15 Summer Programs for High School Students Abroad
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you are a high school student looking to challenge yourself and experience new learning environments before college, a summer program abroad can be the right next step. These programs allow you to experience different cultures for a few weeks and help you pick up skills faster than a high school classroom could. Living and studying in another country can also help you develop independence, adaptability, and confidence as you learn to navigate new surroundings and experiences.
Why should you attend a program abroad in the summer?
Attending a summer program abroad allows you to meet people from different backgrounds and learn expand your perspective. You’ll have opportunities to discover new academic interests, practice language and communication skills, and take part in activities that expand your understanding of global issues.
To help you with your search, here is a list of 15 summer programs for high school students abroad.
Location: Varies by language (includes countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East)
Cost: Fully funded by the U.S. Department of State
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; thousands apply each year
Dates: Six to seven weeks between mid-June and early August
Application deadline: November 12
Eligibility: U.S. high school students, ages 15–18
The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Summer Abroad program is a fully funded, intensive language-immersion opportunity for high school students to study a critical language abroad. You will spend six to seven weeks living in a foreign country with a host family or in supervised dorm housing, participating in at least 120 hours of structured language classes. Cultural excursions, local activities, and peer language partnerships will help reinforce your skills outside the classroom. You will also act as a citizen diplomat, engaging with your host community and representing American youth abroad. Languages offered include Arabic, Chinese, Korean, and Russian, and no prior experience is required to apply.
Location: Various sites, including London, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Tokyo
Cost: Varies according to program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students, ages 13 – 18
The Academic Insights Program allows high school students to experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7 to 10 students, and learn from tutors from top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, including architecture, AI, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, and philosophy. The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning, so you may conduct dissections in medicine, design a robotic arm in engineering, participate in a moot court for law, or build creative writing portfolios and business case studies. At the end of the program, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback along with a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Expeditions in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Central Asia, and New Zealand
Cost: Free; travel to expedition starting point not included (fundraising assistance available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small teams of ~9 participants
Dates: Vary by location; most expeditions run during the June–August period
Application deadline: Late January – late February; exact date varies depending on branch
Eligibility: High school youth, ages ~15–18; eligibility varies by expedition and location. The program welcomes all gender-diverse youth.
Inspiring Girls Expeditions runs tuition-free summer experiences where you can explore remote landscapes while engaging in hands-on field science. You will spend 10 to 12 days in small teams, hiking glaciers, rock climbing, kayaking, or conducting scientific research, all while reflecting through artistic expression. Throughout the expedition, you will have access to the support of guides, professional scientists, and artists. These expeditions are designed to empower youth from diverse backgrounds and identities through personal growth, collaboration, and leadership development.
Location: Various British Boarding Schools in Scotland, England, and Wales
Cost: No tuition (cost covered by merit-based scholarship); travel and other costs are not mentioned.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August of the current year – July next year
Application deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens
The SSE, offered by the English-Speaking Union, is a merit-based, fully funded opportunity that allows you to spend a gap year studying at a British boarding school. The program is designed to offer full academic and cultural immersion and bridge high school and college, giving you the chance to explore new academics and social experiences within the British education system before committing to a college degree. You will attend boarding institutions like Langley School, Dollar Academy, Wells Cathedral School, or Benenden School, where you will learn alongside local students and engage in sports, clubs, and cultural activities. The program starts with a summer orientation held in the U.S., which is followed by departure to the U.K. in August/September. After this, you will begin living on campus at your assigned British school and return home the following July.
Location: Center for Hellenic Studies, Nafplio, Greece
Cost: Free for all participants (no participation fees)
Cohort size: 24 students
Dates: June 29 – July 14
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students from the Argolis and Arcadia regions in Greece, Odyssey Charter School in Delaware (USA), and the winner of the international leg of the Panhellenic Philosophical Essay Competition
Offered by Harvard’s Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece, this fully-funded summer program gives you the chance to engage with Harvard faculty and teaching fellows in a rigorous two-week seminar on social and political thought. You will explore themes like justice, social change, and the interplay of morality and politics through discussions, debates, and collaborative projects. The daily sessions are modeled after Harvard's own social studies curriculum and emphasize active participation, research, and final presentations. You will also attend a session led by the Fulbright Foundation covering U.S. higher education and college admissions. Close mentorship from Harvard undergraduates adds another layer of support as you navigate the program’s academic demands.
