15 Summer Travel Programs for 18 Year Olds

Summer travel programs for 18 year olds offer an immersive opportunity to explore your academic interests while experiencing life on a university campus. Through hands-on learning, interactive workshops, faculty-led sessions, and collaborative projects, you’ll develop advanced skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, research, communication, and leadership.

Depending on the program, you may engage with industry-standard tools, design methodologies, or discipline-specific concepts, allowing you to build practical knowledge beyond the traditional classroom. By learning alongside like-minded peers, interacting with university faculty, and navigating campus life, you gain valuable insight into the expectations of higher education while strengthening your academic confidence and preparing for future college studies.

They can serve as a foundation for your college journey, giving you a taste of university life at a top institution in person.

What kind of summer travel programs are available for 18-year-olds?

Summer travel programs for 18-year-olds offer a range of experiences designed to foster independence, global awareness, and personal growth. Popular options typically include academic and language immersion programs, such as studying Spanish while taking on leadership roles in Costa Rica; volunteer and service-learning trips that focus on community development, childcare, or education in developing regions like Tanzania; and conservation and environmental projects, which allow teens to protect marine life in Fiji, earn dive certifications, or monitor wildlife habitats in South Africa and Bali. 

Additionally, many organizations offer adventure and gap-year expeditions that blend backpacker-style travel with outdoor leadership training and cultural exploration. Whether structured as a quick two-week summer trip or an extended multi-month journey, these programs emphasize experiential learning, giving young adults the chance to build real-world skills, travel with peers, and make a tangible impact.

To help you choose the best option, below are 15 travel programs for 18-year-olds.

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

Key takeaways

• The Parsons Paris Summer Intensive Studies costs $9,999 plus student-supplied art materials and awards three US college credits with an official New School transcript.
• Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme spans six locations, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Boston, with small classes of seven to 10 students open to students worldwide aged 13 to 18.
• NSLI For Youth Summer Abroad is completely free but highly competitive, with thousands of applicants competing for spots studying critical languages through six to seven weeks of immersion.
• The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Vocational Scholarship selects just 25 students annually for a full year combining German language study, vocational education, and workplace internships.
• UBC Future Global Leaders requires no application essays or transcripts to register, capping enrollment at 35 students with pricing separated by domestic and international status.
• The Intern Group’s NGO and Computer Science Internships in Dublin and London range from $4,017 to $22,563 depending on program length and accommodation, drawing over 2,000 participants globally each year.
• Brown Experiential Education Barcelona costs $8,270 and pairs immersive Spanish language study with an architectural history course that reads the city through 10 landmark buildings.
• Program costs for 18-year-old travel programs range from free options like NSLI-Y to over $22,563 for The Intern Group’s longest computer science internship placements.

15 Summer Travel Programs for 18 Year Olds

1. The New School/Parsons Paris – Parsons Paris Summer Intensive Studies – Pre-College

Location: Paris, France
Cost: $9,999 + roughly $400 in student-supplied art materials for studio courses
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-competitive; cohort size not stated
Dates: June 27th – July 18th
Application Deadline: May 1st
Eligibility: Ages 16-18 by the start of the course; entering junior or senior year of high school or a recent high school graduate; open to international students

In the Parsons Paris Summer Intensive Studies program, you spend three weeks studying art, design, and fashion at the Saint-Roch campus in central Paris, choosing one full-day course such as The Business of Fashion, Fashion Photography in Paris, or Portfolio Preparation for Art and Design Schools. 

You work from 9:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. on project-based studio assignments, complete daily homework, and build portfolio-ready work for college applications. Field visits to Paris luxury stores, showrooms, museums, and design studios extend the classroom into the city. You earn three U.S. college credits and an official New School transcript on completion. Hotel housing, excursions, a metro pass, and group airport transfers are included.

Why it stands out: It places you inside a French art and design campus for three weeks with housing, cultural excursions, a metro pass, and group airport transfers built into a single program fee.

