15 Leadership Programs Abroad for High School Students
Leadership programs abroad can be a powerful choice for high school students interested in business, finance, entrepreneurship, or management. By participating in leadership programs abroad, you gain exposure to real-world challenges that go beyond classroom learning.
What do leadership programs abroad look like?
Leadership programs abroad involve working with peers from different countries, engaging with mentors, and learning how organisations operate in international contexts. You develop leadership skills that you can later apply to your own projects, student organisations, or entrepreneurial ideas, while also learning how to navigate cultural differences and global perspectives.
Why should you consider leadership programs as a high schooler?
These programs place you in real-world situations that demand critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and initiative; skills that are essential for future leaders, founders and decision makers. This practical model allows you to test your interests early and better understand how leadership functions in practice. Such experiences also strengthen your profile by demonstrating independence, curiosity, and global awareness. Many leadership programs abroad also offer mentorship and networking opportunities with professionals, educators, or founders who can provide guidance on academic and career decisions.
If you’re looking for in-person programs in the US, you can have a look at leadership pre-college programs for high school students. If online options work better, you can check out virtual leadership programs.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 leadership programs abroad for high school students.
15 Leadership Programs Abroad for High School Students
1. Future Leaders Exchange Abroad (FLEX Abroad) Program
Location: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Romania
Cost: Fully funded by the U.S. Department of State (covers airfare, housing, tuition, visa fees, and monthly stipend)
Dates: Academic year (August–June)
Application Deadline: December 8
Eligibility: U.S. citizens in grades 9–12 (including homeschool students); all GPAs welcome
The Future Leaders Exchange Abroad (FLEX Abroad) Program is a fully funded academic-year exchange that allows you to attend high school in countries such as Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, or Romania, experiencing daily life from the inside out. Beyond academics, you'll take part in community service projects, cultural activities, and leadership-focused programming that help you grow more confident, adaptable and globally aware. FLEX Abroad covers all major expenses, including tuition, travel, housing, and living costs, making the program accessible regardless of financial background. You live with a host family, enrol in a local secondary school, and participate fully in everyday life. You'll build language skills, learn new perspectives and develop mutual understanding through direct engagement with your host country.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (rolling applications)
Eligibility: High school students interested in entrepreneurship and leadership
Young Founders Lab is a startup boot camp designed to help high school students build a revenue-generating business from the ground up. The program guides you through identifying a real-world problem, validating ideas, and developing a startup solution, giving you firsthand insights into the workings of early-stage companies. You learn directly from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals affiliated with companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X. The curriculum includes interactive workshops on business fundamentals, ideation, product development, and go-to-market strategy. You also participate in case studies, panel discussions, and skill-building sessions focused on leadership, decision-making, and execution. By the end of the program, you'll gain a concrete startup framework and practical leadership experience that can be applied to future entrepreneurial pursuits.
3. United Nations Young Leaders Online Training Programme
Location: Virtual (UNITAR e-Learning Platform; United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Geneva-based)
Cost: Paid program (fee varies by session; certificate included)
Dates: Four-week sessions offered multiple times per year; June 8–July 3 (June edition)
Application Deadline: Rolling; registration closes once 30 participants are enrolled
Eligibility: High school students, university students, and other young leaders aged 15–24 interested in global affairs and leadership
The United Nations Young Leaders Online Training Programme is a four-week leadership program abroad for high school students to dive into the structure, values, and practical work of the United Nations. You will study core topics such as the UN system, conference diplomacy, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and global communication through self-paced modules. Learning is reinforced through live webinars led by UN experts and interactive e-workshops focused on leadership, negotiation, and career development in international and public services. You will participate in discussions with peers from around the world, building cross-cultural communication skills and gaining insights into how international cooperation and diplomacy function in practice. The program concludes with an official certificate of completion issued by UNITAR, which you can use to demonstrate global leadership training and international engagement.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Paid internship; compensation varies by startup
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (typically 8–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week
The Ladder Internship Program is a selective work-learn experience that places high school students with high-growth startups from around the world. As an intern, you'll work directly with startup founders and managers on real-world projects across fields such as technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and business development. A core strength of the program is its mentorship model. You'll receive one-on-one guidance from both your startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach throughout the experience. The program emphasises leadership development through hands-on responsibility, professional communication, time management, and problem-solving. You will collaborate with teammates and attend cohort-based training sessions throughout the program. The experience culminates in a final presentation, where you showcase your contributions directly to the company.
5. Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom (University of Oxford)
Cost: £8,995 (all-inclusive: accommodation in Oxford University college housing, meals, academic instruction, excursions, and airport transfers)
Dates: July 18 – 31
Application Deadline: Applications open (recommend early submission; Early Bird discount may apply)
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 with strong English proficiency
The Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy is a two-week residential program that empowers high school students with advanced leadership, innovation, and global problem-solving skills. You’ll participate in lectures and interactive workshops led by Oxford faculty, industry experts, and university tutors. These focus on leadership theory, entrepreneurial thinking, ethical decision-making, and future-focused topics such as artificial intelligence and innovation. The course places an emphasis on project-based learning and real-world problem solving, helping you build a portfolio of work that demonstrates critical analysis, creative thinking, and practical application. You will live alongside peers from around the world, fostering global connections and intercultural communication.
6. HEC Paris Youth Leadership Initiative – HEC Paris
Location: Jouy-en-Josas, France (HEC Paris campus near Paris)
Cost: €1,950 (non-residential; excludes housing and transport)
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: Applications open soon; pre-registration required
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18; English proficiency required
The HEC Paris Youth Leadership Initiative is an international summer program that helps high school students develop leadership capacity, communication skills, and a global mindset. The program is taught entirely in English on HEC Paris’s main campus, where you study alongside motivated peers from around the world. The program places an emphasis on self-awareness, teamwork, and ethical leadership through interactive workshops, group challenges, and applied leadership exercises. You will practice working in international teams while strengthening your ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently. Faculty-led sessions focus on translating leadership theory into real-world impact, helping you understand how leadership principles apply in schools, the community, and future professional settings. By the end of the program, you receive a certificate of completion and a structured framework for applying leadership skills in global and local settings.
7. ESSEC Business & Leadership Immersion Program for Youths
Location: ESSEC Asia-Pacific, Singapore
Cost: SGD 2,500 (includes meals, course fees, and activities; accommodation not included)
Dates: June 29 – July 3
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18 (Grades 10–12); no prior business background required; English instruction
The ESSEC Business & Leadership Immersion Program for Youth is a five-day summer experience for high school students interested in understanding the fundamentals of business and in developing practical leadership skills at a globally recognised business school. Held at ESSEC’s Asia-Pacific campus in Singapore, this program combines academic workshops with hands-on learning in areas such as marketing, finance, sustainability, and artificial intelligence. Throughout the week, you’ll engage with ESSEC faculty and industry professionals through interactive lectures, group projects, and a real-world Project Challenge in collaboration with partner companies. You’ll also participate in a career workshop, network with peers and professionals, and apply your insights in team settings that build analytical thinking and communication skills.
8. SMU Young Leaders Summer Programme
Location: Singapore Management University City Campus, Singapore
Cost: SGD 3,500 (includes tuition, on-campus accommodation in twin-sharing rooms, meals, activities, and local sightseeing; excludes international travel and personal insurance)
Dates: July 13 – 18 (arrival July 12; departure July 18)
Application Deadline: December 1 - April 30
Eligibility: High school students (at least 16 years old by July 1, and under 19 years old on July 31) with strong academic records and English proficiency
The SMU Young Leaders Summer Programme is a one-week academic enrichment experience for outstanding high school students from Asia and around the world. The programme focuses on cultivating leadership potential, including analytical reasoning, communication, collaboration, and creative thinking, through seminars, workshops, and group projects. You will engage in interdisciplinary learning tailored to real-world leadership challenges, collaborate with diverse peers, and take part in out-of-class experiences that complement academic sessions. Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll receive a certificate of participation, enhancing both personal growth and future academic pursuits.
9. Youth Leadership and Innovation (YLI)
Location: Singapore (Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS Bukit Timah Campus)
Cost: Not publicly listed
Dates: February 9 – 13
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school students in Grades 10–12 with strong English proficiency
The Youth Leadership and Innovation (YLI) program is a five-day experiential leadership initiative for high school students who want to deepen their understanding of leadership, innovation, and global business dynamics. The program blends interactive workshops with collaborative activities that build critical thinking, communication, and strategic problem-solving skills. You will participate in four discussion-driven workshops: Leadership in Environmental Sustainability, Effective Communication and Presentation, International Business, and Leading for Innovation and Change. These sessions provide frameworks and practical tools to tackle real-world challenges, cultivate creativity, and inspire team-based innovation. The program culminates in a small group presentation, enabling you to apply what you’ve learned in a collaborative capstone project.