Location: Royal Veterinary College, London, UK
Cost: £3,700 (5002.7 USD); two merit-based full-fee waiver scholarships available for international students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 50 students/year
Dates: August 2 – 14
Application deadline: Typically, in April; applications open in January
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older
The Pre-Vet Summer School at the Royal Veterinary College is a 13-day residential program designed for students planning to study veterinary medicine. The program offers 25–30 hours of hands-on experience in animal hospitals and care facilities, including placements at Equine Referral Hospital, Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, Boltons Park Farm, and the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals. In addition to clinical exposure, the program offers access to university-level lectures at the Royal Veterinary College’s Camden and Hawkshead campuses. You will also work on a research project, build clinical skills, and work through real veterinary cases. The program assigns a Student Ambassador to offer academic support and offers access to college staff guidance on the vet school application process.
Location: Temple University Japan Campus, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Cost: 340,000 JPY (approx. $2,300 USD); early bird discount available; travel insurance and airfare not included
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 29 – August 6
Application Deadline: Rolling; registration fee due within a week of acceptance; program fee due by May 1 (March 1 for early discount)
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 18, from all nationalities; no Japanese language experience required
This summer program invites high school students from around the world to experience Japan through academic classes and cultural exploration over nine days. You will take a Japanese language course and one elective modeled after college-level instruction, while participating in field trips like an overnight excursion to Nikko and a day at DisneySea. The program emphasizes cross-cultural friendships, active learning, and urban immersion in Tokyo. Housing, meals, and daily guidance are included, with accommodations being a shared hotel setting. All instruction is in English (except for the Japanese class), making it accessible regardless of your current language ability.
Location: Seoul or Busan, South Korea
Cost: Varies by program and length; cost starts at $3,030 (Seoul) and $3,590 (Busan) for two weeks.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Language Camp in Seoul/Busan: Weekly start dates from June 29 – August 24 | Language, Culture & Excursion Camp in Seoul: Weekly start dates from July 6 – August 10
Application deadline: May 1 (Language Camp in Seoul/Busan) | May 15 (Language, Culture & Excursion Camp in Seoul)
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 17, with good academic standing and physical/mental health
ISE’s South Korea Summer Program offers high schoolers three immersive language and cultural options. The Language, Culture & Excursion Camp in Seoul combines Korean lessons with hands-on activities like K-pop dance, Taekwondo, cooking, and excursions to historical sites. The Language Camps in Seoul and Busan focus on intensive language instruction (25 hours per week) with additional afternoon programs tailored to key language skills. All options come with host family accommodations, meals, airport transfers, and comprehensive insurance. The programs offer structured, immersive summer experiences in one of Asia’s most vibrant countries.
Location: Various sites in Germany (Hanau, Gera, Borken, Kleve, Rutesheim, Heidelberg)
Cost: $4,820 + a $150 administrative fee; scholarships available for up to 50% or full cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: Multiple programs between June 8 and July 17 (dates vary by site)
Application deadline: January 19; scholarship applications due by December 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school students, ages 15 – 17, with at least two years of German language study
This three-week immersion program places you in a German high school and a host family for a full cultural and academic experience. You will attend classes with your host sibling at a local Gesamtschule or Gymnasium, engage in tailored German lessons, and participate in group excursions to regional attractions. The final week includes visits to major cultural cities like Bonn and Cologne. From the time you depart the U.S. to your return, you will be chaperoned by a qualified German teacher. The program focuses on language immersion, intercultural understanding, and real-world experience living in a German-speaking environment.
Location: Imperial College London’s South Kensington campus, London
Cost: £7,695 (10404.2 USD)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Over 550 students accepted/year
Dates: June 29 – July 10 | August 3 – 14
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or 17 years old; applicants must be under 18 years of age before and during the program and should demonstrate excellent academic ability | You can check the detailed requirements here.
Imperial College London’s Global Summer School is a two-week program designed to help you add to your STEM knowledge and skills. In the first week, you will choose from four subjects (physics, medicine and life sciences, data science and AI, chemistry, and engineering) and attend over 50 hours of academic sessions led by Imperial faculty. The second week features an Innovation Challenge, where you will collaborate with students from different disciplines to solve real-world problems under the guidance of experts from the Imperial Enterprise Lab. This challenge can help you develop teamwork, communication, and presentation skills. You will also live in Imperial College’s residence halls, getting a taste of university life.