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; an average of 7 participants per class
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school; open to international students

The Academic Insights Program lets high school students 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. Participants can explore 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 — with other campuses worldwide as alternatives.

3. HEC Paris  – Youth Leadership Initiative

Location: Paris (Jouy-en-Josas campus), France
Cost: €1,950 + €30 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 6-10
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18; proficient in English; open to international students

At this residential program at HEC Paris, you’ll explore the fundamentals of leadership, management, and teamwork through classroom sessions and practical activities. The curriculum covers topics such as effective communication, project planning, and collaborative decision-making, with learning taking place through lectures, workshops, and group discussions. 

You’ll also participate in team-based exercises designed to help you apply these concepts in real-world scenarios. Throughout the program, you’ll live on campus, collaborate with students from different backgrounds, and experience the academic environment of a European business school.

Why it stands out: It combines leadership and management learning with a residential business school experience.

4. 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 per site
Dates: June 6-20 (Italy); July 5-19 (London); July 18th   - August 2nd (Ireland/South Africa)
Application Deadline: January 21st
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, ages 16 and up by August 1st; strong academics and extracurriculars; valid passports are required; open to international students

As one of the more academically structured summer travel programs for 18 year olds, the University of Notre Dame Study Abroad Pre-College Programs allow you to study a focused academic subject while spending approximately two weeks abroad. Depending on the program you choose, you’ll attend faculty-led classes and examine topics connected to the history, culture, or society of countries such as Italy, Ireland, South Africa, or the United Kingdom.

Alongside classroom learning, you’ll visit museums, historical landmarks, and other sites that relate directly to your coursework, helping you connect academic concepts with their local context. Throughout the program, you’ll learn from University of Notre Dame faculty, complete course assignments, and, for select programs, have the opportunity to earn transferable college credit.

Why it stands out: It combines faculty-led coursework with location-based learning across several international destinations.

5. NSLI For Youth Summer Abroad

Location: Varies by language (includes countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East)
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; thousands apply each year
Dates: 6-7 weeks between mid-June and early August
Application Deadline: November 12th
Eligibility: U.S. high school students; U.S. citizens; ages 15-18; minimum GPA of 2.5; not open to international students

The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Summer Abroad program allows you to study a critical language through an immersive overseas experience. Over six to seven weeks, you’ll live with a host family or in supervised student housing while participating in intensive language instruction designed to strengthen your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. 

Outside the classroom, you’ll continue learning through cultural activities, community engagement, and conversations with local peers, allowing you to use the language in everyday settings. The program offers instruction in languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Korean, and Russian, and you can apply even if you have no prior experience with these languages.

Why it stands out: It combines intensive language study with full cultural immersion in an international setting.

6. The University of Edinburgh Pre-University Summer School 

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Cost: £5,250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited capacity
Dates: June 29th – July 10th
Application Deadline: May 19th
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18 in the penultimate or final year of high school; open to international students

In the University of Edinburgh Pre-University Summer School, you will experience a two-week academic taster tailored for students aged 16 to 18. You can choose courses spanning Humanities, Social Sciences, Life Sciences, and Design, all taught by experienced university faculty. 

During your stay, you will participate in mini-lectures, tutorial discussions, city walking tours, and cultural group activities. Through these classes, you will learn essential academic research, critical analysis, and portfolio-building skills. You will also live in catered university accommodation on the Holyrood Campus alongside an international cohort. 

Why it stands out: It uniquely combines world-class undergraduate-style instruction from a top-tier global institution with an immersive cultural experience in the historic heart of Scotland’s capital.

7. Temple University High School Summer Program

Location: Temple University Japan Campus, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Cost: 340,000 JPY (approx. $2,300 USD); first 20 participants receive a discount of JPY 20,000 (~$125) if payment is made before March 1st
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort sizes
Dates: July 29th – August 6th
Application Deadline: April 1st: students needing a visa; May 1st: not needing a visa
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14-18; open to international students

This nine-day summer program allows you to study in Japan while exploring its language, culture, and daily life. You’ll attend a beginner-friendly Japanese language course alongside an elective taught in English using a university-style format. 

