The types of summer programs abroad for high school students are language immersion, summer study abroad, cultural immersion, service learning, conservation and adventure. The exact terminology for describing program types varies from provider to provider, but most trips will fall into these categories.
However, a meal with only one ingredient isn’t very satisfying, is it? It’s the same for the types of summer programs abroad; they aren’t one note and that’s all. Summer programs abroad mix and match different components of each of the main themes to create the best possible experience for each traveler.
To help you narrow down what 2025 summer program abroad you want to join, let’s take a look at the main six program types that are available to high school students!
In this guide, we’ll look at six types of summer programs abroad:
Language Immersion
$262 per day
2 to 4 weeks
Homestay, Dormitory, Apartment, Youth Hostel
**The average program fee and duration was aggregated from our analysis of over 400 summer programs offered in 2024/2025 and accessed in August, 2024.
Language immersion programs offer high school students the opportunity to improve their language skills by living and learning in a country where the language is spoken. These programs provide a mix of structured classroom instruction and real-world practice, allowing students to develop fluency through direct interaction with native speakers.
For both the tongue-tied traveler and the polyglot prodigy alike, language immersion is the perfect chance to boost your language skills while creating lasting memories.
These are the activities that you can expect on a language immersion program:
- Daily language classes with native-speaking instructors
- Conversational practice in local markets, cafes, and public spaces
- Cultural excursions to museums, historical sites, and local events
- Adventure activities that incorporate language use, such as guided hikes or city tours
- Visits to local farms, artisan workshops, or community projects to learn about the culture and practice language skills
Sample Itinerary (14-Day Program in Costa Rica):
- Day 1: Arrival in San Jose, orientation, and introduction to Tico culture.
- Days 2-3: Settle into Turrialba; placement tests and start of Spanish classes.
- Days 4-6: Morning Spanish classes followed by afternoon adventures such as mountain biking, hiking to waterfalls, and exploring local coffee farms.
- Day 7: Whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River, then travel back to San Jose.
- Days 8-10: Continue language classes in San Jose with evening cultural activities such as salsa dancing lessons and cooking classes.
- Days 11-12: Explore Manuel Antonio National Park with guided tours and beach time; practice Spanish with locals.
- Day 13: Final language assessments and a reflective session on your experience, followed by a farewell dinner.
- Day 14: Departure from San Jose, taking with you improved language skills and unforgettable memories.
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Top Countries for Language Immersion Summer Programs Abroad
Where you go for your language immersion program depends on what language you want to learn. These are the most popular language and destination pairs:
- Spanish – Spain, Costa Rica, Argentina, Mexico
- French – France, Canada (Quebec), Morocco
- Mandarin Chinese – China, Taiwan
- Japanese – Japan
- Korean – South Korea
- Portuguese – Portugal
- German – Germany
Summer Study Abroad
Italy
Spain
England
$282 per day
3+ weeks
Host Family, Dormitory, Apartment, Youth Hostel
Studying abroad isn’t just for college students. Summer study abroad programs for high school students are easier to find than full year-long exchange programs and can even provide college credit.
A summer study abroad program gives the opportunity to combine classroom instruction with field trips and cultural activities. Instead of visiting your local Modern Art Museum, you can take a trip with your class to the Louvre in France. Interested in marine biology? Learn about marine ecosystems in the classroom and then go see those ecosystems first-hand.
Summer study abroad programs are the perfect chance for high school students to explore career options, prepare for college and just have a great time learning about the topics you are interested in the most.
Here’s a bit of what you can expect on a summer study abroad program:
- Daily academic classes in various subjects taught by local experts
- Field trips to historical sites, museums, and cultural landmarks
- Group discussions and collaborative projects with peers
- Cultural immersion activities like cooking classes, traditional crafts, or language lessons
- Free time to explore local attractions and interact with the community
Sample Itinerary (3-Week Program in France):
- Week 1:
- Morning: Academic classes focused on subject-specific topics (e.g., French history, art, or language).
- Afternoon: Field trips to nearby cultural and historical sites, such as the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, or a local art gallery.
