If you’re a high school student interested in exploring the world while learning something new, summer abroad programs can be an unforgettable way to spend your break. These programs combine academics, cultural immersion, travel, and personal growth. They give students the opportunity to experience life in another country while building valuable skills for the future.

Imagine spending your summer studying in cities like London, Tokyo, Barcelona, or Sydney while meeting students from around the world. Picture attending classes during the day, exploring historic landmarks, trying new foods, and learning directly from local cultures. Summer abroad programs for high school students go beyond traditional travel experiences by combining education with real-world global exposure.

How do you choose the right summer abroad programs for high school students?

With so many opportunities available, it’s important to look for programs that balance academics, cultural immersion, and student support. Some programs focus on language learning, while others emphasize leadership, STEM, business, creative arts, or environmental science.

Across these programs, students may take part in workshops, language classes, research projects, excursions, volunteer activities, and group discussions. You might conduct marine biology fieldwork, participate in cultural exchanges, improve language fluency, or explore global issues through project-based learning.

You’ll learn from instructors, mentors, and local communities while building independence, adaptability, communication skills, and global awareness. Along the way, you’ll gain confidence, develop lifelong friendships, and experience what it’s like to learn in an international environment.

To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 Summer Abroad Programs for High School Students. They’ve been selected for their academic quality, cultural immersion opportunities, and ability to provide meaningful global experiences.

For related opportunities, have a look at the online research program.

15 Summer Abroad Programs for High School Students

1. Harvard High School Summer Program in Greece

Location: Center for Hellenic Studies, Nafplio, Greece
Cost: Free for all participants; no participation fees
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 24 students
Application Deadline: March 31st
Dates: June 29th – July 14th
Eligibility: High school students from the Argolis and Arcadia regions in Greece, Odyssey Charter School in Delaware, USA, and the winner of the international leg of the Panhellenic Philosophical Essay Competition

Hosted by the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies, this fully funded summer program takes place in Greece and focuses on social and political thought. Over two weeks, you’ll work with faculty and teaching fellows to examine topics such as justice, social change, and the relationship between ethics and politics. The program is discussion-based, with an emphasis on close reading, debate, and collaborative work, reflecting the structure of Harvard’s social studies curriculum. 

You’ll also complete a final presentation based on your research, and attend a session by the Fulbright Foundation that introduces U.S. higher education and admissions. Throughout the program, Harvard undergraduate mentors provide academic guidance and support.

Why it stands out: Focuses on discussion-driven learning in social and political theory within a fully funded, small-group setting.

2. Immerse Education’s Pre-University Summer School

Location: Cambridge, London, Oxford, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small cohorts of around 7 participants per class
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

As one of the more academically immersive summer abroad programs for high school students, Immerse Education’s Pre-University Summer School lets you experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7–10, learning from tutors from top universities like Oxford and Cambridge while exploring over 20 subjects, including Architecture, AI, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Philosophy, and more.

The courses are experiential and hands-on :  you may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: You’ll study under expert academics, be guided daily by a university student mentor, complete a project you can show in future applications, and experience genuine university college life.

3. University of Oxford – Saïd Business School Teen Technology & Innovation Summer Academy

Location: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, UK
Cost: £8,995, approximately $11,244, for the all-inclusive 14-day residential programme; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions; early application is strongly encouraged as space is limited
Dates: 2 weeks long, starting July 18th
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18; open to international students; recommended English proficiency of at least B2, upper-intermediate, on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

This program introduces you to how technology, business, and entrepreneurship intersect, set within the academic setting of Oxford. You’ll learn from faculty and professionals as you examine how technological developments influence markets and decision-making.

Through guided sessions and group work, you’ll build skills in analysis and structured problem-solving. The curriculum also covers topics such as venture capital, intellectual property, and business strategy, which you’ll apply in a team project to develop and present a technology-focused business idea.

Why it stands out: Combines core business concepts with practical application through a collaborative tech-focused project.

