Studying abroad during high school is an incredible opportunity to expand your horizons. By immersing yourself in a new culture and way of life, you’ll gain independence, adaptability, and a global perspective.
With so many different program types, every teen can find their perfect study abroad experience. Here are eight popular options:
Community Service & Volunteering
Make an impact by volunteering with a community organization or NGO. Work on issues like education, health, conservation and more while traveling to places like Thailand, Peru or Ghana. You’ll gain compassion while developing leadership skills.
Why should I choose this?
- Make a meaningful impact on issues you care about
- Gain compassion and leadership skills
- Immerse yourself in a new culture
What are the key points?
- Work with community organizations and NGOs
- Focus on issues like education, health, conservation
- Destinations like Thailand, Peru, Ghana
- Develop empathy and responsibility
What are the benefits?
- Help make a positive difference in the world
- Experience personal growth
- Look great on college applications
- Explore careers in nonprofits or social impact
Experiential Learning
Embark on an adventure! Try activities like backpacking, snorkeling, or rock climbing while learning about culture, science, and the environment. Experiential programs take you off the beaten path to places like the Costa Rican rainforest or Australian Outback.
Why should I choose this?
- Adventure and hands-on activities
- Active exploration of new cultures
- Learn outside of the classroom
What are the key points?
- Activities like backpacking, snorkeling, rock climbing
- Focus on culture, science, environment
- Destinations like Costa Rica, Australia, Iceland
What are the benefits?
- Gain confidence and adaptability
- Make friends from around the world
- Return home with awesome stories and photos
Language Immersion
Become fluent in Spanish, French, Mandarin or another language by taking intensive courses abroad. Immerse yourself in the culture by living with a host family, visiting local sites, and making international friends. Popular destinations include Spain, France and China.
Why should I choose this?
- Achieve fluency in a new language
- Deep cultural understanding
- Full immersion living experience
What are the key points?
- Intensive language courses
- Host family stay
- Visit cultural sites
- Make local friends
- Destinations like France, China, Argentina
What are the benefits?
- Language skills help career prospects
- Appreciation for cultural differences
- Build relationships across cultures
- Prepare for college study abroad
Student Exchange
Study at an international high school for a semester or year. Learn alongside local students your age while staying with a host family. Exchanges are offered everywhere from Italy and Germany to Ecuador and Japan.
Why should I choose this?
- Immerse in daily life as a local student
- Gain new perspectives on education
- Experience a different family dynamic
What are the key points?
- Study at an international high school
- Live with a host family
- Destinations worldwide like Italy, Ecuador, Thailand
What are the benefits?
- Improve language skills rapidly
- Make lifelong friends abroad
- Gain independence and responsibility
Outdoor Education
Combine outdoor adventures with cultural immersion. Go hiking in the Swiss Alps while learning about sustainability. Surf and snorkel in Fiji while volunteering at a marine conservation program. Outdoor education mixes exciting exploration with impactful learning.
Why should I choose this?
- Combine adventure travel and cultural exchange
- Learn hands-on about global issues
- Explore amazing destinations
What are the key points?
- Activities like hiking, surfing, snorkeling
- Focus on sustainability, conservation
- Destinations like Switzerland, Fiji, Patagonia
What are the benefits?
- Appreciation of nature and new cultures
- Physical challenge and confidence boost
- Gain knowledge and leadership skills
Gap Year
Take a semester or year to travel between high school and college. Gap year programs offer structured adventures combining service, courses, cultural immersion and more. Destinations may include multiple countries or continents.
Why should I choose this?
- Experience personal growth
- Take a break from academic pressure
- Figure out your passions and interests
What are the key points?
- Travel between high school and college
- Adventures combining service, courses, immersion
- Destinations may include multiple countries
What are the benefits?
- Learn independence and responsibility
- Self-discovery and maturity
- Return to college motivated and focused
Career Exploration
Gain hands-on experience in your future career field by interning abroad in business, engineering, healthcare and more. International professional experience will help you stand out to colleges and employers.
Why should I choose this?
- Gain international work experience
- Explore future career fields hands-on
- Develop hard and soft professional skills
What are the key points?
- Internships in business, engineering, healthcare, etc.
- Build your resume for college/career
What are the benefits?
- International experience stands out
- Make informed decisions about your future
- Expand your professional network globally
Summer Adventures
Make the most of your summer break without committing long-term. Go on a multi-country tour, language program, service expedition or another short adventure. Summer trips range from a few weeks to two months.
Why should I choose this?
- Have an international experience over summer break
- Get a taste of extended travel
- Try new activities and challenges
What are the key points?
- Shorter programs from 2 weeks to 2 months
- Tour multiple countries or try one in-depth
- Options like language learning, service projects, cultural immersion
What are the benefits?
- Adventure and fun with other high schoolers
- Explore the world without long-term commitment
- Grow more independent and self-confident
With so many diverse options, every teen can find their perfect study abroad experience. Start planning today to gain skills, perspectives and memories that will last a lifetime.