Classes are complemented by visits to locations around Tokyo and nearby destinations, allowing you to connect your learning with local history and culture. During the program, you’ll stay in shared accommodation, take part in organized excursions, and interact with students from different countries in both academic and social settings. No prior knowledge of Japanese is required, as all courses other than the language class are conducted in English.

Why it stands out: It combines university-style coursework with cultural experiences across Tokyo and nearby destinations.

8. Brown University – Brown Experiential Education: Barcelona

Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Cost: $8,270; $500 non-refundable deposit to secure a place; need-based Sibley Scholarships for eligible U.S. applicants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: July 6-17
Application Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: Students completing grades 10 to 12, ages 16 to 18 by June 14th; strong command of English for college-level academic study, with proficiency documentation requested when English is not the applicant’s primary language; open to international students

Among summer travel programs for 18 year olds, Brown Experiential Education: Barcelona stands out for having you spend 12 days studying Spanish language and Catalan urban history in the city itself. You take two paired courses, Immersive Intermediate Spanish and Barcelona in Ten Buildings, using the city’s landmarks as primary texts.

Planned site visits include the Roman remains at the Temple of Augustus, the Gothic Santa Maria del Mar, the Sagrada Família, the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion and Torre Agbar. Both courses are offered in affiliation with Brown’s Consortium for Advanced Studies Abroad. You live in a single room at the Beyoo Marina Residence and finish with a Course Performance Report and digital certificate rather than formal grades.

Why it stands out: It pairs immersive Spanish language study with an on-site architectural history course that reads the whole city through ten of its own landmark buildings.

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

Location: Multiple locations in Germany
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Small stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; 25 students selected
Dates: August – June
Application Deadline: December 1st
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors aged 18-19 by August 1st of departure year; minimum GPA of 2.5; must be a U.S. citizen; some knowledge of German is preferred but not required; not open to international students

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Vocational Scholarship gives you the opportunity to spend a year in Germany combining language study, vocational education, and workplace experience. Before departing, you’ll take part in an orientation program in Washington, D.C., followed by introductory German language instruction to prepare for your exchange. 

Once in Germany, you’ll live with a host family while completing vocational coursework and internships related to your chosen career field, which may include areas such as engineering, architecture, education, or international business. Throughout the program, you’ll gain experience in professional settings, continue developing your German language skills, and participate in seminars and educational visits that introduce you to German history, government, and society.

Why it stands out: It combines vocational training, internships, and a year-long cultural exchange in Germany.

10. UBC Future Global Leaders

Location: University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada
Cost: Canadian students: $1,940 – $2,110 CAD (~$1,401 – $1,524); International students: $2,620 – $2,855 CAD (~$1,892 – $2,062) Residence add-on: $2,650 CAD (~$1,914); bursaries are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-competitive; capped at a maximum of 35 students
Dates: Session 1: July 6-17; Session 2: July 20-31; Session 3: August 3-14
Application Deadline: Session 1: June 15th; Session 2: June 29th; Session 3: July 13th
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18 who have completed grade 10; open to international students

The UBC Future Global Leaders program is a summer pre-university experience that gives you a realistic taste of college life. You will explore a wide range of academic topics encompassing business, engineering, health sciences, media, history, law, politics, and society. 

During your session, you will attend classes taught by UBC professors, participate in university preparation workshops, and join weekend excursions to destinations like Grouse Mountain. A highly unique feature of this program is that it bypasses complicated admissions processes, requiring no application essays or transcripts to register. Ultimately, you will develop essential skills such as technical problem-solving, effective studying, and crafting outstanding university applications. 

Why it stands out: It combines the authenticity of living on a prestigious university campus with a completely stress-free academic environment where you can tackle first-year coursework without taking any final exams.

