5 Affordable High School Study Abroad Programs

International experience is valuable, especially experiences that immerse participants in local cultures and languages. While participating in a cultural exchange can seem intimidating, these programs help students build self-confidence, develop and strengthen language skills, and invest in their academic futures.

The costs of studying abroad can vary greatly, which poses a serious problem for many students. The goal of this article is to present five great options for high school students to study abroad with trustworthy programs at no cost to them or to their families.

Why Study Abroad in High School?

At first, living and studying abroad is an intense and sometimes frightening experience. Learning languages through immersion can make everyday tasks like shopping, following directions, and completing homework assignments seem overwhelming. What’s more, cultural differences can add another layer of complexity to navigating daily life. However, over time, students generally realize (sometimes to their own surprise) that they are able to learn, adapt, and even thrive in these situations. Studying abroad in high school challenges students’ assumptions about the world, empowers them to become independent, and connects them with lifelong friends and mentors. As a bonus, colleges and universities value cultural immersion experiences when making admissions decisions.

Understanding the Costs of Studying Abroad

As mentioned above, there is no typical cost to studying abroad. Dozens of companies organize international programs in which high schoolers can pay to live and study abroad, and their prices range from $5,000 to $20,000 per semester (which generally includes tuition, lodging, food, and insurance). Travel expenses and cell phone service may or may not be covered. Some companies, such as the nonprofit CIEE, offer scholarships that cover a portion or, in some cases, all of a student’s tuition costs.

A handful of competitive programs, including several administered by the U.S. federal government, are fully funded. That means that they do not charge students any money, they pay for airfare, and they usually provide students with a modest monthly stipend (the amount usually depends on typical costs in the student’s host location). In general, the only necessary costs not covered by these programs are a) the cost of obtaining a valid U.S. passport, and b) the costs of getting required immunizations (where applicable) before departing for the host country.

What to Look for in a Study Abroad Program

If you’re considering enrolling in a high school study abroad program, it’s essential to pick the right one. Regardless of where you are headed, we always recommend conducting in-depth research on the program’s academic structure and timeline (e.g. summer vs. school year), cultural immersion activities, support services, safety protocols, and housing options (dorms vs. host families) to make sure that it aligns with your goals.

5 Affordable High School Study Abroad Programs

Congress–Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX)

Ages: 15–18½

Location: Germany

Timeline: Academic year

Deadline: Varies by region (typically November)

Cost: Free, full scholarship

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program is funded jointly by the American and German governments. The program sends high school students from the United States to Germany for one academic year, and brings a group of German high school students to the United States for one academic year. Students from the U.S. attend school in Germany and live with a host family. No prior language experience is required, but applicants should have a strong interest in learning German through immersion. The program administration covers international travel between the U.S. and Germany and provides students with a monthly stipend.

Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad

Ages: 15–18½

Location: Middle East, Africa, Asia, Southeast Europe

Timeline: Academic year

Deadline: Varies (typically December–January)

Cost: Free, full scholarship

YES Abroad is a study abroad program sending high school students from the U.S. to live and attend high school abroad for an academic year. Last year, the list of partner countries included Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, North Macedonia, Senegal, Thailand, and Türkiye. The program covers international airfare and provides participants with a monthly stipend to cover food and local transportation. During the program, participants are expected to actively work towards fluency in the language of their host country.

National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)

Ages: 15–18

Location: Various countries (e.g., China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Korea, Morocco, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey)

Timeline: Summer (6–8 weeks) or academic year

Deadline: Typically November

Cost: Free, full scholarship

The goal of NSLI-Y is to strengthen American national security and economic competitiveness through language learning. To that end, the program initially targeted Chinese (Mandarin) and Arabic when it was launched in 2006, but has since expanded to include Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, and Turkish. The program offers fully funded international immersions as well as online language classes. Previous study of the target language is not required.

Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Abroad

Ages: 15–18

Location: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Romania

Timeline: Academic year

Deadline: Varies (typically December–January)

Cost: Free, full scholarship

The FLEX program is over 30 years old. Its initial goal was to welcome high-achieving students from Europe and Asia to live and study in the U.S. for an academic year. Now, the program also sends American high schoolers to live and study in partner countries. While the program welcomes foreign students from nearly two dozen countries, American high schoolers can currently apply to go to Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, or Romania.

Youth Ambassadors Program

Ages: 15–18

Location: Latin America and the Caribbean

Timeline: Approximately 3 weeks during the summer

Deadline: Varies (typically December–January)

Cost: Free, full scholarship

The Youth Ambassadors Program, administered by the U.S. State Department, lasts for 2-3 weeks during the summer. It prioritizes mutual understanding between the U.S. and countries in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Applicants from the U.S. to go to partner countries should demonstrate an aptitude for leadership and an interest in community service. They should also have enough fluency in the language of the host country (Spanish or Portuguese) to participate fully in all cultural activities.

How to Prepare for a Study Abroad Experience

Once you’ve selected and been admitted to a study abroad program, it’s time to get ready! As soon as possible, make a list and start organizing all of the documents you’ll need to apply for a passport, obtain a long-stay visa (if applicable), and enroll in your program. This process can take several months depending on the country, so you’ll want to get started early. While preparing your documents, it’s also worth getting a head start on studying the language and culture of your host country. Language learning apps like DuoLingo and Pimsleur are extremely useful for reaching an upper-beginner level, and TV shows and movies in your target language are great for practicing intermediate and advanced comprehension. If possible, find a language partner in person or online. Lastly, spend time with your family, and plan together how you’ll stay in touch while you’re away.

The Soft Skills You’ll Build While Studying Abroad

While study abroad programs offer incredible cultural and academic experiences, some of the most lasting lessons happen outside the classroom.

• Independence grows naturally as you navigate unfamiliar streets, manage your own schedule, and adjust to a new way of life far from home.

• Problem-solving becomes second nature when you’re figuring out how to use public transportation in another language or adapt to new school systems.

• Communication skills sharpen, whether you're ordering food, making new friends, or expressing yourself in another language—even when you don’t have all the words.

• Empathy and cultural sensitivity expand as you see daily life through someone else’s perspective and learn to respect customs that differ from your own.

• Resilience strengthens every time you face a challenge—whether it's homesickness or jet lag—and learn how to overcome it.

These soft skills are hard to teach in a traditional classroom but incredibly valuable in life, college, and careers. They show colleges and future employers that you’re adaptable, mature, and capable of thriving in new environments.

Take Your Learning Global

Enriching global learning experiences should be challenging in a good way, but they don’t have to be financially prohibitive. The programs listed above are free and cover participants’ travel and living expenses. If you are interested in developing language skills while experiencing life and school abroad, explore the options and apply! Plus, don’t miss our list of free and affordable summer programs for high school students.

Looking for more options to gain an edge? Polygence partners with high school students to help them achieve and surpass their academic goals. Our research mentorship program complements study abroad experiences by providing students with valuable resources and connecting them to experienced mentors in their field of interest. Additionally, our Polygence Pods program offers a starting point for students to gain foundational knowledge before diving into a research project.

For students who are ready to explore, Polygence can support you wherever you go in the world. Check out some of the topics you could explore with Polygence!