cetacademicprograms.com

Innovators in Study Abroad Since 1982

Diversity & Inclusion

Welcome to the

Studying abroad influences you in a multitude of ways—you build confidence and independence, explore a world beyond your comfort zone, and learn new things about yourself. Use the information on this page to give yourself a better idea of what life could be like for you or your future peers. As always, if you have any questions, give us a call!  

Resources from Alumni

Perspective Pieces

These are alumni-written essays that reflect upon how their own identity affected their time abroad (both good and bad) and what it was like to navigate another culture in their position. We encourage you to read these to better understand what studying abroad could be like for you or your future peers.

Are you a Pre-College at CET alumnus? Consider telling us about your time abroad. 

Blog Posts

This is a curated list of blog posts chosen specifically to provide context for life abroad. Posts here may cover culture shock, diversity, daily life and workload, etc. To see all posts from pre-college students abroad, head to the Student Voices blog. 

Alumni Insight

Sometimes it’s best to hear it from students who have been there. The following are a few select quotes from recent program evaluations, reviews, and blogs to help you understand different facets of the study abroad experience.

"Make sure you know that this isn't an easy program, and that you need to be prepared to be challenged mentally and socially, but that it's a great experience and totally worth it."
"However, one of the nice things about being Chinese is that I blend in. I don’t deal with people randomly taking my picture or automatically speaking English or slow Chinese to me. I can walk around without getting stared at and enjoy the anonymity of being surrounded by people who look like me. I enjoy it, in fact!"
"There was a lot of work involved, and just as much homework, so don't go into this program expecting an easy ride. It took effort, but it was extremely rewarding. Keep in mind that these classes give college credit, and expect as much."
"Being both in a new social group and a completely different environment was certainly a challenge—but it allowed me to learn that even people who seem like complete opposites to you can share something in common."
"Independent living in a space loosely overseen by adults without my parents physically in my daily life had greatly simulated college life as my work schedule was largely self monitored. Learning to know others and make meaningful relationships outside the comfort of country, culture, and home I think had challenged my character to prepare myself for higher education."
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Your Daily Life Abroad

Weekly Structure

Have breakfast with your homestay family then make your way to the CET for class. Classes are typically held in the mornings, Monday through Thursday. In the afternoons, you might have an individual check-in with your Program Leader, go with your group on an excursion in the city, or participate in a group discussion or reflection on the issues covered in class that morning. Fridays are reserved for day-long excursions and cultural activities with your group and on-site staff.

Your evenings are spent with your homestay family. Learn how to cook their traditional dishes. Watch a movie in the local language together. Or spend time with them in their favorite parts of the city.

During weekends, you can expect to have free time, some group activities and excursions, and occasionally some regional travel. 

Accommodating needs

We make every effort possible to offer accommodations comparable to what you might find at your home school. Disclosing early helps us to make proper preparations and work with you to determine if a program will be a good fit.

Experiencing a new culture

Going abroad means diving into a new culture. The streets are unfamiliar, the food is different, and the people you interact with might not speak English. But these are exactly the things the kinds of things that help you learn and grow as a person if you’re open and thoughtful to the experience. 

Program Group

As a high school student, most of your days are spent alongside your program cohort. You attend classes and excursions together and may share a homestay with another CET student. It’s important to not only prepare for culture shock, but also the differing dynamics of your own program group. You may meet students of different upbringings, political views, etc.—but these intragroup dynamics can create long-lasting friendships and contribute to your own growth if you remain flexible and understanding.

Your Home Abroad

Students on CET Global Perspectives programs abroad live in homestays. You live with a local family selected by CET and/or our on-site host institution. Learn more about our homestay family vetting process.

For non-homestay programs, you live in close proximity with your group and residential staff in a dorm or guesthouse. 

Regardless of your housing setup, on-site staff are always around to supervise, plan activities, and provide support whenever you may need it. 

Meals

Your meals are included with your program fees. For homestay students, your breakfasts, dinners, and all weekend meals are taken with your host family—with the exception of scheduled meals with the program group.

Most other meals are taken together as a group, but some will be had individually at home or in campus cafeterias or in small groups within a designated perimeter. Your dietary restrictions and allergies are collected at the start of the term, and your program staff accommodate these needs in all group meals to the best of their ability. 

Questions? Get in touch!

Brian Wiehr

Brian Wiehr

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

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