High School Study Abroad Scholarships

There are a variety of scholarships available for high school students who want to travel and study abroad. These scholarships can cover expenses such as program fees, airfare, travel insurance, and visa application fees, making it possible for students to gain valuable international experience without incurring a hefty financial burden. Studying abroad can be a transformative experience for high school students, allowing them to immerse themselves in different cultures, gain new perspectives, and develop valuable skills such as independence and adaptability. It can also enhance their college applications and demonstrate their global awareness and willingness to step out of their comfort zone. Some notable scholarship opportunities include the Congress–Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX), which offers full scholarships for a year of study in Germany, and the Future Leaders Exchange Abroad (FLEX Abroad) program, which provides full scholarships for a year of study in Georgia, Kazakhstan, or Poland. Additionally, the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad program offers full scholarships for American high school students to study in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, or Southeast Europe. These scholarships not only provide financial support but also offer students the chance to form lasting connections with their host families and communities.

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program offers full scholarships for high school students to study in Germany

If you're a high school student looking to travel and study abroad, there are a variety of scholarship opportunities available to you. One such opportunity is the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX), which offers full scholarships for high school students to spend an academic year in Germany.

About the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program

The CBYX is a youth student exchange program founded in 1983 and jointly sponsored by the United States Congress and the German Bundestag. The program funds exchange opportunities for German and American students through grants to private exchange organizations in both countries. Over 26,000 students have participated in the program since its inception, making it one of the most popular exchange programs in the world.

The CBYX scholarship provides full funding for high school students to spend an academic year in Germany, attending a German school, and living with a host family. The scholarship includes orientation and language programs, as well as travel opportunities within Germany. The program culminates in a conference in Washington, D.C.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for the CBYX scholarship, applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 18 years old and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. The scholarship is merit-based, and preference is given to students who have not previously participated in an international exchange program or lived abroad for an extended period. No previous language skills are required, but applicants should have a passion for learning languages and a strong desire to immerse themselves in German culture.

How to Apply

Applications for the CBYX scholarship are typically due in December of the year before the scholarship year. After submitting a full application, select students will be invited to interview with selection committees in various locations across the United States. These committees then put forward the best candidates to receive the scholarships, which are approved by the administering organizations.

Administering Organizations

The CBYX program is administered by several organizations in the United States, including AFS Intercultural Programs, American Scandinavian Student Exchange, and Youth for Understanding. These organizations work in partnership with sister programs in Germany to facilitate the exchange.

In conclusion, the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program offers a valuable opportunity for high school students to study in Germany through full scholarships. The program provides a unique cultural and educational experience, allowing students to immerse themselves in German life, gain new perspectives, and build lasting connections.

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad Program provides full scholarships for American high school students to live and study in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, or Southeast Europe

The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad Program is a fully-funded scholarship programme that gives American high school students the opportunity to live and study in select countries with significant Muslim populations for an academic year. The programme is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and specifically, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It was initiated in 2009 as a reciprocal extension of the Kennedy-Lugar YES programme, which brings students from countries with significant Muslim populations to the U.S.

The YES Abroad programme is merit-based and highly competitive, with around 65 American students participating each year. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens, aged 15-18.5 years, and enrolled in high school at the time of application. The scholarship covers all costs, including airfare, room and board, school tuition, cultural enrichment activities, secondary medical benefits, visa fees, and a modest stipend.

The programme's primary goal is to promote mutual understanding between the U.S. and host countries. Students live with local host families, attend a local high school, and engage in cultural activities to learn about the host country's society and values. They also serve as "youth ambassadors" of the United States, educating others about American society and values while acquiring leadership skills.

Since its inception, the YES Abroad programme has been offered in the following countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Senegal, Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Egypt, Jordan, and many others. The specific countries included in the programme may vary from year to year.

The Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad programme provides a unique opportunity for American high school students to gain first-hand cultural exchange experience, develop leadership skills, and build lasting connections with communities around the world.

The National Security Language Initiative for Youth offers full scholarships for language immersion programs in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, and Turkish

The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) is a U.S. Department of State program that offers full scholarships for language immersion programs in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, and Turkish. The NSLI-Y program is part of a broader U.S. government initiative, the National Security Language Initiative, which seeks to improve Americans' ability to engage with people from around the world. The program aims to foster international cooperation and spark a lifelong interest in foreign languages and cultures.

