HOW TO APPLY
The Experiment offers high school summer abroad programs in more than 10 countries and virtual exchange programs. Participants explore the world through hands-on experiences in local communities and through the lens of a specific theme.
If you do not have a valid passport through February after your program concludes, please apply for one immediately. The U.S. Department of State is not currently offering rush passport services, and passport applications could take up to 14 weeks or more to process.
We’re still enrolling summer and fall 2025 virtual programs. Apply now!
Summer abroad 2026 programs go live late August. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Enrollment requests after February 15 are not guaranteed.
Applicants are also required to participate in a short interview with one of our staff members.
Leadership Institute applicants must also respond to an additional essay prompt (500-1,000 word essay).
Applicants who have already submitted their application and whose admissions status remains Incomplete should contact their admissions counselor directly to review the status of supporting documents and to confirm The Experiment’s receipt of your Homestay Letter, and Passport Copy. Your status will be updated to Complete once all supporting documents are received and reviewed.
Most programs abroad are open to all students who have completed their 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade year but have not yet entered college or university.
To be accepted, all prospective Experimenters must demonstrate the following admissions criteria through their online application and interview:
Leadership Institute applicants must also have:
If you do not have a passport valid through the end of February after your program concludes, apply for one now, especially if your program requires a visa. (Many countries require your passport be valid for at least six months or longer beyond the dates of your program.) If you have not had a medical physical since May 2023, make an appointment as soon as possible. We encourage you to visit the U.S. State Department’s passport website for more information. Because of delays in processing passports, the U.S. State Department warns that passport applications may take up to 14 weeks process, so please apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible.
You are responsible for making sure that your immigration documents are in order for international travel. These may include a U.S. alien registration card, a valid passport, a visa for the country or countries you would be visiting, and a U.S. reentry permit. Consult the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service office in your area, and the embassy or consulate of the country you will visit as soon as possible. Some documents can take as long as three months to obtain.
Our virtual exchange programs connect high school students around the world using dynamic digital platforms. Students gain new thematic knowledge and interact with their peers through videos, chats, dynamic workshops, interactive lessons, and games.
For assistance with your application, watch our video tutorials.
Most virtual exchange programs are open to students between the ages of 14–19 who are currently enrolled in high school and have not yet started college. Students should have regular access to the internet, basic English language competency, and a demonstrated motivation to complete their program. Select your program to view full eligibility requirements.