Summer High School Experiential Learning Programs

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 workshops. Travel for eco-adventure to the beautiful region of La Fortuna, at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Trek through the rainforest to a breathtaking waterfall and go on a zipline canopy tour through the jungle. Perform trail work at a private reserve and see exotic wildlife such as sloths, howler monkeys, and toucans. Travel to Manuel Antonio beach on the Pacific coast for surf lessons, white water rafting, and hiking through the national park. Learn what sustainable tourism and eco-adventure are all about! A basic level of Spanish is recommended for this program.

Advance your Spanish with both formal study and first-hand cultural experience during this four-week program in Málaga, Spain. During our summer language camp in Spain, you’ll have the unique opportunity to make friends with students from around the world by living together on a college campus in the Teatinos neighborhood. On weekends, join friends on trips to destinations in southern Spain such as the famous and beautiful Alhambra in Granada and the sun-drenched cities of Seville, Cordoba, and Marbella. This camp welcomes around 60 AFSers from around the world, including students from Brazil, Canada, China, Czechia, Denmark, Italy, Norway and Turkey – to name a few! The camp setting is designed to allow you to form friendships with individuals from around the world while experiencing chaperoned experiences or on campus activities like soccer, volleyball, and basketball. As you explore your community, you’re bound to notice southern Spain’s laid-back and social culture. You’ll find that people like to take a step back and enjoy life. The primary focus of this program will be language-learning, so take advantage of the immersion experience and really skyrocket your Spanish skills!

Tapas and ancient temples. Picasso and paella. Quirky, colorful buildings that look straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. In Barcelona, you’ll discover all this and more. Museums display bold works by Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and Joan Miró. The buildings themselves are as impressive as the masterpieces inside. Delicious food abounds, with specialties unique to the Catalonian region like creamy custard and caramel desserts. Here, you’ll study the standard Spanish language, also known as Castilian, and get exposed to the regional Catalan language. Not to worry: In Barcelona, 98% of the population speaks “regular” Spanish, even if they also speak Catalan. The city is a fascinating place to discover linguistic differences while ramping up your Spanish vocabulary and conversational skills. After daily language and culture classes, you’ll head out on the town for group activities, museum trips, and downtime in local parks and cafes. On evenings and weekends with your homestay, you’ll get into the rhythm of Spanish life while shopping, kicking around a soccer ball, hitting the beach, and helping to prepare meals with host siblings and friends.

Breathtaking waterfalls, immense glaciers, spectacular volcanoes, and some of the richest wildlife on the planet. Our Iceland adventure trip begins with a tour of the hip city of Reykjavik, home to funky street art, artisan boutiques, and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. From there, we’ll road-trip around the entire country following the Ring Road, making stops along the way to soak in one of the world’s most untouched countries. You’ll have the chance to snorkel in the fissure where the European and American tectonic plates meet, hear the roar of waterfalls as you stand behind the cascading water, and hang out with puffins as they roost on the cliffs! Go for a soak in not just one, but several natural hot springs, including the famous Blue Lagoon. Hike in the amazing Dimmuborgir Lava Forest, and even ride the majestic Icelandic horses. Cross fjords, kayak through a beautiful harbor to a shipwreck and, of course, go on a whale watch! This teen adventure program in Iceland is ideal for high school students (finishing grades 9, 10, and 11) who love nature, off-the-beaten-path travel destinations, and adrenaline-inducing adventure activities.

Join the Sloth and Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica, a renowned wildlife organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of local animals. The center includes an on-site hospital and comfortable living quarters for volunteers. The enclosures, surrounded by nature, provide a habitat-like environment for the animals as they recover. As a volunteer, you'll work in a team to provide care for over 100 animals – including sloths, birds, and monkeys – in a sanctuary nestled in nature's lap. You'll take on a hands-on role that involves tasks like preparing food, feeding animals, maintaining clean enclosures, and assisting the on-site vet when possible. You'll also take part in educational community projects, raising awareness about wildlife conservation.

Our Florence program is one of Abbey Road's most popular study abroad programs for nearly twenty years running. Our students benefit from the residential living experience in the heart of Florence and 24/7 support from our program staff of professional artists, chefs, photographers, and art historians. From daily classes in Italian Language, Photography, Studio Art, Tuscan Cuisine, and Art History to activities ranging from museum visits to Top Chef, we challenge our students daily to try new interests, expand their horizons, and make the most of this exceptional summer opportunity. We give our students fresh, high-quality food from local markets. Our culinary staff members shop for our students, they conduct Tuscan cuisine workshops where students learn to make some of the Florentine delicacies. We cook together one or two nights per week, on some nights we go out for group dinners at trendy local restaurants. Some nights we have catered meals. In any case, our students eat authentic, quality food, as opposed to fast food or tourist meals. Abbey Road’s teaching method emphasizes active, hands-on learning, and cultural immersion.

