What High School Teachers Can Gain from Visiting a CIEE Summer Abroad Program

You’re no doubt familiar with the numerous benefits that study abroad provides students, but did you know that high school teachers also have a lot to gain from study abroad?  

That's not only through the positive impact it can have on your students and your classroom but also on you personally! For those eligible, CIEE offers U.S. high school teachers the chance to visit a high school summer program abroad to learn more about it firsthand.   

What Are CIEE High School Summer Abroad Programs? 

CIEE high school summer abroad opens the world to young students through travel and educational programs that promote cultural immersion and focus on language learning and/or hands-on experience on important topics like Arts, Service-Learning or STEM. Every program is academically focused and planned around leading U.S.-based learning standards.  

Here’s what teachers can gain from visiting a high school summer abroad program: 

1. Free Travel Experience  

This is one of the most exciting and cost-effective travel opportunities for teachers and educators. That’s because CIEE provides participating teachers with all that’s needed to travel abroad including flights, hotel stays and meals. On top of handling the logistics, CIEE takes teachers on fun activities and cultural excursions similar to those run on each program. This allows you to get a better idea of the experiences students will have while enjoying a bit of travel. 

2. Cultural Immersion 

Free travel aside, the cultural immersion teachers get to experience is one of the most valuable aspects of these trips. Explore historical landmarks and tie it into how that history has shaped the ways local communities live. Get an idea of the important part cultural immersion plays in language learning and how the two exist side by side. You’ll return home with a better understanding of how exposure to new cultures and different points of view can shape your students’ worldview for the better.  

3. Improved Study Abroad Advocacy 

This opportunity isn’t just summer travel for teachers but a chance to put yourself in your student’s shoes while studying abroad.  

For example, teachers have the chance to: 

• Sit in classes led by local teachers and engage with international learning strategies  
• Go on cultural excursions and attend community events  
• See what the homestay experience is like for participants  

You’ll come home better equipped to guide high school students who wish to study abroad through what it entails and what they can expect.  

4. Firsthand Experience of the Benefits of Study Abroad 

It’s one thing to simply recite the benefits of studying abroad, it’s another to personally understand them. From improving language abilities to gaining a global perspective and the confidence boost to boot, there’s a lot to gain for people of all ages, let alone high schoolers, on a study abroad program!  

5. Professional Development and Networking 

While abroad, you’ll also have the unique chance for professional development. Travel abroad with other educators passionate about collaborating and exchanging ideas on global education. Reflect with your peers on how engaging with a local community helps young students become more open-minded and confident while they apply lessons from the classroom in the real world.  

Teachers who are very passionate about studying abroad can even become a Program Leader over the summer! This experience pays teachers, coaches, and other professionals for their time and opens the doors to experiential learning training and additional professional development.  

How Do High School Teachers Become Eligible to Visit a CIEE Summer Abroad Program? 

For teachers to be eligible to visit a CIEE summer abroad program, their high school must have a minimum of 10 students traveling on a high school summer abroad program with CIEE. CIEE’s complimentary teacher-focused trips are one week long and have been hosted in various places like Rome, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Rabat, and Merida. 

See for Yourself How CIEE Summer Abroad Enriches Students’ High School Experience 

Inspire your students to explore the world by experiencing it yourself! CIEE offers U.S. teachers the opportunity to travel abroad through our high school summer abroad programs. Gain firsthand insight into the transformative power of study abroad and bring that knowledge back to your classroom. Outside of lived experience, CIEE equips you with the resources to effectively share more information about our programs with your students. Learn more about how you can promote high school study abroad today!