Academics

Each of our High School Semester Abroad host countries have a Ministry of Education that controls the curricula for all students throughout the country. It’s important for students to work closely with their U.S. high school guidance counselors or other officials to ensure that credit for courses taken abroad is granted and transferred.

Here are some important things to keep in mind:

1. You should meet with your home school officials to determine if they will accept the credit you earn abroad. The home school also determines how the grades earned abroad are translated on your transcript. Ideally, grades should not be transferred directly. Grading systems in the United States and abroad will differ, making it challenging to factor grades earned abroad into a grade point average.
2. You might not have a lot of control over the individual courses you can take because the Ministry of Education in each of our host countries sets the curricula for all students. Many of our participants complete some graduation requirements, such as English and U.S. History, prior to (or upon returning from) their High School Semester Abroad program.
3. You should email your class schedule abroad to your home school once you are settled into the proper courses and levels in your high school abroad.
4. You must ask a school official at your host high school abroad for a list of courses taken and grades received because you will not automatically receive an official transcript.

Navigating today’s interconnected world requires a range of 21st-century skills, with world languages and cultural awareness at the top of the list. That’s why our high school study abroad programs focus on full cultural immersion in countries all over the world. 

Regardless of which CIEE program you choose, academic excellence is always a top priority. The lessons you learn abroad with CIEE will boost your academic career and catch the eye of college admissions officers. 

Our programs also spark personal growth in surprising ways that help you become self-confident and ready to take on new challenges, meet new people, and be comfortable in new situations, whether at home or abroad. In just a few months, you will become: 

• A globally aware young adult who understands and appreciates other cultures 
• A strong communicator—in both your native language and a second (or third) one! 
• A flexible, independent thinker 
• Adept at handling a range of situations and challenges 
• More marketable to colleges 
• More mindful of your interests and talents