Develop your Spanish skills in Costa Rica with the Maximo Nivel Spanish Camp. Maximo Nivel Summer Spanish Camp is a full-immersion experience that integrates the Spanish language into all aspects of the program, including community service, sports, cultural activities, and tourism. You receive 3 hours of Spanish classes per day before heading out to different cultural activities and tours in the afternoon. Activities include museum visits, national park tours, creative workshops, recreational games, and more. This unique experience helps you develop a better sense of the world and grow into a true global citizen. Spanish Camp is an experience you remember forever! Every day, Spanish campers immerse themselves in the Spanish language while participating in a variety of activities and events around the capital city of San Jose and the beach towns of Manuel Antonio and Quepos. During weeknights, planned activities include salsa lessons, bonfires, karaoke, game nights, and movie nights, as well as quality time and Spanish language practice with your host family. On weekends, you take part in exciting cultural adventures and nature tours led by our professional guides.

IMA offers an opportunity to enhance your medical and healthcare knowledge with International Medical Aid's Pre-Med and Health Fellowships. Crafted for pre-med undergraduates, medical students, and high school students, these fellowships offer a unique chance to engage deeply with global health care in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Shadow doctors in underserved communities, and immerse yourself in diverse healthcare systems through our extensive network of public and private hospitals. IMA, a nonprofit organization, is deeply invested in the communities we serve, focusing on sustainable health solutions and ethical care practices. You'll be involved in community medical clinics, public health education, and first responder training, addressing the root causes of disease and illness alongside local community leaders. Beyond clinical experience, explore the beauty of your host country through cultural excursions and adventure programs during your free time. Join IMA's fellowships developed at Johns Hopkins University and step into a role that transcends traditional healthcare learning, blending clinical excellence with meaningful community service.

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 learning about the country and culture of Spain. Program at a glance: - Three morning classes for 50 minutes, Monday through Friday, in air-conditioned classrooms - Classes are taught by native-speaking teachers who specialize in teaching Spanish as a foreign language - Students receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course - Programs are divided by age (14-16 and 17-18)

The Seoul summer program of LanguBridge provides students an unforgettable immersion experience in Korea through intense language learning and cultural exploration. Participants have the opportunity to live with a host family that is more than happy to share the local culture and language with international students. This is an ideal opportunity for teens to explore a different culture and learn at the same time. The language study is hosted at a local university, which provides high-quality instruction and a safe and comfortable learning environment. Staying with a local host family allows students to immerse themselves in the local language and culture and interact with local people. The trips and culture lessons are to complement the language classes to make a fun and enriching experience. Our programs combine premium quality with unmatched value — delivering the same depth of learning and cultural engagement as other programs, but at a much lower price.

Join us for the experience of a lifetime! Reach Cambridge offers students aged 14-18 from all over the world the unique opportunity to prepare for their future in the beautiful and inspiring University City of Cambridge. We offer a diverse range of subject courses taught by expert tutors, complemented by engaging workshops and lectures. Each course is specially designed to complement high school studies while offering a glimpse of university-style learning. We also offer a varied daily program of inclusive, fun activities and weekend excursions to other famous cultural highlights within the UK, such as London, Oxford, and Stratford-upon-Avon. Join our truly international community of students and make friends from around the world in a safe and positive environment. Applications are now open for 2025! Please visit our website to check offers and apply. Choose your program: Two weeks Sunday 5th July - Saturday 18th July 2026 Sunday 19th July - Saturday 1st August 2026 Sunday 2nd August - Saturday 15th August 2026 Four weeks Sunday 5th July - Saturday 1st August 2026 Sunday 19th July - Saturday 15th August 2026 Six weeks Sunday 5th July - Saturday 15th August 2026

World Class Programs offers high school students the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Our summer program is designed for teens from all academic backgrounds who are excited about immersing themselves in Italian culture and lifestyle. This pre-college program offers various course study options, including Art History, Fine Arts, Philosophy, Photography, Architecture, Italian language, and Tuscan Cuisine. Students can choose a major course for daily focus (Monday to Friday) in the mornings for three hours. Then, they attend elective classes, each lasting two hours, three times a week in the afternoons. On weekends, they go on day trips around Italy to explore cultural differences from city to city. Locations vary yearly; previous participants have visited Cinque Terre, Siena, Pisa, and Venice!