10. HEC Paris – Junior Entrepreneur Bootcamp
Location: HEC Paris Campus, Jouy-en-Josas, France
Cost: €950 tuition + €30 application fee (non-residential; students arrange their own accommodation and transportation)
Dates: July 15–17
Application Deadline: Rolling (pre-registration required; early application recommended)
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 with proficiency in French
The HEC Paris Junior Entrepreneur Bootcamp is a selective three-day summer program that introduces you to entrepreneurship and digital innovation in a university setting. Delivered entirely in French, the program combines lectures, interactive workshops, and team-based startup challenges led by HEC Paris faculty and industry professionals. The focus of the bootcamp is on how modern businesses are built, from innovative business models to creative problem-solving in a digital world. You develop creative thinking, teamwork, and presentation skills during the bootcamp, while working on a business idea from concept to pitch. The experience concludes with a final presentation of your project, where you showcase your ideas and receive an official HEC Paris Certificate, providing early exposure to elite business education in an international environment.
11. ESCP Business School – International Summer School
Location: ESCP Business School, Turin Campus, Turin, Italy
Cost: €2,000/week (early bird rate of €1,500 if applied by February 23) + €20 application fee; accommodation available through partner options
Dates: July 6–17 (one- or two-week option)
Application Deadline: Early bird deadline: February 23
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18 with at least a B1 level of English proficiency
The ESCP Business School International Summer School is a selective short-term program that introduces high school students to global business and management in an international academic environment. Over one or two weeks, you study foundational topics such as marketing, finance, strategy, and people management through interactive workshops led by ESCP faculty. Learning goes beyond lectures, with business case challenges, team-based projects, and company visits that show how business decisions are made in the real world. One of the highlights of the program is working alongside students from more than 20 countries, strengthening your cross-cultural communication and teamwork skills. As you present ideas and work through group challenges, you'll gain confidence in professional presentation and public speaking abilities, while learning how business concepts apply in the real world.
12. IE University – Summer School
Location: IE University Campuses, Madrid and Segovia, Spain
Cost: Tuition varies by program; scholarships available for select participants
Dates: Two-week sessions offered throughout the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application recommended for international students
Eligibility: Pre-university and final-year high school students ages 15–17
The IE University Summer School is a two-week academic and cultural program in Spain designed for high school students who want to live in an international university environment. You'll study across two iconic campuses, viz. the IE Tower and its historic Segovia campus, exploring themes such as entrepreneurship, leadership, and global perspectives. Classes are highly interactive, with project-based learning, case studies and workshops led by IE faculty and industry professionals. You'll develop your skills in innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving, applying what you learn to real-world challenges. Outside the classroom, you engage in cultural activities, city tours, and networking events, giving you a feel for Spanish culture and an opportunity to connect with students from around the world.
13. EU Business School – International Summer School
Location: EU Business School, Barcelona, Spain
Cost: €3,850 (includes tuition, accommodation, company visits, and program activities)
Dates: Two-week sessions held between July and August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early registration recommended due to limited capacity
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18 interested in business, entrepreneurship, or global studies
The EU Business School International Summer School is a two-week program in Barcelona for high school students interested in studying business and entrepreneurship in the future. You participate in interactive classes taught by EU faculty that introduce core topics such as business fundamentals, leadership, and cross-cultural communication. The program includes company visits and hands-on workshops, giving you insights into how businesses work outside the classroom. You strengthen your teamwork, presentation, and networking skills through group activities and collaborative projects. Outside of class, you take part in guided cultural excursions and social events that highlight Barcelona’s global business culture.
14. Junior Leadership Program
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Cost: CHF 3,950 (one week); CHF 7,100 (two weeks)
Dates: July 19–25; July 19–August 2
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Students aged 16–18
The Geneva School of Diplomacy & International Relations Summer School gives you an immersive introduction to global affairs and diplomacy in the heart of Geneva, one of the world’s leading international cities. Over one or two weeks in July, you engage with topics like global leadership, negotiation, and public speaking through interactive lectures, simulations, and real-world case studies. You’ll learn from experienced practitioners and academics while collaborating with a small, internationally diverse cohort of peers. The programme enhances your understanding of global leadership, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. It’s designed for motivated high school students who want a firsthand look at how diplomacy works and how international leadership works. By the end, you’ll have expanded both your global perspective and your confidence in navigating complex world challenges.
15. Student Self Leadership for Teens – Blanchard Institute
Location: Virtual (online, live sessions)
Cost: Free (no cost to participate)
Dates: Four-week program; upcoming session runs February 26 – late March
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students ages 14–18
Student Self Leadership for Teens is a four-week online leadership program abroad that helps high school students build self-direction, confidence, and communication skills. You will participate in weekly one-hour live virtual sessions led by leadership experts from the Blanchard Institute, with additional interactive activities hosted on the Intrepid® learning platform. The curriculum emphasises goal setting, personal accountability, and learning how to ask for support effectively in academic and personal settings. Throughout the course, you'll complete structured exercises and earn digital badges that track your progress and skill development. Upon completion of the program, you become eligible to apply for a $2,500 scholarship and receive a digital credential that can be shared online.
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