Summer, Gap Year and Post Graduate Programs

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 At CIEE, we offer a variety of college study abroad programs covering semester, summer, and January terms. In addition to studying internationally, we provide internships abroad where students gain professional skills and experience in real-world work environments. Learn more about our comprehensive college study abroad programs and international internships below.

Reinvent your high school experience and

call an amazing international destination

home for a trimester, semester, or full

academic year! Attend a local high school

and live with a caring host family, gaining

deep insight into the culture and language

that you can’t get as a tourist.

Global Navigator gap year programs offer you the chance to go up 1 whole language proficiency level in one of 6 world languages. Enjoy the perfect balance of structured-language learning and free time. Come back refreshed, confident, and prepared to start college! To participate, you must be at least 18 years old at the start of the program and be a recent high school graduate (no more than 1 year post-graduation).

 Cushing Academy develops curious, creative, and confident learners and leaders in a setting where faculty, staff, and facilities exist to nurture the optimal growth of students. The Academy’s college preparatory program is designed to ensure a transformative experience for each individual, at every level. Students are challenged to think critically and creatively, write effectively, express ideas persuasively, and collaborate with respect. Outstanding teaching, enriched by a remarkable breadth of offerings, allows students to discover a passion for learning and to build skills for college and beyond. As a pioneer in learning support, Cushing strives to meet students where they are and provide them with a powerful toolkit for academic success. Outside of the classroom, Cushing’s longstanding tradition of excellence in athletics is paired with professional-level visual and performing arts departments.

At Stoneleigh-Burnham School, we ignite the passions of young women. A vibrant all-girls boarding and day school for grades 7-12,  nestled in the heart of Western Massachusetts, we cultivate a supportive community where students discover and amplify their voices.

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, we challenge our students with rigorous academics that prepare them for college success and global citizenship. Our dedicated faculty fosters a learning environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual curiosity.

Beyond the classroom, our students thrive. From the stage to the riding ring, from the art studio to the debate podium, we offer a rich array of opportunities to explore passions, develop talents, and build confidence. Dance, equestrian, visual, and performing arts—our programs are designed to inspire and empower.

At Stoneleigh-Burnham, we believe in the power of student voices. We are committed to nurturing our students into confident, compassionate, and accomplished leaders.

 By the time they graduate, our students will have worked incredibly hard, overcome many challenges, chronicled numerous achievements, and grown into young adults equipped to take on the demands of college and career.

Some will attend top universities and liberal arts colleges, culinary schools, art schools, engineering schools, technical colleges, and an array of other 2- and 4-year institutions. Others will enter apprenticeship programs in the trades, become entrepreneurs, and enter the workforce as assets to their companies and communities.

As a part of this life-changing community, each has their own story — their own SJA experience.

 Darlington is a college-preparatory school that gives day and boarding students the opportunity to discover their place in the global community. We do this by offering academic and extracurricular explorations personalized for each student, and led by teachers and staff who are exceptionally accessible and encouraging. Darlington students graduate with the confidence, connections, and compassion they need to succeed in college and their career, and be meaningful contributors to the greater good. Located in Rome, Georgia, Darlington School enrolls approximately 750 students each year from 25 countries and 30 states on average. The school serves grades Pre-K to 12 with a boarding option in grades 9-12. Learn more at www.darlingtonschool.org. 

 Western Reserve Academy is a world-class boarding and day school nestled in the beautiful small town of Hudson, Ohio — putting the heart in the heartland since 1826! Here, we prepare students to blaze trails in learning and in life. How? By embracing an approach to education that is illuminated by tradition, sparked by innovation and energized by joy. With $9 million dollars in financial aid and merit awards distributed
each year, we bring top-level education well within the realm of possibility.

Though it's not in our nature to boast — we have a lot to tout. Architectural Digest named us the most beautiful private school in Ohio; Niche has ranked us the #1 college prep high school in Ohio; and we are top-ranked for STEM and one of the best private schools in the state. The New York Times once paid us a visit, and our students, parents and alumni members like it here so much that they sang about it.

