Start exploring Writing & Humanities summer programs for high schoolers

Dates:

Not confirmed for 2027

Length:

6–7 weeks

Cost:

$0

Location:

Abroad (Arabic, Chinese, Korean, or Russian language host countries)

Grades:

U.S. high school students ages 15–18; U.S. citizens (completed grades 9–12)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Nov 12, 2026

Fully funded six-to-seven-week summer language immersion abroad from the U.S. Department of State, where high school students study Arabic, Chinese, Korean, or Russian for at least 120 hours, live with host families or in monitored housing, and take part in cultural activities.

Dates:

Jun 28–Jul 15, 2027

Length:

18 days (about 3 weeks)

Cost:

$9,750

Location:

Leiden, the Netherlands (with excursions from Amsterdam to Antwerp)

Grades:

Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders (completed grades 9–11)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Priority · Dec 30, 2026

Three-week seminar in Leiden for a small group of intellectually ambitious high schoolers, studying the historical and philosophical texts behind Jewish thought and the modern world in seminars of no more than ten, with museum, archive, and historic-site visits and kosher meals and Shabbat observance.

Dates:

Jun 21–Jul 2, 2027

Length:

2 weeks (12 days)

Cost:

$5,550–$6,550

Location:

Boston, MA

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through current high school students; younger students with strong readiness considered

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Priority Dec 31, 2026 · Regular Feb 28, 2027

Two-week history research and writing workshop where each student develops a research paper on a historical topic of their own choosing, with daily group instruction and seminar discussion, one-on-one conferences with instructors, and afternoons of research and writing in a research library.

Dates:

Jul 19–30, 2027

Length:

2 weeks (12 days)

Cost:

$5,550–$6,550

Location:

Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through current high school students; younger students with strong readiness considered

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Priority Dec 31, 2026 · Regular Feb 28, 2027

Two-week history research and writing workshop where each student develops a research paper on a historical topic of their own choosing, with daily group instruction and seminar discussion, one-on-one conferences with instructors, and afternoons of research and writing in a research library.

Dates:

Jul 5–16, 2027

Length:

2 weeks (12 days)

Cost:

$5,550–$6,550

Location:

The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through current high school students; younger students with strong readiness considered

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Priority Dec 31, 2026 · Regular Feb 28, 2027

Two-week history research and writing workshop where each student develops a research paper on a historical topic of their own choosing, with daily group instruction and seminar discussion, one-on-one conferences with instructors, and afternoons of research and writing in a research library.

Dates:

6 sessions between Jun 6–Aug 13, 2027 (2 weeks (12 days) and 10 weekends options)

Length:

2 weeks (12 days)–10 weekends

Cost:

$3,650

Location:

Online (Zoom)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through current high school students; younger students with strong readiness considered

Format:

Online

Deadline:

Priority Dec 31, 2026 · Regular Feb 28, 2027

Online history research and writing workshop. Each student drafts a research paper on a historical topic of their choice, with group sessions on the historian's craft and one-on-one coaching.

Dates:

Aug 2–13, 2027

Length:

2 weeks (12 days)

Cost:

$5,550–$6,550

Location:

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through current high school students; younger students with strong readiness considered

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Priority Dec 31, 2026 · Regular Feb 28, 2027

Two-week history research and writing workshop where each student develops a research paper on a historical topic of their own choosing, with daily group instruction and seminar discussion, one-on-one conferences with instructors, and afternoons of research and writing in a research library.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 21–Aug 6, 2027 (2 weeks (12 days) options)

Length:

2 weeks (12 days)

Cost:

$6,250

Location:

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Grades:

Rising juniors and seniors (graduating high school in 2028 or 2029; completed grades 10-11); 16 years old by June 13, 2027 and under 19 through July 31, 2027

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Priority Jan 13, 2027 · Regular Feb 10, 2027 · Late Mar 31, 2027

Two-week residential, noncredit program at Harvard where high school students live on campus and take one college-level course from nearly 30 options (average class size 15), with three hours of class a day plus college-readiness workshops, academic talks, social events, and trips around Boston and New England.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 19–Aug 8, 2027 (1 week and 3 weeks options)

Length:

1 week–3 weeks

Cost:

$2,125–$7,550

Location:

Interlochen, MI

Grades:

