How Spending a Semester of High School Abroad Prepares You for College Admission
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You’re getting ready to start on the competitive college admissions process, a daunting prospect for many students! To truly stand out as a college applicant, it’s important to showcase experiences beyond just strong academics and extracurriculars—experiences that demonstrate your unique perspective and readiness for higher education.
Consider this: Only a small fraction of U.S. high school students— just 2%! —choose to participate in high school study abroad programs. Of that 2%, an even smaller percentage participate in a longer-term program (3+ months) during high school.
Participating in a CIEE High School Semester Abroad program will immediately set you apart from most applicants, while allowing you to have an experience that you will remember for a lifetime!
Read on to find out more about how a CIEE high school trimester, semester, or academic year abroad prepares you for college admissions.
What Does It Mean to Study Abroad for a Trimester, Semester, or Academic Year in High School?
Imagine stepping into the shoes of a local high school student in another country. That’s the reality of a CIEE High School Semester Abroad program—you'll spend a trimester, semester or academic year in another country living life just like a local high school student.
This immersive experience includes living with a carefully-selected host family, attending classes at a local high school, and developing friendships with other students from your host country. Your program also includes a variety of enriching cultural excursions and activities designed to deepen your understanding of your host culture.
After you return home, you’ll carry with you not only incredible memories of your experience, but also compelling experiences to share with college admissions officers as you apply to your dream schools.
Hear directly from students on a high school semester abroad program by tuning into Out of Your Comfort Zone podcast episode: How to Study Abroad in High School for 3+ Months!
Why Colleges Care About Studying Abroad
Colleges care about international education—it's a cornerstone of the modern higher education experience. It’s why so many of them partner with program providers, like CIEE, to not only provide opportunities for their students to go abroad but also enrich their campuses with more globally aware individuals.
As the world becomes increasingly more interconnected, colleges seek to admit students who can demonstrate their knowledge of the world at large. A CIEE High School Semester Abroad program offers precisely this kind of immersive experience, making you a truly standout candidate.
Applying to Your Dream College
As you prepare your college applications, remember the power of authentic experiences. Instead of turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to generate a generic essay, you’ll be able to highlight your unique journey abroad and the valuable qualities you’ve developed.
Here’s how your CIEE High School Semester Abroad program can make you a strong applicant:
- Your success in a new and different academic environment demonstrates desirable academic skills, including strong study habits, time management skills, and remarkable adaptability—qualities that will allow you to thrive in your college career.
- The included cultural excursions and activities on your CIEE High School Semester Abroad program will help you develop beneficial skills like enhanced problem solving, leadership, and intercultural communication—skills that are highly sought after by colleges looking for well-rounded and capable students.
- You’re going to meet a lot of different people from all over the world on your CIEE program. With that comes a deeper global perspective from learning about other cultures, their history, and ways of life. It also nurtures a global network for you to use for references and future job opportunities.
Benefits That Come After Your High School Abroad Program
When you become an alumnus of a CIEE High School Semester Abroad program, you gain access to CIEE College Access, a dedicated college planning resource created by CIEE in partnership with leading colleges and universities. The best part? CIEE College Access is included with your CIEE experience at no additional cost.
What College Planning Support Is Available to You?
As a CIEE High School Semester Abroad Alum, you'll get to:
- Connect directly with admissions officers from top colleges and universities.
- Access interactive virtual workshops and Q&A sessions led by experts.
- Gain insights on the college application process, financial aid, and scholarships.
- Strengthen your college applications with standout international experience.
How to Study Abroad in High School and Prepare for College
Explore the world, and your future self will thank you!
Attending a high school abroad offers a great opportunity for personal growth, skill development, and the chance to demonstrate your global readiness to your dream college and universities.
Check out our High School Semester Abroad programs to learn more about trimester, semester, and academic year programs and secure your spot on a CIEE program.