Our greatest difference is also our best attribute: Ohio is the perfect place to be. Our campus is conveniently located within driving distance of two airports, and we enjoy all of the city amenities that being near Cleveland brings. Hudson is home to bubble tea shops, boutiques, eateries — all only steps away from campus. Ohio can even make a difference in the college application process. When Educational Consultant and current parent Christine Chapman was asked why she chose WRA for her daughter, she replied, "Reserve always was at the top of my list. It has facilities that exceed other top facilities in the boarding school world. There's the advantage of applying to college in Ohio, as opposed to New England. And part of me felt that this would be a safe space for my daughter."  

A college preparatory coeducational boarding and day school for students ages 13-18 with learning differences. Highly individualized education promotes students' academic performance, emotional intelligence, and fosters a lifelong love of learning.

Traditionally, the Middlebridge student presents with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or written expression, attentional diagnoses such as ADD/ADHD, Executive Dysfunction, and/or school related anxiety. 

Middlebridge is a haven for learning, growing, and belonging. Our multifaceted, integrated, and holistic approach creates confident and capable students who embrace educational opportunities, community engagement, and leadership. 

 Fork Union Military Academy is an all-male college preparatory boarding school located in the town of Fork Union, Virginia. With a heritage dating back to 1898, the Academy offers a unique blend of academic rigor, military discipline, and Christian values. Our mission is to forge devout, educated, honorable young men who are courageous. The structured environment at FUMA fosters discipline, respect, and responsibility, providing students with the tools they need to excel academically and personally.

The Academy offers a unique curriculum. Our One Subject Plan allows students to focus on a single subject in each 7-week academic term. Our dedicated faculty provide personalized instruction and mentorship, ensuring each cadet receives the attention they need to thrive. In addition to rigorous academics, the Academy offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including athletics, fine arts, and leadership programs. This holistic approach to education allows students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and build lasting friendships.

Our military structure is a cornerstone of the Academy experience, instilling the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline. Cadets participate in daily formations, wear uniforms, and adhere to a structured schedule that promotes time management and accountability. The academy's focus on character development prepares young men to face life's challenges with integrity and confidence. Whether your goal is to attend a top-tier college, pursue commission to a military service academy, or develop strong character and leadership skills, Fork Union Military Academy provides an unparalleled environment for growth and achievement.

 Suffield Academy is a coeducational, independent secondary school serving 410 students. The school blends an academically challenging program with an encouraging, nurturing culture. Some of Suffield's most innovative offerings include the Leadership Program and a unique four-year College Counseling Program. Admission is highly selective; 1,000 students applied for the 120 available spaces in recent years. Students come from more than 20 American states and 30 countries. This is a wonderful place where each student is a key ingredient in our success. We hope you will come take a close look at Suffield.

  Conventional education is not enough. For you, for us, or for the world. We are an independent 9–12 private boarding and day school situated in southeastern Vermont that has spent 85 years on the forefront of progressive education. We work to set up students for their own success. And the way we work, works.

This is a place of constant growth where students find their full selves. Taking control of their education through project and experience based learning, embracing their creativity on a campus constantly making, leading and becoming active community members through our work program — Our way of learning can’t be found anywhere else.

The result of a Putney education is a person who is adaptable, resilient, and prepared. Ready to do right by themselves and the world around them.

 The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a co-ed boarding and day school for 325 students in grades 9-12 as well as a post-graduate year located in Washington, CT. The school’s student body typically consists of students from more than 25 states and over 20 countries - nearly 80% of students live on campus. Frederick Gunn was a

pioneering educator, courageous abolitionist, and rugged outdoorsman. He inspired generations of students to be curious and thoughtful, to be active members of their communities, and to stand up for what they believe in - he was a transformational

leader. Gunn students develop lifelong learning and leadership skills they need to be active and responsible citizens, both locally and globally. We prepare our students for what’s next as they continue to learn and grow, in college and in life. It all begins in the classroom, yet because we are a boarding school, it intentionally spans across

all of our on-campus experiences. Built on a timeless educational philosophy, with its emphasis on challenging academics, character development, curiosity, risk-taking, problem solving, and independent thinking, we meet every student where they are,

while never letting them stay there.

