If you’re a high school student with a serious case of wanderlust, you can find yourself in a predicament while considering whether or not to spend some time studying in another country.
There are indeed opportunities to study abroad for a full year or even just a semester at a high school in another country. And yes, you long to travel the world and learn about other cultures. However, you’re certainly aware of the challenges associated with transferring high school credits. It’s scary to think about being away from home for an entire year as a teenager, especially if you have a lot of close friends and relatives back home.
You’re in luck because there are many alternatives to high school study abroad that will still give you the opportunity to gain the transformative experience that comes with spending time engaged in meaningful experiences abroad, but without requiring you to miss out on traditional high school memories with your family and friends back home. Below, we’ve compiled some of the alternatives to high school study abroad that we think are worth considering.
Attend a Language Institute and Learn a Second Language
Learning a new language will unquestionably improve your quality of life in many ways. You can impress admissions officers with your global perspective and cultural awareness as well as your potential for professional success by learning a foreign language. Plus, there’s no better location to pick up a new tongue than in the country where it’s spoken.
There are many language schools throughout the world ready to welcome young students like yourself and teach you the basics of your target language, whether you want to study Japanese in Tokyo, Spanish in Guatemala, or French in Canada.
Depending on the institution, the average length of time spent learning a foreign language overseas for high school students ranges from a week to a year. Staying with a host family while attending a language school is a common perk, making it easier to adjust to life in a foreign country and interact with native speakers.
Participate in an Outdoor Education Program and Gain Valuable Experiences
The world is filled of beautiful natural settings that are just waiting to be explored, from the lush rainforests of Brazil to the snowy peaks of the Swiss Alps. More and more research indicates that the more time people spend outside, the more connected to nature they feel, which in turn improves their mental health.
High school students can participate in a wide range of outdoor education programs abroad, many of which are timed to coincide with summer or even winter breaks. Participate in an outdoor training course abroad and test your limits. Discover the natural sights and rhythms of a new area while strengthening your body and mind with non-traditional outdoor-based programming designed to teach you essential survival skills. There’s no telling how far you can go unless you test your limitations.
Explore the World Through a Passion Project
Focusing on passion projects in high school can be quite rewarding. High school, with its many opportunities for extracurricular involvement, can be a great place to broaden your horizons beyond the academic curriculum and learn more about the things that truly fascinate you.
Having a special passion might give you a new perspective on life. Maybe you’re a classical musician interested in learning more about Mozart’s Salzburg roots, or maybe you’re a soccer player interested in learning from the best in Spain. Organizations like the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts offer summer camps and programs abroad so that members can pursue their passions while abroad. If you aren’t currently involved in a group that shares your passions, you should look into starting one; you never know when the right connections could lead to an exciting new experience on the other side of the world.
Volunteering is a great way to give back while exploring a new place.
One of the best ways to see the globe and make a difference is to volunteer abroad. There’s bound to be a project out there that suits your interests, whether you want to work with kids, save animals, or improve your local community.
Think about the kind of difference you want to make in the world before committing to a volunteer program. If you’re thinking about doing a volunteer stint in a place like an orphanage, it would be wise to familiarize yourself with the concept of voluntourism first.
However, volunteering overseas has many benefits, both for you and the community you serve. Read about the best advantages of doing volunteer work throughout high school overseas.
Take the plunge and plan your first major solo trip abroad.
If you’ve never traveled internationally before, your first encounter with a foreign culture is likely to be eye-opening wherever you go. You can have a life-changing experience overseas without joining a formal program. Those of you who are fortunate enough to take a trip with your family or a group of friends abroad will have an unforgettable experience regardless of the lack of organization you may encounter.
To get the most out of a trip to a foreign place with loved ones, it’s important to make connections with the locals. Learn about the history and culture of the country by engaging in conversation with the residents you meet, exploring its museums, sampling its cuisine, and experiencing its modes of transportation. The deeper your understanding of the place you’re visiting, the more your experience there will resonate with you and change you for the better.
Everything is possible.
We’ve included some alternatives to high school study abroad that we think are worth considering, but if you don’t find something that works for you here, keep looking! The globe is a vast and fascinating place, and its potential is practically limitless. You can definitely find a productive way to spend your high school years abroad if you set your mind to it.
Don’t be scared to put yourself out there and use whatever tools you have at your disposal to find the person that best complements you. You can get advice and information on how to go about studying or working overseas from your parents, instructors, and guidance counselors at school. Our Go Overseas resources can be used for both research and creative thinking. Visit our high school exchange program page to get your creative juices flowing.
