High School in the Netherlands

Moving away from your support network and into a new and unfamiliar environment can be difficult even for the most well-adjusted students. Students with pre-existing mental health conditions may find this adjustment particularly challenging, which could worsen any issues they were previously facing. 

We conduct a thorough screening of all applicants to ensure they are in the right mindset to participate. While the majority of students are eligible to participate, we may not be able to accept students who have recently struggled with mental illness and/or are reliant on medication to treat mental illness in order to protect the student’s well-being. 

Pre-existing mental health conditions include, but are not limited to:

• Severe anxiety
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

For students prepared to take on the challenge, absolutely. It is, however, important to consider a student’s level of maturity prior to the program because it directly impacts their success. 

Ideally, our programs will push students beyond their comfort zone and into what is referred to as their stretch zone. It’s in the stretch zone that learning, growth, and development - along with challenges and risk - occur. 

If a student is not ready and/or willing to move beyond their comfort zone, plunging into a new and unfamiliar environment could actually have an adverse effect and place them in what is referred to as the panic zone. Parents should make an honest assessment of their child’s maturity level and understand that study abroad will not fundamentally change their child’s personality or behavior when considering the program.

While abroad, your child will be fully supported. First, they will receive a personal Program Manager to assist with everything from the initial request to your child’s departure. Then, they will be supported abroad by a dedicated Local Coordinator who will frequently check in on the student and provide monthly progress reports. Your child will have the contact information of their Local Coordinator and can contact them at any time. There is also a 24/7 emergency line managed out of ISE headquarters.

No. Visits of any kind are not allowed during our programs. If you plan to visit your child, you should plan to do so after the program has ended.  

There are many benefits to attending high school abroad, including but not limited to:

• Developing new language skills
• Developing problem-solving skills
• Identifying interests to better select your college major
• Inspiring insightful college admissions essays
• Improving academic scores upon your return home
• Developing cross-cultural collaboration skills

We can’t offer any guarantees that certain classes will be offered at your host school. We can provide you with general curriculum information, but often students are not able to sign up for specific classes until after they arrive in the host country. In certain instances, virtual high school options for required classes might be a useful option.

You will not be able to take the SATs while abroad. We highly recommend that you take the SATs prior to or after the program.

Upon successful completion of the program, everyone is guaranteed a Certificate of Attendance. Transcripts (i.e. grades) have to be earned. To earn the grades, you will have to excel in your classes abroad, in the language of your destination country. All of our high schools abroad are accredited institutions, therefore their grades are transferable to the United States. Please visit Scholaro for more information on translating and evaluating grades from abroad. As part of the preparation process, you have to check with your guidance counselor which classes/credits you will need to graduate or to advance to your next year of high school. Some classes, such as US History might not be offered abroad, and therefore you will have to find a way to earn those credits either before your study abroad year or after. One option to consider is a virtual high school.

Yes! We offer a post-high school Gap Year Program. Visit our Gap Year Program page for more details.

Yes. Additional expenses to consider include (estimates):

• Stationary and school supplies: $100
• School excursions and trips: $50
• Cell phone service: $20-$50/month
• Personal expenses (shopping, movies, nights out, etc.): $300/month
• Bus pass/transportation: $10-$20/week

Post-high school programs are gaining popularity for a multitude of reasons. First, there is a lot of research that points to a Gap Year program as a great source of academic growth, language learning, and cross-cultural work experience. Also, it contributes greatly to personal growth and development. A Gap Year allows students to re-examine their goals, gain new perspectives, make friends from diverse backgrounds, and learn more about themselves. Visit our Gap Year program page for more details.

Participants in our Gap Year program may participate in several different roles and activities, including but not limited to:

• Teacher’s Assistant
• Volunteering/Community Development
• Farming & Sustainability