CIEE HS Summer Abroad: Soccer & Mental Performance in Kyoto

Train like a champion in Kyoto, where tradition, discipline, and performance go hand in hand.

World-class soccer athletes train more than their bodies; they train their minds, too. This summer, explore the science of mental performance in Kyoto, a city shaped by centuries of discipline and mindfulness, rooted in traditions like martial arts and meditation. Alongside fellow Global Navigators, you’ll create a personal performance portfolio as you set goals, practice daily, track your progress, and develop strategies to help you thrive in athletics and beyond.

Take a deep dive into the science behind athletic success, exploring how athletes develop mental skills, build resilience, overcome challenges, and face competition. Through daily time on the pitch with local peers and Global Navigators, you’ll apply the principles of peak performance to real life, discovering how the same strategies that help athletes compete can help you navigate challenges beyond sports.

Outside the classroom, you’ll experience Kyoto. Pound thunderous rhythms in a taiko drumming workshop that turns music into a full-body workout, then dress like a samurai and learn sword techniques and choreography from expert instructors. Between the friendships you build and the challenges you conquer, your summer in Kyoto will inspire you to challenge yourself and envision your own future in athletics in college or beyond.