Study Abroad
Studying Abroad In College
If you are unable to engage in a study abroad program in high school, you may be able to do so in college! In New Mexico, you may even be able to apply your lottery scholarship to the tuition while studying abroad! Almost every college & university has a Study Abroad office and offers regularly-scheduled informational sessions for interested students. Options include brief summer programs, 1-semester programs and full-year programs. Some require previous language skills and some don’t.
Studying Abroad In High School
There are several companies that coordinate high school study abroad programs around the world. Early College Academy does not endorse any specific program. It is up to the student & family to research these programs thoroughly and decide if studying abroad is a viable option for them. Students are responsible for making an appointment with their counselor to ensure they have a plan for earning all required high school credits before, during, and after their time abroad.
Some long-established programs include:
The Council on International Educational Exchange
CIEE is a non-profit organization founded in 1947. CIEE offers programs around the world for summer, 1 semester, a full year, or a gap year between high school & college.
ASSE International
Established as a non-profit in 1976, ASSE offers exchange programs around the world.
American Field Service
The non-profit AFS has been around for 70 years, and offers study abroad programs as well as internships, foreign teaching opportunities, and gap year options.
Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) through ASSE International
This is a FREE program (students pay for air fare and expenses) that is a joint project between U.S. Congress and Germany’s Bundestag. The program has been in existence for over 30 years, and is funded by the U.S. Department of State. The CBYX program provides a unique opportunity for 250 young Americans to spend a year in Germany, while at the same time, giving 300 young Germans the change to live a year in the U.S. All students live as members of caring host families and enjoy a variety of program activities, learn German (you don’t have to know German before you go), and learn about life in a new country. Students have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with US Congressional Representatives and German Bundestag Members during their year abroad to discuss issues related to their exchange year. Because the CBYX program awards full scholarships to each qualifying student, the application and selection process is competitive, but well worth the extra effort.
National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
The U.S. Department of State’s NSLI-Y program was launched in 2006 to promote critical language learning among American youth. The U.S. Department of State, in cooperation with American Councils for International Education, awards and administers merit-based scholarships to high school students for participation in summer and academic year immersion programs in locations where the eight NSLI-Y languages are spoken. NSLI-Y immerses participants in the cultural life of the host community, giving them formal and informal language practice and sparking a lifetime interest in foreign languages and cultures. Participants receive intensive language instruction, live with a host family for all or part of the program, and participate in a variety of cultural activities. Previous language study is not required. Students at all levels of language ability are invited to apply.
Youth For Understanding
Through the exchange experience, YFU participants gain intercultural understanding, learn mutual respect, and develop a sense of social responsibility. Your experience abroad gives you leadership competencies necessary to meet the challenges and benefit from the opportunities of a fast-changing global community. YFU offers programming for all ages that allow you to immerse yourself in another culture, learn a new language and meet like-minded individuals who believe in YFU’s mission.