Preparing Your Child For The Global Future

Thank you for considering CET as your partner in ensuring a global education for your child. We value your trust and welcome your family’s active participation in the process. Sending your child on a summer or semester program away from home is a big decision and CET is committed to meeting your expectations. From offering an academically challenging experience, to ensuring your child’s health and safety, to prioritizing meaningful connections with locals, we’ll make sure your student has an enriching experience that’s also a lot of fun! Through it all, CET will communicate with you and be available to discuss any questions or concerns.

Why Study Away?

When students study abroad or participate in a domestic pre-college program, they:

Are challenged personally and academically—many have said that participation in the program helped them gain an appreciation of difference, a broader perspective, and new skills.
Gain insight into academic interests they’d like to pursue in college and become better prepared to pursue further college-level coursework.
Build cross-cultural skills necessary to be a global citizen and confidently navigate the world.
Have the time, space, and platform to explore different careers and pursue their own interests.
Develop skills to build their résumé and strengthen college applications, like learning another language.
Leave their comfort zone and grow as a person—developing greater self-awareness and resilience.

What to Expect from CET

We know sending your student off for the summer is a big decision, and we want you to know we’re here every step of the way.

ASSISTANCE AT EVERY STAGE

We’re ready to assist however we can. Whether your student is in the decision phase, finishing their application, or preparing to go abroad, we make sure they have what they need, when they need it.

SUPPORT WHEN YOU NEED IT

You’ll have access to a 24/7 emergency support line to get in contact with CET at any time. You’ll also be provided staff contact information for less urgent and non-emergency questions and concerns. Learn more about staff support here.

HOST FAMILY CONNECTIONS

You’ll have the opportunity to connect with your child’s host family in advance of the program. Learn more about host family vetting and selection here.

health & safety

Your child’s health and safety is our number one priority. Whether it’s our extensive staff training, vaccination requirements, comprehensive insurance on programs abroad, the supervision of our Senior Manager of Health & Safety, or even the emergency plans and procedures set in place—we’ve thought through it all. Learn more about our approach to health & safety and COVID-19 here.

inclusive program fees

Like you, we want your student to focus on the experience—so we’ve designed our high school programs to be as inclusive as possible. Students pay for their flights and personal spending, and we take care of the rest. See a detailed list of inclusions in the Costs section of each program page. Learn about our financial assistance and scholarships.

What Parents Say

We aim to help every student and their family have a positive experience on a CET program. But don’t just take it from us! Check out the results of our 2018 survey of parents whose children participated in a CET summer program.

PRE-DEPARTURE SUPPORT

100% of respondents said that CET “provided adequate information pre-departure regarding my students’ experience and expectations” and were available “to answer questions during the pre-departure process.”

Health & Safety

100% said they felt very “confident that student health and safety were addressed appropriately” and that “CET staff communicated health and safety concerns to me in a timely manner.”

STAFF AVAILABILITY

100% agreed that “CET staff were available to address any questions I had while my student was abroad.”

PROGRAM OUTCOMES & VALUE

100% said they “would recommend this program to other families.” And a majority of parents felt their “student was challenged academically”, “gained new or broader perspectives”, and that “the CET program was a good value for the cost.”

“Although this is called CET Academic Programs, your student will also come away with an incredibly rich cultural experience as well. I was blown away by all of the activities the students did outside of the classroom.”

- Parent of a Pre-College at CET student, Summer 2018

“I didn’t know how my daughter (who struggles with anxiety-related issues) would hold up for 4 weeks in a foreign land. It was completely her decision to step up to the plate and accept the challenge, and I am so grateful that she did. The busy pace of academic work and scheduled exploration kept her focused and occupied and learning constantly. She returned home with inspiration, pride and self-confidence! What an amazing way to start off a gap year!”

— Joan Webber, Pre-College at CET Florence parent, Summer 2018

Innovators in Study Abroad Since 1982

CET Academic Programs is a study abroad organization that has been developing and operating innovative educational programs abroad since 1982. Originally “China Educational Tours,” CET began operations in Beijing, and today offers a varied portfolio of semester, summer, and customized programs for college, high school, pre-college, and gap year students around the world. Learn more about CET.

CET Values

Known for strong academics, professional program management, and supportive student services, CET strives to integrate students into their host communities, adopt environmentally conscientious practices, and promote diversity and inclusion across all programs. CET maintains membership, shares best practices with, and contributes to several professional groups such as Diversity Abroad, the Gap Year Association, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Questions? Get in touch!

Brian Wiehr

Marketing & Outreach Manager,
High School & Pre-College Programs
202.650.7521
[email protected]