11. University of St Andrews’ Summer Academic Experience Courses

Location: University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, UK
Cost: £6,850; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 11th – August 1st
Application Deadline: Typically late February to March
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, ages 16-18; minimum B2 level on the CEFR scale for non-native English speakers; open to international students

The University of St Andrews’ Summer Academic Experience Courses offer you a pre-university residential program to experience Scottish higher education across specific topics: Cinema, Ideas and Society; Creative Writing; Management, Economics and Entrepreneurship; Medicine; Physical Science, Mathematics and Computer Science; Psychology and Neuroscience; Social Science and Humanities; and Sustainable Development. 

During your stay, you will conduct laboratory experiments, participate in traditional Scottish ceilidh dancing, and take a full-day excursion to Edinburgh. Unique features you will experience include living in guaranteed university residence halls and being taught directly by current St Andrews faculty. Ultimately, this structured environment helps you broaden your knowledge and properly prepare for your future university applications.

Why it stands out: It is the only pre-university summer course officially run by a Scottish university where you receive instruction exclusively from current academic staff. 

12. NGO Internships in Dublin  – The Intern Group

Location: Dublin, Ireland, or Remote (working for a Dublin NGO)
Cost: Varies by program length, dates, and chosen accommodation, with a minimum cost of $4,017 and a maximum cost of $17,839; need-based and merit-based aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; over 2,000 participants globally each year across all locations
Dates: Internships can run from 4 to 24 weeks, with start dates available in all months of the year
Application Deadline: Flexible/Rolling; students should apply at least 3 months before the desired start date
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 18 years old, hold a passport valid for at least 6 months, and have no criminal record; open to international students

If you’re weighing your options among summer travel programs for 18 year olds, The Intern Group NGO Internship program places you in Dublin, where you work with organizations involved in areas such as poverty support, homelessness services, mental health, and youth programs. Your tasks depend on the host organization but may include assisting with communications, helping manage social media content, supporting event planning, and contributing to administrative work.

You may also be involved in writing grant applications, conducting basic research for campaigns, drafting outreach materials, and helping coordinate fundraising or awareness activities. Alongside your placement, you take part in structured workshops focused on professional skills and career development, and you may travel to other parts of Ireland as part of organized activities.

Why it stands out: It combines NGO internship work with structured professional development in a Dublin-based setting.

13. Oxford University Said Business School – Future Climate Innovators

Location: Oxford University, Oxford, England
Cost: £8,995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 19th – August 2nd
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18; B2 English level; open to international students

Oxford’s Future Climate Innovators is a two-week residential summer program where you’ll examine climate change, sustainability, and innovation through university-style learning. You’ll attend classes covering topics such as climate science, ecosystems, extreme weather, and the role of emerging technologies in addressing environmental challenges, while working in teams to develop a sustainability-focused project. 

Alongside academic sessions, you’ll visit locations such as the Oxford Botanic Garden and participate in an industry visit to explore how environmental concepts are applied beyond the classroom. You’ll also attend workshops on career planning, entrepreneurship, and professional skills before presenting your final project at the program’s concluding conference.

Why it stands out: It combines sustainability coursework with a team-based innovation project and campus-based learning experience.

14. English Teacher Assistant Volunteer Program – Instituto Hemingway

Location: Bilbao, Spain
Cost: €500/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; cohort size not specified
Dates: Flexible; placement options range from one week to one year
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Minimum age of 18; applicants must speak fluent English or basic Spanish; open to international students

The Instituto Hemingway Teaching Assistant Volunteer Program gives you the opportunity to support English language learning for children in northern Spain. Working alongside local educators, you’ll assist with classroom activities, help prepare lesson materials, and contribute to interactive exercises designed to develop students’ speaking, reading, and comprehension skills. 

Depending on the age group you work with, you may help younger students practice reading, assist older students with assignments and projects, and take part in conversational activities that encourage the use of English in everyday situations. Outside your volunteer placement, you’ll have the opportunity to join organized cultural and social activities during evenings and weekends.

Why it stands out: It goes beyond standard volunteering by seamlessly integrating your daily classroom service with formal Spanish language education and authentic cultural immersion in Northern Spain. 