- Evening: Group activities like a French cooking class or a language exchange with local students.
- Week 2:
- Morning: Continued academic instruction with an emphasis on applying learned concepts through projects or presentations.
- Afternoon: Visits to significant cultural landmarks such as the Palace of Versailles or a walking tour of Montmartre.
- Evening: Cultural activities such as a fashion workshop, attending a local theater performance, or exploring the vibrant streets of Paris.
- Week 3:
- Morning: Final academic assessments and project presentations.
- Afternoon: Day trips to nearby regions, such as the Champagne region or a visit to a French château.
- Evening: Reflective activities, including journaling, group discussions, and a farewell dinner.
Cultural Immersion
Japan
Peru
Morocco
$344 per day
1 to 2 weeks
Homestay, Hotel, Basehouse
Cultural immersion programs allow high school students to experience and start to understand the daily life and traditions of another culture. These programs often involve living with host families, participating in local customs and engaging in activities that bring the culture to life.
Your knees might get a bit sore from doing 108 prostrations (bows) in a Buddhist temple, and your belly might get close to bursting from trying traditional foods. But your heart will leave a bit fuller as you come to learn more about the diverse cultures around the world.
During a cultural immersion program you can expect to:
- Live with a local host family to experience daily life and traditions
- Participate in cultural festivals and local events
- Learn traditional crafts such as tea ceremonies or calligraphy
- Explore historical sites and landmarks
- Engage in language practice through interactions with locals
Sample Itinerary (10-Day Program in Japan):
- Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo, orientation and welcome dinner.
- Day 2: Explore Asakusa; visit Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Street, and take a Japanese language class.
- Days 3-4: Discover Shibuya and Shinjuku; participate in a manga drawing workshop and a traditional tea ceremony.
- Days 5-6: Travel to Kanazawa; visit a kendo dojo, explore Kanazawa Castle, and learn the art of tea ceremonies in Kenrokuen Garden.
- Day 7: Return to Tokyo; language exchange with local students and evening exploration of Akihabara.
- Day 8: Visit Edo-Tokyo Museum, participate in a calligraphy workshop, and group reflection.
- Day 9: Free day for personal exploration in Tokyo, farewell dinner and closing ceremony.
- Day 10: Departure from Tokyo, return home with lasting memories of Japanese culture.
Volunteering & Service Learning
Indonesia
Guatemala
Dominican Republic
$361 per day
1 to 2 weeks
Basehouse, Hotel, Homestay
Volunteering and service learning programs offer high school students the chance to make a tangible impact on communities abroad while immersing themselves in the local culture and environment. The “learning” in service learning is key. Volunteering and service learning programs focus on personal growth through engaging in meaningful projects.
The best programs in this type work for the same communities for decades. This way the community impact is tangible and lasting, bringing more value to both the community and student.
The activities you can expect on a volunteering and service learning program abroad include:
- Community service projects focused on infrastructure, education, or conservation
- Cultural immersion activities like local cooking classes or traditional dance
- Exploration of natural sites, such as national parks and hidden beaches
- Interaction with local communities through sports, games, and cultural exchanges
Sample Itinerary (8-Day Program in the Dominican Republic):
- Day 1: Arrival in Santo Domingo, orientation, and introduction to local community and project goals.
- Days 2-4: Volunteer on community development projects in a rural village; engage with locals, practice Spanish, and participate in cultural exchange activities.
- Day 5: Explore Los Tres Ojos National Park; afternoon snorkeling trip at a hidden beach.
- Day 6: Visit Saona Island, assist with turtle hatchling conservation, and enjoy the pristine beaches.
- Day 7: Continue community service projects; afternoon cultural activities such as a traditional cooking class or local music and dance.
- Day 8: Reflective session on your service experience, farewell gathering with the community, and departure from Santo Domingo.
Sustainability & Conservation
Australia
Fiji
Greece
$351 per day
1 to 3 weeks
Basehouse, Hotel
Sustainability and conservation programs give high school students the opportunity to actively participate in protecting our planet’s natural resources while learning about the importance of environmental stewardship. These programs combine real work in the field with educational experiences focused on sustainable practices.
