14 Study Abroad Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student curious about the world beyond your hometown, a study abroad program can be a great way to start exploring. These programs allow you to immerse yourself in a new culture, develop language skills, and learn in a different environment within a structured setting.
Many of these programs are offered by well-known colleges and trusted organizations, so you get quality education and support. From language immersion and field research to community service and global studies, these opportunities help you develop independence, adaptability, and a broader perspective on the world. To make the search easier, we’ve compiled a list of 14 study abroad programs for high school students. Whether you want language immersion, adventure, or academic exploration, there’s something here for you.
1. Immerse Education’s Business Management Track
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
The Academic Insights Program lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7-10, and learn from tutors from eminent top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. Participants can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, including Architecture, AI, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Philosophy, and more. The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning. You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad – U.S. Department of State
Location: Multiple countries
Eligibility: Current high school students between the ages of 15 and 18.5
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~60 students
Application Deadline: December 4
Program Dates: Full academic year
Cost/Stipend: No cost; program covers expenses
YES Abroad assigns you to a host family for an academic year and registers you at a local school. You engage in daily routines, school, and community activities, which are integral to your experience. This year-long program facilitates consistent language growth and cultural acclimation. Regular interactions with peers and your host family help you understand regional customs and perspectives. By living in one community for an extended period, you gain familiarity with social, educational, and cultural systems abroad. The experience centers on integrating into daily life while observing how education and community structures function abroad.
3. LITA: A Unique Approach to Language Immersion in Spain
Location: Spain
Eligibility: Students finishing 9th–11th grades
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12-16 students per group
Application Deadline: March 15
Program Dates: Multiple summer sessions
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
In this program, you take part in a Spanish immersion experience focused on rural areas, as you’re placed in small or medium-sized towns outside major English-speaking tourist centers. The program lasts three or five weeks and includes language classes alongside daily activities and on-site learning. Small homestays and group sizes provide continuous Spanish practice through daily life and classroom time. Five-week students may choose a community volunteer internship, and all students complete an independent cultural research project. Groups typically consist of 12–16 students and three group leaders, and staff arrange vetted homestays and supervised local activities. This summer language immersion program focuses on intensive Spanish acquisition and community-based cultural research.
4. High School Study Abroad Program – Council for Education Travel USA (CETUSA)
Location: Multiple countries, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Costa Rica, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden
Eligibility: High school students; specific academic and language requirements vary by country
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: Varies by destination
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies by country; program fees include school placement and host family housing. Does not include airfare, insurance, visa fees, or extracurricular expenses.
This program allows you to enroll in a public high school abroad and stay with a volunteer host family chosen by CETUSA’s partner organizations. Daily routines vary by country, but most programs feature regular schooling, engagement with the host family, and involvement in community activities. The setup creates an immersive environment that enhances language skills through daily interactions. Some locations include an arrival orientation, while others offer it as an optional add-on. Program fees cover academic costs and host family arrangements, while families handle travel and personal expenses. This study abroad option emphasizes academic involvement and cultural immersion across diverse destinations.
5. Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) – U.S. Department of State
Location: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Romania
Eligibility: U.S. citizens in grades 9–12
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 3%
Application Deadline: December 4
Program Dates: ~10 months
Cost/Stipend: No cost for program coverage; personal expenses not included
FLEX sends you abroad for an academic year to live with a volunteer host family and attend a local high school. You participate in everyday community life and school activities. The yearlong placement gives you consistent exposure to cultural norms and local expectations. You also partake in activities related to leadership development and cultural exchange. The focus is on adapting to a new environment while enhancing communication and leadership skills.
6. CIEE High School Summer Abroad
Location: Multiple locations across Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Australia (40 destinations)
Eligibility: High school students (grades and specific requirements vary by program)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Details not provided
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: Summer sessions, typically 3–4 weeks
Cost/Stipend: Varies by destination and program; scholarships available. Flight costs, travel/health insurance, and personal expenses are generally not included
This program allows you to participate in a short-term summer experience that includes daily language or themed classes, cultural activities, and supervised excursions. It is structured to meet U.S. high school academic standards, and some language tracks may provide college credits. CIEE administers a large scholarship fund that awards need-based and merit scholarships, with some awards covering up to 100 percent of summer tuition. Tuition typically includes vetted accommodations, on-site staff support, and safety measures, while travel and incidental costs remain separate. Class sizes are small, and activities promote interactive learning within the host community.