15. Computer Science Internships in the United Kingdom – The Intern Group

Location: London, UK
Cost: Varies by program length and accommodation; minimum cost is $4,687, and maximum cost is $22,563 for London; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 2,000+ participants each year
Dates: Flexible; programs can run from 4 to 24+ weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students at least 18 years old for in-person programs and 16 years old for remote programs, with no maximum age limit; open to international students

The Intern Group’s Computer Science Internship program allows you to gain practical experience in a technology-focused role while living in the UK during a gap year. You’ll be placed with a host organization based on your interests and the availability of placements, where you’ll contribute to projects related to software development, quality assurance, data analysis, or technical research. 

Your day-to-day responsibilities will vary by placement but may include testing software, assisting with coding tasks, analyzing datasets, improving digital products, or supporting projects involving areas such as machine learning and web development. Alongside your internship, you’ll participate in professional development activities designed to help you understand workplace expectations and build career-related skills.

Why it stands out: It combines international internship experience with practical computer science projects in a professional setting.

Frequently asked questions: Summer travel programs for 18 year olds

Are summer travel programs for 18 year olds open to international students?

Most are, including Parsons Paris Summer Intensive Studies, UBC Future Global Leaders, and The Intern Group’s various internship programs. A few exceptions exist: NSLI For Youth Summer Abroad and the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Vocational Scholarship are both restricted to US citizens. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme is also explicitly open globally to students aged 13 to 18.

How much do summer travel programs cost for 18 year olds?

Costs vary enormously by program type and length. Free options include NSLI-Y and the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange. Mid-range academic programs include the University of Edinburgh’s Pre-University Summer School at £5,250 and HEC Paris’s Youth Leadership Initiative at €1,950. Premium options include Notre Dame’s Study Abroad programs at up to $10,450 and The Intern Group’s longer internship placements, which can exceed $22,000 depending on location and duration.

What is the difference between an academic study abroad program and an internship or volunteer program?

Academic programs, like Parsons Paris Summer Intensive Studies or the University of St Andrews’ Summer Academic Experience Courses, have you take structured courses taught by faculty, often earning credit or a certificate. Internship and volunteer programs, like The Intern Group’s NGO placements in Dublin or the English Teacher Assistant Volunteer Program in Bilbao, instead place you directly in a workplace or service role. If you want structured academic content, a course-based program fits better; if you want hands-on professional or service experience, an internship or volunteer placement offers that instead.

Do summer travel programs for 18 year olds award college credit?

Some do, though it varies. Parsons Paris Summer Intensive Studies and select University of Iowa-style programs award real transferable credit. The University of Notre Dame’s Study Abroad programs offer credit for select sessions, while others, like Brown Experiential Education Barcelona, provide a Course Performance Report and digital certificate rather than formal grades. If credit matters to you, confirm this directly with each program, since policies vary even among similarly structured study abroad offerings.

How selective are summer travel programs for 18 year olds?

Selectivity ranges considerably. NSLI For Youth Summer Abroad and the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Vocational Scholarship are both highly competitive, with the latter admitting just 25 students nationally. Others, like UBC Future Global Leaders, are described as non-competitive with no application essays required. The Intern Group’s programs are described as highly selective despite serving over 2,000 participants annually, reflecting the scale of their applicant pool.

Is Immerse Education a good option for an 18 year old considering travel programs?

Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme is a strong choice if you want flexibility in location alongside a genuine university experience, spanning six cities including Oxford, Cambridge, and Singapore. The two week program places you in small groups of seven to 10 students, working on hands-on projects across more than 20 subjects. You’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and earn a certificate of completion, offering a lower-commitment alternative to the longer exchange and internship programs listed here.

Your Travel Program Was Just The Opener

Choosing among these summer travel programs for 18 year olds gives you a genuine introduction to independent living, new cultures, and academic environments abroad.

Once your program wraps up, you can start thinking about where your next destination or opportunity might be.

The independence, adaptability, and global perspective you built become a strong foundation for whatever study abroad opportunity comes next.

Keep building on what you started this summer by exploring our Study Abroad blogs for guidance on your next steps.