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Megan Frye
AFS-USA
AlumniMy mother went abroad with AFS when she was my age, and I grew up hearing stories and listening to her read me some children's books in Danish. I've a...
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Selina Ranade
AFS-USA
AlumniI have a lot of family who live abroad, specifically one who goes to uni in Amsterdam. After being confined to my home for two years due to Covid-19 m...
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Reilly Klug
World Class Programs
AlumniDerek Tano, co-owner of World Class Programs, was a past teacher of mine and the previous head coach of the speech team at my school. He is an excepti...
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Grace Fogle
Nacel Educational Travel
AlumniMy mother traveled abroad in high school and felt this would be a great experience for me to immerse myself in the Spanish language and experience bei...
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Kate Ilumin
The Experiment in International Living
AlumniI love to travel and experience other cultures. I have traveled to the Philippines to see my family and experience Filipino culture. I used to live in...
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Cecilia Daniele
Global Works
AlumniI went to Costa Rica last year with SPI for two weeks and I knew I wanted to help the world and improve my Spanish.
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Evelina Ogro
Travel For Teens
AlumniBoth of my parents are from Europe, so I’ve always had a desire to see Europe, but no one my age to go with.
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Juliana Ferrer
Outward Bound Costa Rica
AlumniI was inspired by my love of adventure and I wanted to have a chance to step out of my comfort zone.
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Miranda Lozano
University of Dallas
AlumniBEST DECISION EVER. I knew I always wanted to travel, but I did not know how it was going to be accomplished until I came across the University of Dal...
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Sofia Casale
Travel For Teens
AlumniI've always had a passion for traveling and dreamed about going overseas. Last winter I was planning out my summer and stumbled upon TFT and immediate...
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Natalie Finfer
Travel For Teens
AlumniI've never traveled out of North America and really wanted to see new places in the world with new people.
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Olivia Haan 2017
Travel For Teens
AlumniI have always loved traveling and learning about new people and cultures. I have traveled with this company before and had an amazing experience so wh...
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Nataleena Daily
Travel For Teens
AlumniWhen I was younger I had gone overseas to Europe and really enjoyed being immersed in a different culture and meeting new people which inspired me to ...
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Jaden Nogee
Travel For Teens
AlumniIt has always been a dream of mine to travel to Australia. I have always been fascinated with that country. I decided one year to begin saving up to t...
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Grace Crema
ARCC Programs
AlumniI've always wanted to travel and I found asian culture interesting. I wanted to experience it for myself. Also my school didn't offer a service trip t...
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Jeremias Figueroa
The Experiment in International Living
AlumniI got inspired to go abroad because I wanted to expand my worldview and I am deeply interested in seeing the politics/international relations of a cou...
Read Full InterviewExplore the destinations and program types travelers search for most
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