15 Entrepreneurship Summer Programs Abroad for High School Students
If you are a high school student exploring the idea of creating something of your own, an entrepreneurship summer program can help you understand how people begin that journey.
What are entrepreneurship summer programs abroad for high school students?
You work on identifying a problem, developing a simple approach, and testing your thinking with help from mentors and peers. You learn how early-stage planning works and how each decision influences the next one.
Why should you enrol in entrepreneurship summer programs abroad for high school students?
Attending a program abroad gives you the chance to work in a new environment where the rules and routines may differ from what you know. You meet students who bring different experiences and viewpoints. You see how local industries and communities shape the way new ventures develop. You take part in group work, site visits, and guided sessions that show you how ideas are shaped by local conditions.
If you’re also looking for entrepreneurship programs, check this out, or go here for entrepreneurship competitions.
To support your search for meaningful options, here is a list of 15 entrepreneurship summer programs abroad for high school students!
15 Entrepreneurship Summer Programs Abroad for High School Students
1. Youth Ambassadors Program – World Learning
Location: 30+ countries across the Western Hemisphere, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and more
Cost: Fully funded by the U.S. Department of State (covers airfare, housing, meals, cultural activities, and program materials)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited spots per exchange cycle
Dates: Three-week exchanges between June and August (varies by country)
Application Deadline: Typically December or January for the following summer cycle
Eligibility: U.S. high school students ages 15–17 with demonstrated interest in leadership, civic engagement, and community service
The Youth Ambassadors Program, administered by World Learning in collaboration with Amigos de las Américas and Georgetown University, offers a fully funded three-week cultural exchange for emerging young leaders across the Americas. You will travel to a partner country such as Costa Rica, Brazil, or Argentina to engage in hands-on leadership workshops, entrepreneurship projects, and community service initiatives. The experience includes homestays, cultural excursions, and mentoring sessions that promote civic responsibility, cross-cultural understanding, and innovation. After returning home, students design and implement a Community-Based Service Initiative, applying their new skills to create meaningful local impact.
2. Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)
Location: Providence, RI; New Haven, CT; Los Angeles, CA; Berkeley, CA; Palo Alto, CA; Sydney, Australia
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited spaces per campus cohort
Dates: Varies by campus (typically summer or semester-based sessions)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students; middle school options available at select campuses
The Young Entrepreneurs Program is a free, project-based incubator that helps high school students learn the basics of entrepreneurship and innovation. You work in small teams with support from college mentors as you design and launch ventures that address real business or social problems. Through workshops and guided mentorship, you gain experience in market analysis, financial modelling, product design, and pitching. Each session ends with a presentation to local business leaders or investors, giving you the chance to share your ideas in a professional setting. With campuses across the United States and in Sydney, the program offers a cross-cultural environment that strengthens your business skills, teamwork, and creativity.
3. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% Virtual (live, interactive workshops)
Cost: Varies by program type. Financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small, mentor-led cohorts
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year -Summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (more information here)
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a start-up incubator and boot camp created by Harvard entrepreneurs to give high school students a full look at how a company is built from the ground up. You develop a revenue-generating business idea that responds to a real problem, and you work with mentors who have experience at places such as Google, Microsoft, and X. Throughout the program, you take part in workshops on business basics, ideation, and market research, along with case studies and panel discussions that show how founders think through decisions.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (work from anywhere in the world)
Cost: Varies by program type. Financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort per cycle
Dates: Multiple 8–12 week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling (varies by cohort)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week
Ladder Internships is a selective global program that connects motivated students with high-growth startups in fields such as technology, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, and consulting. You work directly with founders and startup teams on projects that give you a clear sense of the pace and demands of entrepreneurship. You receive guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach and take part in one-on-one and group training sessions that build skills in areas such as communication and time management. The program focuses on hands-on learning, giving you responsibility for real projects and a portfolio of completed work.
5. Future Leaders Exchange Abroad (FLEX Abroad) Program
Location: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Romania
Cost: Fully funded by the U.S. Department of State (includes airfare, housing, tuition, visa fees, and monthly stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 U.S. students annually
Dates: Academic year (August–June)
Application Deadline: December 8
Eligibility: U.S. citizens in grades 9–12 (including homeschool students); all GPAs welcome; details here
The Future Leaders Exchange Abroad Program is a fully funded opportunity for American high school students to study in Georgia, Kazakhstan, or Poland. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, it covers tuition, travel, housing, and all program costs, making it accessible to students from any financial background. You live with a carefully selected host family, attend a local high school, and take part in daily life in your host community. The experience centers on cultural immersion and language learning, and you join community service projects and cultural excursions. Leadership activities that build collaboration, adaptability, and a strong sense of global citizenship are also included.
6. Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad Program
Location: Rotating countries with significant Muslim populations, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, North Macedonia, Senegal, Thailand, and Turkiye
Cost: Fully funded by the U.S. Department of State (includes airfare, tuition, housing, visa costs, and monthly stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 65 U.S. students selected annually
Dates: Academic year (August–June)
Application Deadline: Typically, November
Eligibility: U.S. high school students and recent graduates aged 15–18.5 at the time of departure
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad Program gives U.S. high school students the chance to live and study in countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, it is fully funded and built around cultural exchange, leadership, and community involvement. You live with a host family, attend a local high school, and take part in service and cultural activities that help you adapt to a new environment and strengthen your sense of global citizenship. Through daily immersion, you develop language skills, intercultural communication abilities, and a deeper understanding of the communities you live in.
7. HEC Paris – Junior Entrepreneur Bootcamp
Location: HEC Paris Campus, Jouy-en-Josas, France
Cost: €950 tuition + €30 application fee; non-residential (arrange own accommodation and transport)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited seats filled on a rolling basis
Dates: Summer: July 15–17
Application Deadline: Rolling (pre-registration required; early application recommended)
Eligibility: Motivated high school students aged 15–18; proficiency in French required
The Junior Entrepreneur Bootcamp at HEC Paris is a three-day program that introduces high school students to entrepreneurship and digital innovation. Taught in French, it guides you through modern business models and hands-on workshops led by HEC faculty and industry experts. You take part in lectures, group projects, and startup challenges that build practical problem-solving and creative thinking skills. The program ends with a presentation of your business ideas and the awarding of an official HEC Paris Certificate.
8. HEC Paris – Youth Leadership Initiative
Location: HEC Paris Campus, Jouy-en-Josas, France (just outside Paris)
Cost: €1,950 (non-residential); €30 application fee (waived for alumni and previous participants); includes tuition, lunch, and certificate
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited spots filled on a rolling basis
Dates: July 6–10
Application Deadline: Rolling; pre-registration required to be notified when the portal opens
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 from any country; English proficiency required
The Youth Leadership Initiative at HEC Paris is a weeklong program that helps high school students build self-awareness, communication skills, and a global approach to leadership. Based on HEC’s large campus near Paris, it gives you an international setting where you work with peers from different backgrounds, take part in leadership workshops, and join interactive projects centered on teamwork and practical impact. Through hands-on activities, you strengthen your ability to communicate clearly, lead with empathy, and turn ideas into concrete action.
9. ESCP Business School – International Summer School
Location: Turin, Italy (ESCP Business School, Turin Campus)
Cost: €2,000 per week (early bird €1,500 if applied by February 23; application fee €20; financial partnerships for accommodation available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 50 students from 20+ countries.
Dates: July 6–17 (one or two weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified. Early bird by February 23
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 with at least a B1 level in English
The International Summer School at ESCP Business School in Turin gives high school students an introductory look at global business management in a short one or two-week format. You study core areas such as marketing, finance, strategy, and people management through workshops, company visits, and team projects taught by ESCP faculty. The program focuses on practical learning and international collaboration, and you work with industry professionals. You’ll also participate in business case challenges that build your communication and public speaking skills.
10. IE University – Summer School (Spain)
Location: Madrid and Segovia, Spain
Cost: Tuition varies by program; scholarships available for select participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 170+ nationalities represented annually
Dates: Two-week sessions offered throughout the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application recommended for international students
Eligibility: Pre-university and final-year high school students aged 15–17 from around the world
The IE University Summer School is a two-week academic and cultural program in Spain for high school students looking for an international learning experience. Located on IE's two campuses, Madrid's modern IE Tower and Segovia's historic convent campus, the program combines entrepreneurship, leadership, and cross-cultural learning in a hands-on format. You participate in workshops led by industry professionals, explore business innovation, and work on projects that enhance your creativity, confidence, and collaboration. Outside of the classroom, you experience Spanish culture through city tours, networking events, and group excursions that help you connect with students from around the world.