Our innovative learning ecosystem is built around four distinctive pillars: risk-taking and innovation, learning yourself and how to learn, public character and active citizenship, and a sense of rootedness and place. These four pillars inform all that we do on campus with the following programs serving as examples of putting our pillars into action. The Center for Citizenship and Just Democracy is a four-year

curriculum central to each student’s development where we put the focus on

reasoned dialogue and rational debate. In the classroom, our Innovation, Design,

Engineering and Applied Scholarship program is a collaborative curriculum that

crosses the boundaries of engineering, science, math and business. Through our

Center for Entrepreneurship, students develop skills that we know matter for life

itself - self-awareness, creativity, ability to assess risk, team orientation, resilience

and being proactive. Away from the classroom and inspired by our pillars, Gunn Outdoors is a cornerstone experience on our campus promoting outdoor life and allowing students further opportunities to take risks, problem solve and lead in a world that won’t conform to their every desire.

 At St. Margaret's School, learning should be an immersive and transformative experience. That's why we've introduced our innovative S.T.R.E.A.M. program that fully integrates the power and beauty of the river into all aspects of education.

Picture this: studying science, technology, engineering, arts, and math with the river as your subject and constant companion. Our students don't just learn about the river - they learn from it. It's historical, scientific, poetic, violent, passive, mathematical, and, most of all, inspirational.

Come and experience education like never before at St. Margaret's School. Engage in hands-on learning that connects you to nature, history, and a world of possibilities. Discover the unique ways in which the river can shape your understanding and ignite your passion for knowledge.

Join us at St. Margaret's School and embark on a learning journey that is full of innovation and possibility. Let the river guide you to a brighter future! 

Kimball Union Academy, or KUA, is a top private school in New England, offering high school students in grades 9 through 12 or a postgraduate year with a transformative college-preparatory education that places individual growth and development at its core. Founded in 1813, KUA is an institution that is rooted in history, yet unbound by tradition. We are guided by a mission to prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow’s world by inspiring academic mastery, creativity, responsibility, and leadership. KUA is a place where you can be you and where you will feel an immediate sense of belonging with an average class size of 12 students. Extending our classroom into the surrounding environment, our 1,300-acre campus sits in the heart of New Hampshire’s scenic Upper Valley, home to Dartmouth College, which offers rich and diverse cultural and recreational opportunities for all 345 KUA students.

Understanding who you are and how you learn is at the core of KUA Design, our unique approach to education. Through KUA Design, we remove barriers to learning and tap into your natural strengths, all while preserving the cognitive challenges and rigor that are key to academic achievement. Along the way, you’ll be guided by our exceptional faculty, advisors, coaches, and college counselors who will prepare you for productive and meaningful lives in college and beyond. 

At Kimball Union Academy, we offer a range of special programs designed to enrich student experiences and prepare them for future challenges. The KUA Farm is a student-led enterprise that transforms our campus into a living lab, where students engage in sustainable practices by tending to honeybees, livestock, and maple trees, fostering research and entrepreneurship. Our Fire Brigade, a unique program in the US, allows students to volunteer alongside professional firefighters, gaining firsthand experience in emergency response and community service. Additionally, our Scholar Programs offer in-depth exploration in STEM, Global Affairs, and the Arts through a two-year concentration, including co-curricular activities, independent study, and opportunities for collaboration with nearby Dartmouth College, as well as welcoming distinguished visitors for lectures and events.

  Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH) is an independent boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, plus a postgraduate year, located on a 1,353-acre campus in Massachusetts' Connecticut River Valley. We educate 650 students from 60 countries, and 34% of our domestic students are students of color. 

At NMH, we help students discover their passions and instill a sense of purpose through an education for the head, heart, and hands. We empower students to learn with passion, lead with intention, and act with humanity, preparing them to be engaged citizens and leaders. 

