Studying abroad for one year of high school

My sister in law is thinking about taking her girls out of high school and moving out of the country for one year to have “an experience”. She and her husband think it would be wonderful for their family. They would have the girls go to school wherever they go and aren’t considering online school. Part of the reason for going would be for the girls to immerse themselves in another culture. They are concerned, though, about re-entry back to their suburban high school, what the girls will have missed academically, and how it might look on college apps.

Does anyone know anyone who has done this? How did they find a school where credit transfers back so the girls could just join back up to their class when they return? What year of high school makes sense to do this? I told her I’d vote for either freshman or sophomore year, but then I was thinking that maybe applying as a high school graduate from abroad might be pretty interesting to colleges and the student won’t be competing against the other kids in her very competitive high school here.

They are thinking of going to maybe France or Spain but are open to other ideas as well.

Thoughts?

There are well established programs, such as SYA = school year abroad, which cater to high school juniors and co-ordinate the curriculum with that expected by US colleges and universities.

SYA offers programs in Spain, France, China, and elsewhere that I cannot recall. Students typically live with host families.

The issue facing your sister-in-law is that her girls may be in different grades & , therefore, unable to attend together.

Also, there several summer program options to consider in many countries.

To state the obvious, a primary benefit to living abroad for a year in high school is the development of proficiency in another language.

Your sister-in-laws intial thoughts may cause a serious disruption of her daughters academic progression in preparation for college. Seems as though a gap year between high school & college might be a better option.

The only folks that I knew personally who did this went before high school but they did supplement the education so their boys wouldn’t fall behind the US curriculum. The mom had a lot of meetings with the school before hand to understand what would be covered the year they would be away, and where there were gaps that she would need to supplement. Lots and lots of planning involved and she felt like she did homeschool quite a bit.

If I recall, the school district made them take placement tests before they could register for honors/AP courses when they returned.

I agree with you that earlier should be easier. I would be worried about being out of the country during standardized testing time, getting LORs, access to GC help, and even campus visits/interviews.

Do the girls speak French and Spanish or will they be in an American school? That might make the process easier for courses but then they’d lose the immersion benefits.

I absolutely wouldn’t do it if it’s to get a leg up on college admission.

FWIW, I think there are some wonderful summer long immersion programs that would be less disruptive to the US educational process.

Another option is a Swiss boarding school. Interesting because they attract students from around the globe, although the families tend to be very wealthy, so students may miss out on a cultural immersion experience.

Moderator’s Note:
Please have your sister start an account and ask for help.