11. EU Business School – International Summer School (Barcelona, Spain)
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Cost: €3,850 (includes tuition, company visits, activities, and accommodation)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; international cohort of students aged 16–18
Dates: July - August (two-week sessions)
Application Deadline: Rolling; early registration recommended due to limited spots
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 interested in business, entrepreneurship, and global studies
The International Summer School at EU Business School is a two-week program in Barcelona for high school students who are thinking about studying business at the university level. You take part in interactive classes, company visits, and workshops led by EU faculty. You’ll learn the basics of business, leadership, and cross-cultural communication while building teamwork and networking skills. Afternoons are set aside for exploring Barcelona through guided activities and social events, giving you a mix of academic work and cultural experience.
12. Bocconi Summer School – High School Students
Location: Milan, Italy
Cost: €2,700; scholarships available for some students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 300 high school students participate annually
Dates: July 6–17 (two-week program; specific dates may vary)
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application recommended
Eligibility: High school students in their second-to-last or third-to-last year (ages 16+); minimum B1 English level
Bocconi Summer School for high school students is a two-week program in Milan where you study current business topics with university faculty and build skills across a wide set of subjects. You choose two labs from more than fourteen options, one each week, covering areas such as entrepreneurship, digital innovation, communication, and sustainability. The program combines lectures with company visits, project presentations, and workshops that let you work through real problems with peers from more than fifty countries. You’ll learn how to use tools like Lean Startup, Business Model Canvas, and Elevator Pitch. You finish the program with an official Bocconi certificate and practical experience that strengthens university applications and future business projects.
13. Business & Entrepreneurship Summer Courses in Europe – Summer Schools in Europe
Location: Various universities across Europe, including Portugal, France, Belgium, Slovenia, Germany, and Türkiye
Cost: Varies by course (typically €500–€4,000); some universities offer scholarships or Erasmus+ support
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; varies by program and institution
Dates: Primarily January–August (specific dates vary; example: January 5–30, depending on course)
Application Deadline: Rolling; early registration recommended for competitive courses
Eligibility: Open to high school and pre-university students (junior courses available); some programs may require English proficiency
The Business and Entrepreneurship Summer Courses in Europe platform connects you to more than 100 short programs offered by leading universities across the continent. You can study topics such as cross-cultural communication and negotiation in Lisbon, digital transformation and international finance in Nantes, or global sustainability challenges in Leuven. Each course blends academic lectures with workshops, case studies, and networking sessions that bring you together with international students and faculty. You can earn between four and eight ECTS credits while building practical skills in areas like entrepreneurship, marketing, and innovation.
14. AFS-USA – High School Study Abroad Programs
Location: 40+ countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania
Cost: Varies by program; need-based and merit scholarships available to offset costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; thousands of participants annually across multiple destinations
Dates: Summer, semester, and academic year options (specific dates vary by country)
Application Deadline: Rolling; priority deadlines typically between November and March
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18; specific requirements vary by program and destination
AFS-USA offers one of the most recognized high school study abroad experiences in the world, allowing students to live and study in over 40 countries. You will stay with vetted host families, attend local schools, and immerse yourself in new languages, traditions, and cultures. Depending on their goals, you can choose from summer, semester, or full-year programs that emphasize leadership, global citizenship, and intercultural understanding. The program includes comprehensive pre-departure preparation, on-site orientation, and local support networks to ensure a safe and enriching experience. AFS-USA provides high school students with a transformative opportunity to expand their worldview, build independence, and develop cross-cultural and leadership skills.
15. MEI Academy – World High School International Business Program
Location: New York City, Paris, Strasbourg, the Swiss Alps, and Munich.
Cost: $8,995 (program + travel) + $95 registration and extras like insurance/lunches; academic scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 9:1 student-to-staff ratio for personalized learning
Dates: 4-week summer sessions from Late June–mid-August, with travel July 6–30
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application recommended for scholarship consideration
Eligibility: High school students (ages 15–18) with 78–80% minimum in relevant courses
The World High School International Business Program by MEI Academy gives high school students the chance to study global business while traveling through major international cities. You move through locations such as New York, Paris, and the Swiss Alps, earning academic credit through on-site lessons that connect business theory to real settings. The program mixes classroom teaching with experiential learning, including company visits, stock exchange tours, and simulated trading exercises. You work with teachers and business professionals who guide you through topics such as international markets, strategy, and entrepreneurship.
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