Location: Various sites, including Rome, Italy; Dublin and Connemara, Ireland; London, UK; and various cities in South Africa
Cost: $8,750 (Italy, Ireland, or London) | $10,450 (South Africa); does not include airfare for most locations; $75 application fee and $2,000 deposit required
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 18 students/site
Dates: June 6 – 20 (Italy) | July 5 – 19 (London) | July 18 – August 2 (Ireland/South Africa)
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, ages 16 and up, with strong academics and extracurriculars; valid passports are required.
Notre Dame’s Study Abroad Pre-College Programs offer high schoolers the chance to explore global cultures through immersive, faculty-led seminars in Italy, Ireland, South Africa, and London. Each program runs for two weeks, combining academic coursework with site visits, cultural excursions, and reflective learning. You may study Rome’s architectural history, examine race and social justice in South Africa, explore imperial power and culture in London, or engage with Irish heritage from Dublin to Connemara. Instruction is delivered by Notre Dame faculty. You may earn one transferable college credit upon program completion.
Location: 35+ countries worldwide
Cost: Varies by destination and duration; includes host family, school enrollment, meals, support, and travel expenses; scholarships and $1,000 legacy grants are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by program
Dates: Summer, semester, and academic year sessions available
Application deadline: Rolling until programs fill
Eligibility: U.S. high school students; age and other criteria vary by country and program
With YFU, you can study abroad in any of over 35 countries through summer, semester, or full academic year programs designed for high school students. You will live with a host family, immerse yourself in a new culture, and attend school (if you choose longer programs), gaining a valuable global perspective in the process. YFU offers support throughout the program, from pre-departure orientation to 24/7 emergency assistance while abroad. This can be an opportunity to build your language skills, boost your college applications, or simply explore the world.
Location: Various small and medium-sized towns across England
Cost: Academic UK Term: $15,660 | Academic Semester: $17,510 | Academic Year: $26,990
Application deadline: Spring: September 15 | Fall: March 15
Program dates: Term: Over three months; Semester: Four to six months; Academic Year: September–May; exact dates vary by host school placement
Eligibility: U.S. or Canadian high school students, ages 16 and 17, with a minimum GPA of 2.75/4.0; check other eligibility details here.
Greenheart Travel offers high schoolers in the U.S. and Canada academic and cultural exchange experiences in England. As a participant, you will live with host families in England while attending local schools in a small or medium-sized town. The program offers flexible commitment options, allowing you to choose between a term, a semester, or a full academic year. You can indicate your preferences for the courses or fields you want to explore while in England; however, the host school will set the curriculum for you. Greenheart also typically offers information about the general curriculum common for your age level in England.
Location: American University in Dubai, Dubai
Cost: Early Bird Registration (before April 10): AED 5,000 (1,361 USD) | Regular Registration (before May 29): AED 6,000 (1633.7 USD)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 12
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open on January 12
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 10 and 11 (Years 11 and 12)
At the AUD Summer Camp, you will spend a week on the American University in Dubai campus, engaging in hands‑on classes, workshops, and excursions that blend academic exploration with cultural experiences across Dubai. You will choose from tracks like Tech Pioneers, where you will explore robotics, AI, game design, and VR with collaborative projects and creative problem‑solving, or Psychology of Media, where you will study how media shapes society and practice designing engaging content. Through modules and social activities, you will build skills in leadership, communication, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary innovation while connecting with peers from around the world.
Location: King’s College London campus, London, UK
Cost: Starting at £3,730 (5048.28 USD) + application fee of £60 (81.2 USD)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; 1,500 students from over 70 countries
Dates: Session 1: July 6 – 10 | Session 2: July 13 – 17 | Session 3: July 20 – 24 | Session 4: July 27 – 31
Application deadline: April 10
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or 17 years old
This program offers high school students a chance to explore various academic disciplines through one-week courses, with the option to attend for up to four weeks of classes at King’s College London campus. You can choose multiple courses across subjects, including engineering, computer science, business, law, medicine, international relations, psychology, and media. The curriculum combines lectures, seminars, discussions, simulations, and guest speaker sessions. Assignments mirror university-level assessments, and you will receive personalized feedback during the program. You will also receive a Certificate of Completion upon successful completion of the coursework.
One other option—Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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