Both of my children spent an academic year in high school study abroad programs and it has deeply affected their lives. 

In fact, they both wrote books about their experiences.

My son, Adrian, wrote an ebook, Beyond the Great Wall,  about his year in China;  
My daughter, Alana, wrote an ebook, French Twist: How a high school junior had the time of her life studying abroad and you can, too!, about her year in France.

High school study abroad generally involves a homestay because the students are not old enough to live independently in their own apartments. In the best of circumstances, you are truly incorporated into the family. It’s a deep immersion in which you really have two families from that moment forth. You do what the family does; you meet the relatives. You have an extended family and endless “cousins”.  It can be a marvelous time.

You go to school with the locals, if you are lucky. You develop international friendships that can last a lifetime.  You can really position yourself for your college applications. Every student I know who studied abroad for an academic year was accepted into their first or second choice college.  Of course, there are no guarantees, but that has been my experience.

There are many reputable high school study abroad programs.  My children went with AFS. We liked them so much that both myself and my daughter became volunteers with the organization.

• AFS Intercultural Programs

• YFU (Youth for Understanding)

• CIEE

• People to People

• Edu-Culture International (ECI)

• LeapYear (17-21 years old, but some high schoolers can complete their high school education with this program)

• Seamester

• Intrax Study Abroad

• Experiment in International Living (summer programs)

• ASPECT Foundation

• Two Worlds United Education Foundation

Do your research and due diligence about the high school study abroad program. No one program is appropriate for everyone. Select the program that’s best for you. Talk with returning students and ask them about their experiences. Check into the longevity of the program.

Now, let's examine financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.