9-12

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Priority Jan 15, 2027

Students live in cabins on Interlochen's campus and spend the session in one arts focus, with daily instruction and time for camp activities.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 19–Jul 21, 2027 (10-day seminar (12 days on campus) options)

Length:

10-day seminar (12 days on campus)

Cost:

$0

Location:

Notre Dame, IN (University of Notre Dame)

Grades:

Completed 11th grade

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Credit:

1 transferable Notre Dame credit (on satisfactory completion)

Students live in Notre Dame residence halls and spend the session in one seminar taught by Notre Dame faculty, with activities outside class.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,000

Location:

Shanghai, China

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Residential (Homestay)

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Students build a creative art portfolio; includes a traditional Chinese opera workshop and a hands-on pottery workshop, plus an overnight excursion to Wuxi.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$6,500

Location:

Athens, Greece

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Students build an art portfolio using traditional (ceramics, fresco) and modern (photography, documentary) mediums. Excursion to Tatoi (former royal estate) and a performance at the Athens Epidaurus Festival.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,500

Location:

Florence, Italy

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Studies the Medici family's influence on Renaissance art/politics. Visit to Arcetri Observatory (Galileo) and a day trip to Pisa.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,600

Location:

Rome, Italy

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Mosaic art, fresco painting, photography and filmmaking workshops. Excursions to Tivoli and Florence.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,350

Location:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Residential (Homestay)

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Visits to CopenHill (waste-to-energy plant/ski slope) and wind turbines; dialogue with The Green Youth Movement. 3-day stay on Samsø island at an eco-farm (Yduns Have). Students develop their own climate advocacy strategy.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$8,100

Location:

London, England

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Students build a creative writing portfolio; excursions to Stratford-upon-Avon and a literary walking tour of Oxford. Culminates in an Open Mic session at CIEE.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$6,750

Location:

Athens, Greece

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Students collaborate on a drama script performed live or on film. Visits to the Ancient Agora and Temple of Poseidon for writing inspiration.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,650

Location:

Rome, Italy

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Students write and present an original myth/story. VR experiences of ancient Roman sites. Excursion to Sperlonga (Villa di Tiberio) and Tuscany/Florence.

Dates:

Jul 8–28, 2027

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$8,800

Location:

Athens, Greece / Rome, Italy

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Traveling program across two capitals. Students collaborate on a drama script performed live or on film. Visits the Acropolis, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Villa Borghese (Character Creation Workshop), and Cinecittà World film studio. Excursions to Nafplio and Florence. Only the Academic Merit Award scholarship applies - the need-based Global Navigator Scholarship is NOT available.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,200

Location:

Edinburgh, Scotland

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Writing workshops covering gothic narratives, crime tales, and mythological legends, including an on-site lesson at Rosslyn Chapel and a final recording session at OffBeat (a BBC-approved) recording studio. Oral storytelling evenings with local writers and performers; excursions to St Andrews and the Highlands.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,350

Location:

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Day trips to The Hague (meetings with policymakers, a visit to the International Court of Justice) and Brussels (EU decision-making bodies), plus a role-playing simulation at the Parlamentarium in Amsterdam. Students work in groups to debate positions on a current global challenge.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,150

Location:

Brussels, Belgium

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Residential (Homestay)

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Students live with a host family in Brussels. The session includes visits to the European Parliament (including the Hemicycle) and the Parlamentarium, and ends with a student debate on a current global challenge and a proposed peace-building initiative. There is a day trip to Dinant and the Caves of Han, plus a hands-on chocolate-making workshop.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$5,850

Location:

Tallinn, Estonia

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Residential (Homestay)

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Visit to the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn with senior diplomatic officials. Negotiation simulations and conflict resolution exercises; students propose a peace-building initiative. Excursions to coastal cities (Pärnu, Kuressaare, or Haapsalu).

Dates:

Jul 8–28, 2027

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$9,150

Location:

Seoul, South Korea & Taipei, Taiwan

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Multi-destination program starting in Seoul (debates on current East Asian issues, a visit to the DMZ) and culminating in a final mock negotiation in Taipei; overnight excursion to Hsinchu, Chiayi, and Kaohsiung (including the TSMC Museum of Innovation) via Taiwan's high-speed rail. Only the CIEE Academic Merit Award is available for this program -- the need-based Global Navigator Scholarship (GNS) is not.