Inclusivity, learning for life, and service are our core values. We strive to create a community where every member feels welcomed and valued. We challenge each other to be curious, critical thinkers who confront biases and work towards becoming the best versions of ourselves. Our commitment to service emphasizes the importance of contributing to the community, fostering respect, compassion, and empathy.

Under our distinctive College-Model Academic Program (CMAP), students take three major courses each semester, totaling six per year. Seventy-minute class periods allow time for deeper exploration and stronger teacher-student relationships. The average class size is 13, and the student-teacher ratio is 6 to 1. Our Advanced Scholars Program allows students to take on college-level work and real-world applications through project-based assessments. 

Our program balances academics with athletics, arts, service, and student leadership activities. Students choose from numerous sports teams, performing arts groups, volunteer opportunities, and clubs, allowing them to pursue their passions and discover new interests. 

Our campus life program integrates academic goals with residential experiences, creating a community where students engage with diverse identities and develop their worldviews in a spirit of dialogue. Supported by compassionate mentors through our Connection 360 program, NMH students are challenged academically, empowered within our community, and supported in their journey to becoming critical thinkers, problem solvers, and purposeful citizens. 

 Wilbraham & Monson Academy, voted 7-time TheRepublican/MassLive Reader Raves winner for "Best Private School" in Western Massachusetts, is for students who are looking for a transformational education. WMA is a global experience featuring 23 Advanced Placement courses and various honors tracks and offers a curriculum that integrates the mastery of traditional core disciplines while also incorporating courses specific to our Center for Entrepreneurship, Economics & Finance and our financial Trading Center. Our 4,800-square-foot state-of-the-art iLab, $6.2 million Library and athletic facilities complement our 400-acre campus, allowing students to engage in more than 30 competitive, recreational or civic activities. We aim to create future leaders, who investigate opportunities for intellectual growth, integrate by seeking intercultural connections, and innovate by practicing critical reasoning and entrepreneurial thinking. 

  Founded in 1794, Cheshire Academy is a coeducational college-preparatory boarding and day school for grades 9-12 and postgraduate. With 365 students from 11 states and 21 countries, Cheshire Academy takes a tailored approach, providing students with a wide variety of academic and extracurricular offerings that are optimal to their individual needs, strengths, and interests. Located in Cheshire, Connecticut, the 100-acre campus rests in a quintessential and safe New England community conveniently located between New York and Boston. 

Our supportive, one-to-one college counseling program begins early on, resulting in commitments to some of the country’s most competitive colleges and universities. With a wide range of programming, Cheshire Academy is the only independent boarding school in Connecticut to offer the world-renowned International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which provides a global perspective, challenging students to be independent, critical thinkers concerned and involved with the world around them. 

Cheshire Academy’s signature Art and Music Major programs set the Academy apart, providing individualized guidance on portfolio building and unique pathways to college. Through our optional Roxbury Academic Support Program, our dedicated master’s-level instructors create proactive, independent, competent learners by fostering tools and strategies to meet the rigors of a college preparatory environment and beyond. Cheshire Academy is home to 20+ athletics teams, with nearly 40% of student-athletes in the most recent class going on to play at the collegiate level. 

  Founded in 1907, Berkshire School is a co-ed college preparatory boarding and day school for 425 ninth through twelfth graders and post-graduates, offering a forward-thinking curriculum and state-of-the-art facilities on a 400-acre campus in Sheffield, Massachusetts. Signature programs – such as Advanced Math/Science Research, Advanced Humanities Research, and the Pro Vita Winter Session – coexist with advanced sections and AP offerings in all disciplines. These programs are designed to expand the minds, provide real-world experiences, and help distinguish our students in an increasingly competitive college process. With a range of artistic and athletic offerings and national recognition for our efforts in sustainability, Berkshire is an extraordinary setting in which students are encouraged to learn in the words of the School motto: Pro Vita Non Pro Schola Discimus, “Learning – not just for school but for life.”