7. Youth For Understanding Intercultural Exchange Programs – Youth For Understanding (YFU)
Location: Multiple countries
Eligibility: U.S. citizens ages 15–18 with a GPA above 3.0
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Details not provided
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Summer, semester, or yearlong
Cost/Stipend: Varies; merit scholarships available
YFU offers summer, semester, and yearlong exchanges that place you with a host family while you attend a local school. The schedule depends on the program length and the chosen country. The homestay model promotes consistent language practice in daily life. You can engage in community activities and school routines, fostering familiarity with the local culture. Each track aims to help you learn about another culture through everyday academic and community experiences.
8. National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) – U.S. Department of State
Location: Regions where Arabic, Mandarin, Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, or Turkish are spoken
Eligibility: Students ages 15 –18 with a minimum GPA of 2.5
Acceptance Rate: Historically selective; exact rate not provided
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: Varies
Cost/Stipend: Program costs covered; personal expenses not included
NSLI-Y starts with several months of language prep before travel, then you join intensive language classes in your assigned country and take part in cultural and academic activities. The structured language curriculum provides consistent practice through daily immersion. Participants do not choose their placement, as assignments are based on program needs. Weekly commitments during the preparatory phase help you build foundational skills before departure. The program’s central aim is the disciplined study of a critical language through structured coursework and immersion.
9. Fall Semester in Europe – MEI Academy, World High School
Location: Multiple locations across Western Europe, including Rome, Florence, Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, Heidelberg, Munich, Berlin, and the Swiss Alps
Eligibility: High school students; specific course placement and grade-level requirements vary by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Program Dates: Varies by term; fall semester itinerary runs across multiple weeks within the academic fall period
Cost/Stipend: Scholarships and academic award options are available
Through this fall semester, you have the opportunity to study while traveling across various European countries, using historic sites as your learning environments. The courses available include AP World History: Modern, AP English Language and Composition, grade-level English, modern media, physical education, and world history. Small groups, a maximum 9:1 student-to-staff ratio, and masterclasses provide individual attention and guided academic mentorship. Daily learning combines live lectures, site-based discussions, and assignments tied to the places you visit. The program offers a streamlined scholarship pre-assessment and individual interviews, while exact fees and deadlines vary by term. The program focuses on location-based interdisciplinary study across multiple European destinations.
10. ASSE Exchange Student High School Program – ASSE International Student Exchange Programs
Location: Multiple regions including Asia/Pacific, Europe, North America, South America, South Africa
Eligibility: Students ages 15–18.5 with a B average or top-third class ranking
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies
Program Dates: Summer, semester, or year-long
Cost/Stipend: $5,000 – $15,000; scholarships available
This program assigns you to a host family and enrolls you in a community school for a predetermined period. You choose your preferred region and program duration before placement, allowing flexibility to align with your schedule. Although the main exchange components stay the same, your daily experience varies based on your specific school and host family. Support staff stay in touch throughout the program to help with any adjustments. The activities focus on daily cultural routines and the academic standards of the host school.
11. Study Abroad Programs – AFS USA
Location: 40+ countries
Eligibility: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies
Program Dates: Summer, semester, or year-long
Cost/Stipend: Varies; scholarships available
AFS provides various formats that vary in length, destination, and academic requirements. Participants stay with a host family and attend school, engaging in a structured schedule of cultural activities. You can select a program option that aligns with your schedule and interests. Orientation sessions prepare you for living abroad and understanding your host community's expectations. Each program offers staff support and adaptation resources during the exchange. The main aim is to promote cultural learning through homestay and school-based experiences.
12. High School Exchange Programs for American Students – International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES)
Location: Select countries in Asia, Europe, and Latin America
Eligibility: Generally ages 15–19 with a minimum GPA of 2.4
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies
Program Dates: Short-term and long-term options
Cost/Stipend: Varies; discounts for families who have hosted ICES students
ICES enables you to select both the destination and program duration to attend a local school and stay with a host family, engaging in community routines. Its setup promotes consistent language practice through everyday interactions and scheduled lessons. Activities outside school help you build familiarity with cultural norms. Short-term and long-term options allow you to customize the experience based on your schedule. These programs focus on language development through consistent interaction in school and community activities.
13. Rotary Youth Exchange – Rotary International
Location: Varies by local Rotary club
Eligibility: Students ages 15–19
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies
Program Dates: Long-term (one academic year) or short-term (up to three months)
Cost/Stipend: Room and board covered; travel and personal expenses not included
Rotary Youth Exchange connects you with a host club that arranges your placement abroad. You live with one or more host families and attend a local school. The program’s structure is guided by local Rotary volunteers who coordinate activities and support. Community involvement is a regular part of the schedule, and expectations vary by club. Short- and long-term programs follow different formats based on duration, with each placement reflecting local Rotary goals and focusing on adapting to a new cultural and educational environment.
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