4. TED Summer School

Location: London, New York, Singapore, or Online
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small groups of around 7 participants per class
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; places are limited
Dates: Summer 2026, with multiple two-week sessions across locations and formats
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18; 14-18 for the virtual programme; strong English proficiency recommended; open to international students

The TED Summer School is a two-week program focused on public speaking, communication, and leadership. You’ll work in small groups with tutors to explore how to shape and express ideas clearly. The sessions guide you through frameworks for developing an idea, structuring a narrative, and presenting it effectively. 

Through practice and feedback, you’ll refine your communication skills and build confidence in speaking. By the end of the program, you’ll deliver a recorded TED-style talk, along with receiving individual feedback and a certificate.

Why it stands out: Centers on turning your own ideas into a structured, recorded talk with guided feedback.

5. Imperial Global Summer School

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
Cost/Stipend: £7,695
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application Deadline: Applications open in January
Dates: June 29th – July 10th or August 3-14
Eligibility: Domestic and international students aged 16-17 with strong academic ability and English proficiency

The Imperial College London Global Summer School is a two-week academic program held on its South Kensington campus. In the first week, you focus on a subject area such as chemistry, engineering, physics, medicine and life sciences, or data science and AI. 

You’ll attend lectures, take part in lab sessions, and engage in practical workshops led by university faculty. In the second week, you work with students from different subject tracks in an Innovation Challenge run by the Imperial Enterprise Lab, where you collaborate in teams to develop solutions to a real-world problem.

Why it stands out: Combines subject-specific study with a cross-disciplinary team challenge focused on real-world applications.

6. University of Toronto DEEP Summer Academy

Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: Domestic students: CAD$732/week; international students: CAD$1,111/week; separate fees for residential option; bursaries may be available; check application fee here and residence fee details here
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Application Deadline: March 23rd, tentative; applications typically open on March 3rd
Dates: July 6-10, Session A; July 13-17, Session B; July 20-24, Session C; July 27-31, Session D
Eligibility: Grades 9-12; must have completed at least one year of high school; open to domestic and international students; check all requirements here

The University of Toronto DEEP Summer Academy is structured as a series of one-week modules, each centered on a specific area of engineering. You can choose sessions based on your interests and attend multiple weeks to explore different topics. The content varies by grade level — for example, senior students may work on robotics or materials science, while younger students are introduced to areas like optics or artificial intelligence.

Sessions are taught by undergraduate and graduate students, so you’re learning from individuals who are actively studying and working in these fields. Each module combines core concepts with hands-on lab work or design tasks, allowing you to apply what you learn as you go. By the end of the week, you’ll have developed a focused understanding of one subject area rather than covering multiple topics at a surface level.

Why it stands out: Offers short, focused modules that let you explore different engineering fields through hands-on work.

7. Temple University Japan – High School Summer Program

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited to ~50 students
Cost: 340,000 JPY (additional 20,000 JPY registration fee applies)
Application Deadline: Mid-May
Dates: July 29th – August 6th
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12, with both domestic and international students welcome

Based in Tokyo, Temple University Japan offers a summer program at an American-accredited university in Asia. You can choose from subject areas such as international business, art, or international affairs, with a mix of classroom instruction and visits to different parts of the city. 

The program introduces you to university-style learning through lectures led by faculty, along with opportunities to interact with current students. It also gives you a way to experience living in Japan while studying in an English-language academic setting.

Why it stands out: Provides a university experience in Tokyo within an English-language academic environment.

8. King’s College London: Pre-University Summer School

Location: King’s College London, Strand Campus, London, UK
Cost: £3,195 for one week; £6,180 for two weeks; £9,375 for three weeks; £1,200–£2,400 for English Language & Culture courses; Application fee: £65(non refundable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrolment
Application Deadline: April 10th
Dates: July 6-10; July 13-17; July 20-24; July 27-31
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 16-17 in their final three years of high school; must meet English proficiency requirements

The King’s College London Pre-University Summer School offers short, university-style courses in subjects such as science, technology, medicine, psychology, neuroscience, and computer science. You can enroll in one-week modules and combine them over two or three weeks based on your interests.

