What to Expect from a High School Summer Abroad Business Program

Imagine spending your summer exploring the world, learning from real entrepreneurs what it takes to succeed in business, and making new friendships and connections that last a lifetime.  

With a CIEE High School Summer Abroad Business Program, you can have it all!  

CIEE's summer business programs blend classroom learning with real-world experiences rooted in the vibrant business landscape of international cities like Berlin, Dublin, Singapore and more. You'll have daily classes, meet local business owners, marketers, and entrepreneurs, create your own business plan and prototype, and pitch it to a panel. 

Beyond unforgettable memories, you’ll walk away with a standout portfolio and international business connections that set you apart—whether you’re applying to college, internships, or even your first job. 

Ready to learn more? Here are some of the general highlights of CIEE's High School Summer Abroad Business Programs—what you'll learn, program outcomes, excursions, and all the logistics you need to know. 

Classroom and Hands-on Learning Through Cultural Immersion 

These summer programs for high school students are more than just a business course—they are a complete cultural and educational experience!  

Let's walk through the structure of a typical day and then an overview of the course curriculum. 

A Day in the Life 

Here's what a typical day may look like on a CIEE High School Summer Business Program: 

• Wake Up in Shared Living Space: Start your day in your dorm, hostel, or hotel—depending on your program location—and get energized for what's ahead. 
• Breakfast with Your Cohort: Share a morning meal with your friends, discuss the day's plans, and get pumped for your classes and activities. 
• Classroom Learning: Dive into business theory with an expert instructor. You may work through case studies, discuss challenges, and brainstorm creative business solutions in small groups. 
• Lunch Break: Use your meal stipend to grab lunch at a local café or restaurant. Try the local cuisine, explore new options, or just enjoy a quick bite together! 
• Co-Curricular Activities: Head out to explore the community. Visit a startup incubator, meet with local entrepreneurs, or tour an established business to see the concepts you've studied in action. 
• Debrief and Reflect: Back at your accommodation, discuss what you've learned and how it connects to your own business ideas. 
• Shared Dinner: Join your cohort for a shared meal in the common area or at a local restaurant to talk about the day's experiences. 
• Relax and Unwind: Hang out with your friends, catch up on journaling, or explore the neighborhood. Be back at your accommodation by the time set for evening check-in before winding down and getting ready for the next exciting day! 

What You'll Learn  

In CIEE’s international entrepreneurship summer courses, you’ll build a strong foundation in business knowledge and gain practical skills that can be applied in the real world. Depending on the program you choose, learning outcomes may include: 

• Understanding the importance of entrepreneurship and social enterprise in creating positive change. 
• Applying business tools and concepts like design thinking and lean startup methodology. 
• Conducting customer research to identify target markets and evaluate competition. 
• Creating a SWOT analysis to assess business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. 
• Developing a comprehensive business plan, including startup costs and potential revenue. 
• Proposing a marketing strategy that incorporates social media and branding techniques. 
• Planning and delivering a visual, engaging entrepreneurial proposal. 

Each day begins with classroom sessions where your course instructor teaches core business concepts, theories, and practical tools and strategies. You’ll work in teams to brainstorm and develop a business idea, create a prototype, and prepare a pitch. By the end of the program, you and your group will have collaborated on a project that showcases your new skills and creativity. 

In the afternoons, you’ll head out into the community to see concepts from the classroom in action. Guided by your Program Leaders, you may visit local businesses, meet with entrepreneurs, and explore startups to get a firsthand look at how companies are built and managed. Each outing is designed to help you apply what you’ve learned in class and see how businesses operate in the local context—giving you valuable insights and a deeper understanding of global business practices and dynamics. 

Explore the Local Culture and History on Weekend Excursions 

You'll have the chance to explore beyond your classroom and immerse yourself in your host country's rich culture, history, and traditions. Weekends are reserved for exciting excursions to nearby cities, historic sites, and cultural landmarks. 

For example, you might spend a weekend visiting the local capital city known for its artistic legacy, exploring its beautiful architecture, and learning about its role in shaping local culture. You could walk through streets steeped in history, visit renowned museums, or even see firsthand the places that inspired famous works of art. Each destination offers something unique, from vibrant cultural centers and architectural wonders to sites that played a key role in social and political change. Your business ideas are sure to be sparked by these unique experiences and the inspiration they provide! 

Accommodations, Transportation, and Safety on Business Programs 

CIEE's High School Summer Abroad Business Programs are designed to provide a safe, immersive, and enriching experience. Here's a quick look at the program logistics.  

Accommodations 

Depending on your program location, you'll stay in shared living spaces—whether a dorm, hostel, or hotel. You'll always be with your cohort, making bonding and building friendships outside of the classroom easy. 

Transportation 

You'll get around like a local, using public transportation such as buses, trams, or metros. Private transportation is sometimes arranged for excursions or special events to ensure smooth and comfortable travel. All flights, including from the US to the international location, have a program chaperone.  

Safety and Support 

Your safety is CIEE's top priority. The program includes 24/7 on-site support with staff who have long-standing local relationships. Each group is accompanied by one CIEE Program Leader for approximately every 12 students to provide guidance, support, and help connect concepts students learn in the classroom with their new surroundings.  

Students are never alone; during “free time,” they are required to always stay with at least one other Global Navigator, keep their phones charged, and check in at their accommodations with their Program Leader by a set curfew time every night.  

In addition, the program provides comprehensive medical and travel insurance, covering any accidents or illnesses that may occur. Learn more about CIEE safety protocols.  

With these measures in place, you can focus on learning, exploring, and making the most of your business summer abroad! 

Launch Your Best Summer Ever 

Why spend your summer doing the usual when you could be exploring a new city, building business skills, and making lifelong connections?  

CIEE's High School Summer Abroad Business Programs focus on entrepreneurial skills for teens. They let you gain real-world experience and pitch your business ideas—all while having a blast. Collaborate, sharpen your business savvy, and return home with new friends, greater confidence, and a project that sets you apart.  

Ready to make next summer unforgettable? Check out our summer abroad business programs for teens, and start planning your business adventure today!