![High school student at the top of a mountain in Cape Town](/sites/default/files/styles/500x210/public/images/2023-05/high-school-student-top-of-mountain-cape-town.jpg?h=3751623b&itok=wfXs9F_u)
What to Expect
Live the life of an ordinary high school student, in a far-from-ordinary place.
On High School Semester Abroad programs, school schedules, activities, cultures, and courses are as diverse as the destinations themselves—which is all part of the adventure!
You’ll go to classes in the native language at a local high school, where you’ll likely be the only American. Living with a host family, you’ll experience the cuisine, traditions, and daily lives of the locals firsthand, every day. And even more opportunities to learn will be available to you, through organized activities and excursions planned to show you the highlights of your host country.
You can expect a life-changing experience that will improve your language skills and help develop your independence, resilience, and sense of self. Think of the unique essays you’ll be able to write for your college applications! Your time abroad will set you apart and give you an advantage over other students in the increasingly competitive college admissions race. In fact, alumni of this program have gone on to attend such prestigious universities as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Georgetown, New York University, and the University of California, Berkeley.
Check out what high school life is like in Toulouse, France with Global Navigator, Ina.
![barcelona_cultural-exchange-with-local-students.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/460w/public/images/2024-08/barcelona_cultural-exchange-with-local-students.jpg?itok=JMXvOYFe)
Local High School Placement
You’ll be placed in a reputable, well-established public or private high school where you’ll attend classes in the local language and follow the local curriculum. Walking in the shoes of a typical teen, you’ll quickly become part of the local community.
You may be the only American at the school, but you’ll make new friends and build relationships before you know it. Our alumni consistently tell us it didn’t take long to find a group of friends and bond with people they’ll stay in touch with for a lifetime. You’ll be the envy of your American buddies as you take on a high school experience you’ll cherish forever!
![hs-student-with-homestay-familly.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/460w/public/images/2024-08/hs-student-with-homestay-familly.jpg?itok=6hX7MY_Y)
Local Homestay Placement
A carefully vetted homestay family, interested in welcoming a foreign student into their home, is matched with each student. The homestay family is at the heart of any exchange, so finding the right placement for you is our priority. You and your natural family will have a chance to communicate with the homestay by phone or email prior to departure.
What will daily life be like? It depends on the country. In Spain, breakfast is likely a light course of toast with olive oil. In Japan, it might be an onigiri (a rice ball stuffed with fish, meat, or seaweed). In France, you’ll have a long lunch, followed by a leisurely break eating pastries in the park, followed by afternoon classes until 6 p.m. You might find yourself learning traditional dancing in Ireland, playing competitive football (soccer) in the U.K., or biking the cobblestoned streets of Denmark!
After school, your evenings will offer the chance to spend time with new friends or at your homestay enjoying dinner, conversation, and the rhythms of the daily routine.
Through these experiences, you’ll build a home away from home and develop relationships that endure long after finishing your High School Semester Abroad program. You’ll also come away with advanced language skills, an impressive display of initiative and independence for your college applications, and the kind of intercultural proficiency valuable in today’s global economy.
![hs-student-holding-owl.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/460w/public/images/2024-08/hs-student-holding-owl.jpg?itok=Oi9s6GMK)
Activities & Excursions
Live and breathe the local culture every day of the week. Discover your host town and region inside and out with your new local family and friends. After school, join in optional extracurricular sports and activities. On weekends, take part in organized daytrips and excursions to hike, bike, and explore historic landmarks, cultural attractions, and places of unforgettable natural beauty.
Preparing to Study Abroad
From meeting with guidance counselors to applying for visas, the study abroad planning process has many moving parts. Every school is different, but all can agree that studying abroad offers a world of experience and new learnings. This guideline details a number of important things to keep in mind and look out for, up to a year before your intended departure.
Things to Do Before Studying Abroad for a Semester
- Discuss your study abroad interests, school policies, and how to stay on track for graduation
- Research and choose the right study abroad program for you
- Apply to study abroad program
- Receive acceptance into a high school abroad program
- Apply for a visa (if necessary)
- Talk to your guidance counselor about earning credit for your program abroad
- Receive placement details
- Attend predeparture orientations
- Get answers to lingering questions
- Start getting excited!
- Pack
High School Semester Abroad Blog
Reflections Post-Program: High School Abroad in Italy
These past nine months have simultaneously been the most incredible, life-changing, and difficult months of my life. I knew I was signing up for something extraordinary even before I came... keep reading
From Arrival to Adieu: The HSA Experience
Imagine stepping off the plane into a new country, ready to explore a vibrant culture and meet friends from around the world. This is the reality for every CIEE High... keep reading
Being here in Sevilla has been an awesome challenge!
I came into the program with a relatively high level of Spanish for a non-native speaker, but I can tell that my Spanish has really improved and I feel much... keep reading
High School Semester Abroad
Register for one of our upcoming webinars to learn more about our High School Semester Abroad programs. The CIEE team will answer your questions and help you get started on the next steps towards making your study abroad dream a reality.
Differentiators
![Purple globe with marker icon](/sites/default/files/styles/360x280/public/images/2023-06/globe-with-marker-purple_0_0.png?h=c919fa4a&itok=oypyl7Qd)
Still Have Questions?
Check out our FAQ page for more information on the application, pre-departure process, costs, and more.
![Smartphone](/sites/default/files/styles/360x280/public/images/2023-06/smartphone-green_0.png?h=c919fa4a&itok=-RyrqPJk)
Further Assistance
For more help, call our team at 1-866-583-0332 or send us an email at hsabroad@ciee.org today.
![Two profiles with speech bubbles icon](/sites/default/files/styles/360x280/public/images/2023-06/chat-rio-blue_0.png?h=c919fa4a&itok=dj46w_hK)
Schedule a Call
If you want to schedule a call with a CIEE Enrollment Coordinator in your area, find a time on our bookings page.