Teaching is led by university faculty through a mix of lectures, seminars, and discussions. You’ll complete assignments during the course and receive written feedback from tutors. The program follows a structured schedule with required attendance, giving you a sense of how academic expectations are set at a UK university. A certificate is awarded upon completion.

Why it stands out: Emphasizes structured coursework and feedback across flexible, short-term subject modules.

9. International Student Exchange in South Korea

Location: Seoul or Busan, South Korea
Cost: Varies by program and length; cost starts at $3,030 (Seoul) and $3,590 (Busan) for two weeks.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: May 1st (Language Camp in Seoul/Busan) | May 15th (Language, Culture & Excursion Camp in Seoul)
Dates: Language Camp in Seoul/Busan: Weekly start dates from June 29th – August 24th | Language, Culture & Excursion Camp in Seoul: Weekly start dates from July 6th – August 10th
Eligibility: Students, ages 13-17, with good academic standing and physical/mental health. Open to international students

The South Korea Summer Program by ISE offers several options focused on language learning and cultural exposure. You can choose a program in Seoul that combines Korean language classes with activities such as dance, martial arts, cooking, and visits to cultural sites. There are also more intensive language-focused options in Seoul and Busan, with a higher number of weekly instruction hours and additional sessions aimed at building specific language skills.

Across all options, you’ll stay with a host family and have a structured schedule that includes classes, activities, and local travel. Meals, airport transfers, and insurance are included as part of the program.

Why it stands out: Combines structured language learning with daily life in a host family setting.

10. American Association of Teachers of German Summer Study Program

Location: Various sites in Germany (Hanau, Gera, Borken, Kleve, Rutesheim, Heidelberg)
Cost: $4,820 + a $150 administrative fee; scholarships available for up to 50% or full cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Application deadline: January 19th; scholarship applications due by December 15th
Dates: Multiple programs between June 8th – July 17th (dates vary by site)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students, ages 15-17, with at least two years of German language study

This three-week program places you in a German high school and a host family, giving you a direct experience of daily academic and cultural life. You’ll attend classes alongside your host sibling at a local school, such as a Gymnasium or Gesamtschule, while also taking structured German language lessons. The program includes group excursions to nearby sites, with the final week featuring visits to cities like Bonn and Cologne.

Throughout your stay, you’ll be supported by a supervising teacher, from departure through return. The focus is on building language skills, understanding cultural differences, and adapting to everyday life in a German-speaking environment.

Why it stands out: Integrates school attendance, host family living, and travel into a single continuous immersion experience.

11. University of Toronto’s CREATE: Engineering Design Challenges

Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, ON
Cost: Domestic students: CAD$732/week | International students: CAD$1,111/week; separate fees for residential option; bursaries may be available (check application fee here and residence fee details here)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Application Deadline: March 23rd (tentative; applications typically open on March 3rd)
Dates: July 6th – August 21st (one-week courses); check course sessions here
Eligibility: Grades 9-12; must have completed at least one year of high school (check all requirements here). Open to international students

The CREATE program at the University of Toronto is built around short, one-week engineering design courses. You choose a course based on your grade level and interests, then spend the week working through a defined design challenge. The process involves identifying the problem, developing and testing ideas, and creating a final solution that you present at the end of the week.

Course topics vary by level — such as product design or biomedical devices for younger students, and areas like virtual reality or chemical systems for older students. Each week is structured around producing a tangible outcome rather than focusing only on theory.

Why it stands out: Centers each short course on solving a design challenge that ends with a finished project.

