High School Abroad Programs in Africa
How would you spend a dream gap year in Africa? Do you picture yourself visiting mountains like Mount Kilimanjaro or Table Mountain? Sand dunes in Morocco? A safari in a national park? Or perhaps a bustling market in a busy city center? No matter what you might be thinking, Africa is a vast continent, and it has it all.
You can choose from studying a new languages and culture, volunteering with nonprofits, or going on adventures in some of the most beautiful natural areas of the world. You'll have the time of your life while also standing out from the crowd when you get home. Go, spend part of high school abroad in Africa, and prepare to fall in love with this beautiful and diverse continent.
Africa is best for students who: have a huge sense of adventure, want to do something off the beaten path, or want to do a service-learning trip.
Volunteer and Service Learning
Volunteering and service learning are popular program types among high school students who want to spend time in Africa. They're an opportunity to explore a new culture and location while simultaneously giving back. Because you will be doing both, some programs have classes in the morning and volunteering in the afternoon (or vice versa). These opportunities can range from a couple weeks to longer term, and typically, you'll be assisting with, rather than leading, a volunteer project.
Languages
Given how many different languages are spoken on the continent, Africa is a fantastic location to learn or improve on another language. Language immersion programs offer students the chance to step up their academic game and gain an edge on their monolingual peers. Some popular options include Arabic, French, and Swahili. Depending on your school’s language requirements, you might be able to fulfill that while overseas or knock out some college credits in advance… what a win-win!
Travel Programs
For students who want to experience Africa at its best but who are limited on time, short-term cultural immersion programs and teen travel programs can fulfill that wanderlust. These are usually more fast-paced, so you might be visiting an NGO one day and then checking out a stampede while on safari the next! Regardless, these teen travel programs have a strong emphasis on academics and learning about the countries they visit through travel. Fun as they may be, they are definitely not a vacation.
Popular Countries
Africa's a huge continent, and each region is different.
For high schoolers, Morocco is a great destination to visit, well known for its markets and historical architecture. They also speak French, English, and Arabic, perfect for language learning opportunities!
South Africa is also full of beautiful natural landscapes, for students interested in outdoor activities like hiking or scuba diving.
For students who want a more off-the-beaten path adventure volunteering or traveling with a teen travel program, consider visiting Senegal or Ghana!
For environmental enthusiasts, take a look at Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana for a classic safari adventure, or off the coast to Madagascar for a truly unique look at some of the best biodiversity in the world.
Student Visa Requirements
Visa requirements will vary from country to country. Generally, students who are planning to stay for a shorter amount of time (a couple of weeks) will be able to enter the country on a tourist visa. Be sure to check the visa requirements of every country you're visiting in advance as some, like Kenya and Tanzania, will require you to pay a fee (usually about $50) in cash on arrival.
If traveling to South Africa, you won't be allowed to enter without proof of a yellow fever vaccination. Talk to your family physician or travel specialist to get vaccinated and / or proof of vaccination to carry with you.
Of course, if you're going through a program provider, they will be able to assist you with your visa needs!
