We have extended our application deadline for Fall Semester 2008 High School Abroad programs in Spain! Contact us for details.

Attend high school in Europe, Latin America or Asia

CCI's High School Abroad Program enables you to strive for and develop linguistic fluency, independence, self-reliance, and tolerance within a well-established, secure structure.

During your program abroad, you will live with a host family, attend a local high school, and experience daily life in the country of your choice. You will gain an in-depth, first hand knowledge of your host country's culture, traditions, school systems and daily customs. Whether you attend school and live with a family in a suburb of Tokyo, in an Australian coastal city, or in an ancient Spanish village, studying abroad will be a life changing, enriching experience. CCI offers a limited number of scholarships for its High School Abroad Program.

Living with a Host Family
For decades, the cross-cultural homestay has been considered the best educational vehicle for the development of real international understanding. Students accepted to CCI's High School Abroad Program have profound opportunities for cultural immersion by living with a well-screened host family while attending a local high school abroad.

Host families are volunteer families with the exception of Ireland and Australia, where families receive a small remuneration for hosting. Each host family agrees to provide its international "son or daughter" with meals and his or her own bed. Just as in the U.S., every family is different. You may share a room with a host sibling or have your own room. You may have younger, older or no host siblings. Both parents may work or your host mother may work in the home. Many host families have hosted participants from a number of different countries over the years. For others, hosting is a first time experience. As you can see, host families represent all walks of life. Host families do not want or expect a "boarder," but rather a new friend and family member. They look forward to welcoming you into their family!

School Enrollment
CCI will enroll you in a public high school abroad and documentation of school work done overseas will be provided. You are responsible for coordinating any transfer of credits from your high school abroad to your high school in the U.S. If you have questions or difficulties, CCI’s staff may be able to assist you in this process. Please note that we can not guarantee that your American school will accept your studies abroad as credit. You should see your guidance counselor to determine what credits you might need to take outside of your studies abroad to ensure that you graduate high school on time.

Support of Local Representative
Sometimes called a local representative or a counselor, there will be an adult outside of your host family who will support you throughout your stay abroad. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your local representative. He or she is there for you!

Host Country Orientation
Before you depart the U.S., you will need to learn as much as possible about the customs and culture of the country where you will be living. This will enable you to settle in more easily within your host family and community. Upon acceptance to the program, CCI will send you orientation, culture shock, and host country information, so that you can familiarize yourself with your destination. CCI’s National Office or local staff will also provide you with a thorough orientation before your departure. You should also read as much as possible about your host country and practice your language skills as much as you can!

Visa and Travel Arrangements
Upon acceptance to the program, CCI will inform you of what you need to do in order to get a passport and visa. Along with your host family information, CCI will notify you of your arrival city, travel dates, and any travel arrangements that need to be made. All passport, visa and travel arrangements are the responsibility of the participant and need to be made according to CCI's instructions.

Family Visits
Family members or friends are welcome to visit the program participant in their host country once their program with CCI is complete.

Visiting home or receiving visits from home during the course of a program like this is extremely disruptive to the program of the student. Such visits very often cause the student to feel homesickness afterward, and to go through the challenging adjustment period experienced at the beginning of the program again after the visit. These reactions to visits are hard on both program participants and host families. Because we truly wish for all of our program participants and host families to have positive experiences, we seek to minimize activities that threaten to detract from the positive experience meant to take place between program participant and host family such as visits to or from home.

As such receiving visits from friends or family during your program is not allowed.

Application Requirements
Applicants must have an interest in other cultures and be willing to participate as fully as possible in the host country's culture and language, in school, and in host family activities. Other desirable characteristics include: flexibility, curiosity, motivation, and a good sense of humor. When applying for CCI’s High School Abroad Program, you should have studied the language of the host country for at least two years, have a good academic record and be in good mental and physical health. In addition:

Program Length
Programs are available for approximately 3, 5 or 10 months.

Program Includes

Program Does Not Include

Deadlines
Applicants should submit their applications prior to the deadlines below:

Fall Semester Departures:

Argentina:  March 1

Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Ecuador, New Zealand, Taiwan:  March 15

All other countries:  April 15

Spring Semester Departures:

All countries:  September 15

Need more information?
Request a brochure

Email us  

Call us toll free (in the U.S. only), 1-866-684-9675.

Top of Page