NSLI-Y provides intensive language immersion programs for American high school students aged 15-18, with no prior language study required. The program offers students the opportunity to live with host families and fully immerse themselves in the culture and daily life of the host country. Students can choose to study abroad during the summer or for an academic year.

The NSLI-Y program is merit-based and seeks applicants who represent the diversity of the United States. Students of all racial, ethnic, religious, gender, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The initiative prioritises languages that the U.S. government has identified as critical to national security and international relations.

The scholarship covers the cost of the language immersion program, allowing students to gain valuable cultural knowledge and linguistic skills. The host locations for the programs include countries such as Estonia, China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Latvia, Morocco, Taiwan, Tajikistan, and Turkey, depending on local health and safety conditions.

The NSLI-Y application process typically opens in September, with scholarships available for summer or academic-year programs. The specific eligibility requirements and application procedures can be found on the NSLI-Y website.

The Rotary Foundation offers scholarships of up to $25,000 for students to fund one year of academic study, room and board, and other associated expenses

There are a variety of scholarships available for high school students who want to travel and study abroad. The Rotary Foundation, for example, offers scholarships of up to $25,000 for students to fund one year of academic study, room and board, and other associated expenses. This funding is available through the Rotary Foundation Global Grants.

The Rotary Foundation is one of the largest and longest-running private study abroad funding programs. It offers scholarships for students to study at the secondary, undergraduate, or graduate level. The scholarships are funded by local fundraising, or with Rotary Foundation district or global grants. The Rotary Foundation also offers scholarships for college graduates and professionals to study peace and conflict resolution.

The scholarship funding is extremely competitive, and students who receive the funding are named Cultural Ambassadors. They are expected to give presentations on their home culture while abroad and on their study abroad destination's culture upon returning home.

The Global Grant Scholarship replaced the former prestigious Academic-year Ambassadorial Scholarship in 2013. Scholarship recipients must pursue study and research that aligns with Rotary's worldwide causes and six areas of focus:

• Peace and Conflict Resolution
• Economic Development
• Education and Literacy
• Disease Prevention and Management
• Water and Sanitation
• Maternal and Child Health

There are also a number of other scholarship opportunities for high school students who want to study abroad. The U.S. Department of State, for example, offers full scholarships for American high school students to study abroad for an academic year in countries such as Germany, Poland, and Kazakhstan. There are also scholarships available for students who want to study in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, or Southeast Europe. These scholarships allow students to live with host families, attend local schools, and gain skills to be competitive in the global workforce.

The Experiment in International Living offers a variety of need-based and merit-based scholarships to high school students looking to participate in their program

There are a variety of scholarship opportunities for high school students who want to travel abroad. The Experiment in International Living, for instance, offers a range of need-based and merit-based scholarships for students looking to participate in their program. This includes the Geographic Diversity Scholarship, which is for students from underrepresented states or regions, as well as those who are the first from their school to take part in the program. There is also the Home School Student Scholarship, which is exclusive to homeschooled students, and the Thematic Focus Scholarship, which is for students with an interest in theatre. These scholarships range from $250 to $3,000 and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Experiment in International Living is a worldwide program that has been offering homestays, language, arts, community service, ecological adventure, culinary, and regional and cultural exploration programs since 1932. It is administered by World Learning, a non-profit organisation based in Brattleboro, Vermont, in the United States. The program currently offers 17 high school summer abroad programs in 15 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain.

In addition to The Experiment in International Living, there are other scholarship providers for high school students who want to travel abroad. The U.S. Department of State, for example, offers full scholarships for American high school students to study abroad for an academic year in countries like Germany, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Southeast Europe. The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) is another scholarship program that offers full scholarships for high school students to study languages such as Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, and Turkish while living with a host family.

Other notable scholarship programs include the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program, which provides full scholarships for high school students to study abroad in Germany, and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad, which offers full scholarships for American high school students to live and study in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, or Southeast Europe. These programs provide invaluable opportunities for cultural immersion, language learning, and the development of lifelong friendships with host families and communities.

Frequently asked questions