In Australia you might help care for rescued kangaroos and learn about restoration efforts. On a conservation program in Costa Rica you might help protect baby sea turtles from poachers as they make their perilous journey to the ocean for the first time. Sustainability and conservation programs are perfect for a high school student interested in learning more about the environment and conservation.
Here are some of the activities you do on a sustainability and conservation program abroad:
- Volunteer at wildlife conservation centers or zoos
- Participate in habitat restoration projects
- Learn about sustainable practices and conservation efforts
- Explore natural landmarks, such as national parks and marine reserves
- Engage in educational workshops on ecology and environmental science
Sample Itinerary (9-Day Program in Australia):
- Day 1: Arrival in Brisbane, orientation, and introduction to local wildlife conservation efforts.
- Day 2: Visit a local conservation center; participate in animal care and habitat maintenance activities.
- Days 3-4: Work at Australia Zoo; assist with animal care, including food preparation and enclosure maintenance.
- Days 5-6: Travel to a coastal national park; engage in beach cleanup and marine conservation projects, including snorkeling to assess coral health.
- Day 7: Participate in a sustainable farming workshop; learn about organic farming practices and help with farm tasks.
- Day 8: Explore the Great Barrier Reef; snorkeling and educational sessions on reef conservation.
- Day 9: Reflective session on conservation experiences, final group activities, and departure from Brisbane.
Adventure Programs
Costa Rica
Puerto Rico
Thailand
$376 per day
1 to 2 weeks
Basehouse, Hotel
Every trip abroad is an adventure in its own right, but adventure programs take that excitement up a notch. Whether you’re navigating the wild rapids of Thailand’s Mae Taeng River or snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, adventure programs blend adrenaline-fueled activities with cultural experiences.
On an adventure program abroad you’ll have the chance to do things like rock climbing or bungee jumping while with a local guide and in some of the world’s most amazing landscapes.
Here are common activities for thrill seekers on summer adventure programs:
- Water-Based Activities: Whitewater Rafting, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Surfing, Kayaking
- Land-Based Activities: Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Trekking/Hiking, Ziplining/Canopy Tours
- Cultural and Wilderness Immersion: Wildlife Safaris, Cultural Exchange, Camping, Jungle Expeditions
- Winter and Snow-Based Activities: Skiing/Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Ice Climbing
- Adrenaline and Extreme Sports: Bungee Jumping, Cave Diving, Skydiving
Sample Itinerary (10-Day Program in Thailand):
- Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok, orientation, and introduction to Thai culture.
- Day 2: Fly to Krabi; settle into a beachside hotel and enjoy an orientation discussion.
- Day 3: Rock climbing on limestone cliffs in Railay Beach, followed by beach activities.
- Day 4: Snorkeling expedition around the nearby islands, exploring coral reefs and marine life.
- Day 5: Travel to Laem Sak; participate in mangrove restoration and learn traditional batik fabric-making.
- Day 6: Fly to Chiang Mai; evening walking tour of the old city.
- Day 7: Spend the day at an elephant conservation center; learn about and care for Asian elephants.
- Day 8: Morning Thai cooking class followed by an afternoon Muay Thai kickboxing lesson.
- Day 9: Whitewater rafting adventure on the Mae Taeng River, followed by an overnight stay at an ecolodge in Chiang Dao.
- Day 10: Morning trek through the Chiang Dao mountains, visit Chiang Dao Cave, and afternoon departure from Chiang Mai.
How Long Are Most Summer Programs Abroad?
Most summer programs abroad for high school students are between six and 18 days long. Six days is a minimum as anything less would feel like a layover. On the other hand, the maximum is only defined by how long summer break lasts—we have to go back to school after all.
Summer study abroad for high school students and language immersion programs can be three or more weeks long. Adventure programs to nearby destinations like Costa Rica or Dominican Republic can be brief, but impactful at lengths under ten days.
Here’s a look at the average length of summer programs abroad for high school students:
Still not sure what’s the best program for you or your teen? Talk with our expert travel advisors to plan your perfect summer adventure!