How to Talk to My U.S. High School About Credits Earned Abroad

If you are preparing to study abroad in high school for a semester or an academic year, don't forget about one critical step—determining with  your U.S. high school if you can transfer credit from your time abroad. 

Credit transfer is up to your high school in the U.S., but by taking an active role in your course credit transfer, you can have a plan in place so you can fully enjoy your time abroad. It's important to note that while you will attend a high school when you study abroad, U.S. high school’s graduation requirements may differ. This can make course credit transfer a bit of a puzzle, with potential challenges such as differences in curriculum and credit systems. It’s also important to be aware that CIEE cannot guarantee that your courses will transfer back to your current high school.  

This blog is here to help you think through the steps you will need to take to determine the arrangements that will need to be made with your school.  

1. Meet With Your High School Counselor 

There's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to course credit transfer. When meeting with your counselor, make sure you discuss these three things: 

• Your U.S. home school's graduation requirements 
• Your course history (courses and credits you have completed) and how many credits you need to graduate high school AND 
• The academic guide for your program (this will be available in your application – which you should start and review with your legal guardian BEFORE meeting with your counselor) 

Because of these unique elements, creating a custom plan just for you is essential! To do this, you must meet with officials at your home school. While you’re at it, ask your high school counselor or other school official to provide you with a current transcript and what courses and credits you will need to graduate. Your school will likely be excited about your trip abroad and ready to provide the necessary support.  

2. Understand You Will Not Have the Same Exact Courses Abroad 

Before you go abroad, understand that while in many U.S. schools, students have quite a bit of freedom when choosing courses, you will need to be quite flexible when submitting your preferences for courses in your CIEE application. The ministry or department of education in each host country sets the curricula for all students, which means your course options will be limited. 

The second thing to note is that courses will be in the host country's language. If you are not yet fluent in that language and you're worried you won't excel taking courses in a second language, we recommend speaking with a CIEE enrollment coordinator about your options. 

3. Map Out Your Academic Plan and Consider Taking Courses Before or After Your Study Abroad Program

Once you’ve met with your school and have a better understanding of your graduation requirements and which courses may be transferrable from your study abroad program, you have all the necessary information to make a solid plan! Many of our participants complete some graduation requirements, such as English and U.S. History, before or after their High School Semester Abroad program. There are also many options for taking these courses online before or after departure or even taking high school courses for college credit. Your high school counselor should be able to help with some suggestions. 

4. While Abroad, Gather the Necessary Paperwork 

Once you've settled into your courses at your high school abroad, be sure to email your class schedule to your home school. This keeps them informed and ensures you're on track. 

Toward the end of each semester, be sure to ask a school official at your host high school for a record of the courses you've taken. You won't automatically get an official transcript, so it's essential to request this information. 

5. Have an Amazing Time Studying Abroad! 

While managing your coursework is important, remember that studying abroad is about so much more than academics. This is your chance to immerse yourself in a new culture, make lifelong memories, and gain an entirely new perspective on the world.  

If you still need to choose a high school study abroad program, explore our options and find the perfect fit for your high school semester abroad adventure! 

Schedule a call with a CIEE Enrollment Coordinator who can answer any questions you have about transferring credits.