Our St Andrews Summer School in Scotland is open for students aged 13 – 18, from around the globe. This all-inclusive, three-week program provides them the opportunity to spend an exciting summer at a leading university in the UK. They choose one academic and one elective subject from the following options. Academics: Debate Study Skills English Language Advanced English Youth Leadership Creative Writing IB Extended Essay Business & Entrepreneurship Electives: Golf Art Film Tennis Theater ISSOS at St Andrews is based on the picturesque grounds of The University of St Andrews and students stay in residence halls, in a block exclusive to ISSOS. This means a comfortable and safe environment for teens while away from home. Here, they combine learning, creative enrichment, and an exciting adventure. And with a mix of native and non-native English speakers, we guarantee a truly international experience for our students. Our next session dates, run as follows: St Andrews Session 1: 28 June – 19 July 2026 St Andrews Session 2: 22 July – 12 August 2026

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 Project - Beachside Service Adventure - Marine Conservation & Sea Turtle Expedition™ - The Ultimate Adventure - Medicine & Healthcare Discovery - Middle School Service Adventure - Ocean & Wildlife Conservation Adventure™ - Sea Turtle Initiative™ - Spanish Service Adventure - Surf, Sports & Sustainability ™ - The Initiative for Children ™ - Spring Break Service Adventure - Costa Rica Internship: Career Exploration In Environmental Stewardship Costa Rica is known for its serene tropical surroundings and leading ecological conservation efforts. It comprises five percent of the world's biodiversity, making it Central America’s "crown jewel" and an unbeatable location for natural and cultural exploration.

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 training Service-learning projects Leadership development workshops Mentorship from former college athletes International adventure GLASS is designed to help high school female athletes unleash their full leadership potential on and off the playing field.

Discover China Through Language & Culture. Founded in 2003, Go Abroad China (GAC) offers immersive Mandarin programs for international high school students. This program combines intensive classroom learning with real-world practice, cultural workshops, and social activities. Program Types: Short-Term (2-8 weeks): Summer/Winter camps. Long-Term (Semester/Year): Study at top Chinese schools. Customized Programs: Tailored to individual needs. What’s Included: Mandarin instruction at leading schools. Homestays, shared apartments, or dorms. One-on-one tutoring and language exchange. Cultural tours, networking, and excursions. 24/7 support for safety and guidance. Why Choose GAC? Achieve Mandarin fluency with certification. Gain cultural fluency and global exposure. Enhance college applications and career prospects. Build lifelong friendships and professional networks.

Step into the world of modern medicine at Oxford or Cambridge, where groundbreaking discoveries have shaped global healthcare for centuries. The Immers Medicine Summer Program offers ambitious students the chance to explore what it’s really like to study medicine at the university level. Over two weeks, you’ll delve into advanced topics such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, and medical ethics, guided by expert Oxbridge tutors. Beyond lectures and discussions, you’ll engage in hands-on workshops that bring medical theory to life. From practising clinical skills and analysing case studies to exploring how technology is transforming healthcare, you’ll develop both scientific knowledge and practical abilities. Small-group teaching and personalised 1:1 tutorials ensure you receive tailored feedback and support.

During the Seeds of Change Tropical Rainforest Research Program, students are immersed in a hands-on field research program that takes advantage of the immense biodiversity of the tropical rainforest. They learn how to apply the scientific method while collaborating with team members to establish their original research question as well as the experimental design for their project. Students work together to implement their research and learn how to work as a team to overcome challenges and rebound from failures within resource and time constraints, just as in any real-world project. They use statistics to validate the results of their experiments and give presentations showing the results of their work, just like any research scientist would! The Tropical Field Research program prepares students for university-level science. Students learn how to work as a team, handle differences, and take advantage of the ways others communicate best. Students use TypeCoach to help navigate team-member differences. They learn and apply the most appropriate experimental designs, apply key statistical analysis techniques, and present their research in Costa Rica and their community at home.

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 mountains to the beach and Chiang Mai to Bangkok as you go rock climbing, snorkeling, and rafting. Plus, interact with Asian elephants. Thai Elephant Conservation Project – Learn how to be an elephant trainer while doing hands-on tasks at an animal sanctuary. Ocean and Rainforest Service – Explore Thailand’s vibrant ecosystems as you snorkel pristine reefs, learn conservation techniques in ancient rainforests, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of a unique seaside community. Come with Nothing – Dive into service projects at three remote villages in Northern Thailand, and then spend time with your host families as you learn about local life in this culturally immersive program.

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 Cinque Terre and tour the wondrous ruins of Athens. Explore Greek islands with a SCUBA diving lesson in Naxos, plus kayaking and sunset views in Santorini. This program, led by friendly trip leaders, places teens into co-ed, age-compatible groups that are fun, inclusive, and dynamic for all. The detailed itinerary allows the flexibility to (perhaps) find a new favourite beach or sample every gelato stand along the way! Please note that on certain departure dates, some participants depart on day 17, and new participants may join as the group continues on to the islands.