Help Public High School Students Study Abroad!

Katherine Lake Start Date: Feb 7, 2023 - End Date: Jun 6, 2023
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Sydney NSW, Australia
  • Toulouse, France
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Singapore, Singapore
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Paris, France
  • Tokyo, Japan

My Travel Story

by: Katherine Lake Start Date: Feb 7, 2023 - End Date: Jun 6, 2023
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
I am so excited to share that over 40 students from my alma mater (Stuyvesant High School) have applied to study abroad with CIEE, the largest nonprofit study abroad program in North America! It will be the first time many of these students will have the opportunity to leave the United States, and they’ll be able to spend 3-4 weeks studying anything from engineering in Toulouse, France to climate change mitigation in Monteverde, Costa Rica (featured in the video!). 

As a 2021 CIEE alumni, I can attest to the growth in global perspective and leadership that CIEE catalyzes. Through living in foreign countries and talking to locals, students are introduced to new cultures, beliefs, and ways of life completely different from their own. I firmly believe the participation of bright young minds is key to driving positive change far beyond their personal lives. 

Unfortunately, the tuition for these programs sits at around $5,500 USD per traveler. The program tuition includes language lessons, cultural classes, excursions, housing, and meals, but notably excludes airfare. Even with CIEE’s solid financial aid program, many accepted students and their families are forced to decline due to financial inaccessibility. Speaking to students coming to terms with this decision last summer was heartbreaking, so this year, I am determined to do all I can to make this enriching experience more than just a dream. 

Last August, I founded Stuy@CIEE: a program within my high school aimed to break down as many barriers to studying abroad as possible, from the logistics of travel to crafting a personal voice in their application. With the direct support of Stuyvesant and CIEE, we have pursued a wide range of initiatives such as application support sessions, monthly newsletters, and fundraising workshops with the eventual goal of extending our support to underprivileged students. We have come a long way in under six months, but the financial barrier is still a daunting one for our student team to overcome alone. As much as we'd love to, we simply can't financially support everyone - but we might be able to change a few lives with your help.

If you could lend any support, whether through donating or sharing this page with others, I would be extremely grateful. All money raised will be given to Stuyvesant HS students to cover the cost of travel with CIEE, providing them with this monumental opportunity to push their education across the world.

You can then follow these students’ journeys via CIEE's website - and maybe a Stuy@CIEE website coming soon. Do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions. Thank you so much for any support - it will go a very long way!
  • Sydney NSW, Australia
  • Toulouse, France
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Singapore, Singapore
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Paris, France
  • Tokyo, Japan

More Travel Information