12. The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Vocational Scholarship

Location: Multiple locations in Germany
Cost: Free; small stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Over 300 American students selected
Application Deadline: December 15th
Dates: August – June the following year
Eligibility: Current high school seniors; Minimum GPA of 2.5; Must be a U.S. citizen; Some knowledge of German is preferred but not required

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Vocational Scholarship is a fully funded, year-long program for high school seniors that focuses on vocational training in Germany. You can study areas such as veterinary science, information technology, or engineering, combining classroom instruction at a vocational school with practical training.

You live with a host family and take part in one or more internships related to your field of study. Alongside technical training, the program includes seminars on German history, politics, and society, with organized visits to cities such as Weimar and Berlin. You also have opportunities to meet officials from both the U.S. and German governments as part of the exchange experience.

Why it stands out: Combines vocational study with long-term internships and cultural immersion in a structured exchange setting.

13. HEC Paris – Youth Leadership Initiative

Location: Paris (Jouy-en-Josas campus), France
Cost: €1,950
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Dates: July 6-10
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18. Open to international students

Hosted by HEC Paris, this residential program introduces you to core concepts in leadership and management. You take part in modules that focus on communication, working in teams, and organizing projects, delivered through a mix of lectures, workshops, and group activities.

You also engage in practical exercises, including collaborative tasks and outdoor team-based challenges, to apply what you learn in different settings. Living on campus gives you a structured environment where you interact with other students from different countries and get a sense of how business education is taught at a European institution.

Why it stands out: Combines leadership training with a residential campus experience in a business school setting.

14. University of Notre Dame Study Abroad Pre-College Programs

Location: Various sites, including Rome, Italy; Dublin and Connemara, Ireland; London, UK; and various cities in South Africa
Cost: $8,750 (Italy, Ireland, or London) | $10,450 (South Africa); does not include airfare for most locations; $75 application fee and $2,000 deposit required
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 18 students/site
Application deadline: January 21st
Dates: June 6-20 (Italy) | July 5-19 (London) | July 18th – August 2nd (Ireland/South Africa)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, ages 16 and up, with strong academics and extracurriculars; valid passports are required. Open to international students

The University of Notre Dame Study Abroad Pre-College Programs give you the opportunity to take part in short, faculty-led academic courses in locations such as Italy, Ireland, South Africa, and London. Each program runs for about two weeks and combines classroom sessions with visits to relevant historical and cultural sites.

You might study topics like Roman architecture, social and racial dynamics in South Africa, imperial history in London, or Irish cultural traditions across different regions. Courses are taught by Notre Dame faculty and include both academic work and guided reflection. In some cases, you can also earn transferable college credit after completion.

Why it stands out: Links academic seminars with place-based learning across multiple international locations.

15. The University of Sydney’s International Science School

Location: The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
Cost/Stipend: Not publicly available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 110 students; About 70 seats are reserved for Australian students studying in Australia
Application Deadline: Opens early
Dates: July 6-19
Eligibility: 11th and 12th graders around the world

With a curriculum that is entirely built for high school students who enjoy learning science, you will participate in various hands-on workshops and activities in this program. Through these experiments, you will develop an understanding of scientific concepts that go beyond the high school syllabus.

Some of the standout events at the ISS include the  University of Newcastle’s Science & Engineering Challenge, the Ethics and Leadership Workshops, the opportunity to get an inside look at maintaining The University of Sydney’s museum collection, and more.

Why it stands out: ISS participants have the chance to meet famous scientists and tour some advanced research premises. 

Turn Summer Abroad Into Study Abroad Clarity

Summer abroad can make future study feel less abstract, especially when you learn in places like London, Tokyo, Sydney, Toronto, or Paris.

These 15 summer abroad programs for high school students help you test subjects, cultures, languages, and campus environments before making bigger academic decisions.

Through host families, university classes, design challenges, cultural excursions, and international peers, you start seeing which destinations and learning styles suit you.

Ready to turn one summer abroad experience into a smarter study plan? Explore our Study Abroad blogs for destinations, subject choices, and applications across Oxbridge, the Ivy League, Japan, Australia, and Singapore.