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All Summer 2023 Programs
Career Barcelona
Travel to Barcelona this summer and gain insights into the business of sport and the modern media landscape. Work with seasoned professionals and learn about career paths and professional opportunities in this exciting field. Take daily classes in sports management and sports business, step onto the pitch at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium, attend professional sports matches, and delve into the worlds of sponsorship and brand management.
Career Belize
Travel to Belize this summer and learn how the country’s wildlife conservation efforts have become a model for the rest of the world. Shadow professionals and explore a potential career path in zoology and marine biology. Interact with veterinarians at The Belize Zoo, talk to conservationists at animal sanctuaries, and study marine life alongside scientists as you explore Belize’s barrier reef.
- June 25, 2023 – July 12, 2023
- July 22, 2023 – Aug 8, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14-16 students, 2 leaders
Career Germany & Sweden
Travel to Germany and Sweden this summer and dive into the history of the automobile industry in these two influential countries, and witness how tech and automotive companies are propelling us into the future. Learn about automation and design with visits to BMW and Volvo factory headquarters. Explore careers relating to engineering, automotive design, and urban planning as you meet and learn from professionals in this exciting field.
Career Ireland
Explore the Emerald Isle during your student travel in Ireland as you expand and refine your writing skills with a select group of passionate, like-minded peers. Under the guidance of published and acclaimed writers, write in historic taverns, medieval ruins, and overlooking the low-lying beaches of the mythical Irish Sea. Participate in Ireland’s lively storytelling tradition at readings, concerts, plays, city parks, and village taverns.
Career Italy
From the farms, fields, and olive groves to the dinner table, food traditions are the beautiful beating heart of Italian identity. During this student travel program in Italy, get a firsthand look at how inspiring individuals have built careers out of a passion for food. Together with fellow food lovers, immerse yourself in Italian life and the country’s storied food culture. Expand your understanding of sustainable food systems as you sow, harvest, cook, and savor your way through Italy.
- June 24, 2023 – July 8, 2023
- July 9, 2023 – July 23, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14-16 students, 2 leaders
Career Peru
Travel to the Sacred Valley of the Peruvian Andes and explore how traditional and modern approaches are incorporated into medicine and public health. Meet with NGOs and government leaders to learn about the roles that government and international health groups play in providing rural community-based health care. Join health practitioners in the field, connect with local people in the communities you visit, and experience the dynamic intersections of history, tradition, and contemporary culture from Lima to Cusco to the iconic ruins of Machu Picchu.
Career Switzerland
Immerse yourself in diverse and cutting-edge scientific research this summer in three distinct regions of Switzerland, a country renowned for its cultural offerings, dramatic landscapes, and leading laboratories. On this high school travel program, meet with researchers in physics, biotechnology, astronomy, and climate science. See firsthand how their work is addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, expand your understanding of scientific advances, and explore possible career paths in science and technology.
- July 1, 2023 – July 14, 2023
- July 15, 2023 – July 28, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14-16 students, 2 leaders
Exploration Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji
Immerse yourself in the culture and wonder of the South Pacific on this summer program for high school students to Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. Experience the island paradise of Fiji, the alpine winter landscapes of New Zealand, and the rugged Outback and spectacular coral reefs of Australia. Go beyond the typical tourist experience and engage with places and cultures in exciting ways.
- June 24, 2023 – July 25, 2023
- July 1, 2023 – Aug 1, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 16–18 students, 2 leaders
Exploration Bhutan
Explore Bhutan, the world’s last Himalayan kingdom, where the Gross National Happiness index shapes governance, the natural environment is constitutionally protected, and Buddhism is integrated into everyday life. Trek to remote villages, learn to meditate with monks, and meet with national leaders to discuss the ways this country is accepting and resisting the forces of globalization.
Exploration Croatia
Travel abroad to Croatia this summer and road trip from the cosmopolitan capital city of Zagreb to the spectacular Dalmatian coast and historic port of Dubrovnik. On this high school student travel program, explore the country’s rich cultural heritage and history as a former Yugoslav republic, from the customs of the countryside to the vibrant city cafés, markets, and street art. Embrace adventure as you kayak, camp, hike, bike, and snorkel along the Adriatic coast and experience Croatia’s picturesque islands.
Exploration Faroe Islands & Iceland
Travel abroad this summer on an adventurous student travel program to the Faroe Islands, where puffins congregate and waterfalls tumble directly into the sea. On these 18 islands in the North Atlantic, enjoy the warm hospitality and culture of the Faroese as you explore their home by land, sea, and air. En route, spend three days among Iceland’s glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes.
- July 17, 2023 – July 31, 2023
- July 3, 2023 – July 17, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14-16 students, 2 leaders
Exploration France & Holland
Travel to France and Holland on this adventurous student travel program for middle school students. Experience the sky-scraping Alps and the dazzle of Paris, the bucolic Dutch countryside and the charming canals of Amsterdam. This summer, go abroad to hike, bike, and explore the most beautiful landscapes and cities of northwestern Europe, and savor its rich heritage.
- July 3, 2023 – July 19, 2023
- July 6, 2023 – July 22, 2023
- Grades: 7–8
- 16-18 students, 2 leaders
Exploration Hawaii
With rushing waterfalls and soaring volcanic peaks, fascinating heritage and stunning beaches, the Big Island is the ultimate tropical paradise. Travel to Hawaii this summer and experience its remarkable ecosystems up close through hands-on experiences and local service work. Along your journey, engage with Hawaiian culture and embrace adventure as you stargaze and learn how Hawaiians navigated by the constellations; lend a hand on conservation-focused service projects; and get up close to fascinating marine life on snorkeling, surfing, and kayaking excursions.
Exploration Iceland
Travel abroad this summer on an adventurous middle school program to Iceland, where tectonic plates burst from the earth and glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanoes abound. Experience the green energy infrastructure and climate leadership of Reykjavík, trek across magnificent glaciers, spot whales off the northern coast, and learn about the effects of climate change on Iceland’s landscapes as you road trip around the country’s Ring Road.
- July 3, 2023 – July 16, 2023
- July 19, 2023 – Aug 1, 2023
- Grades: 7–8
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Exploration Italy & Greece
Travel to Italy and Greece this summer—where the pillars of Western civilization were built—and dive into the histories of their ancient societies, adventure through their dramatic landscapes, and immerse yourself in the contemporary culture of vibrant cities, towns, and coastal villages. Experience the living legacy of the Greek and Roman Empires against a backdrop of magnificent temples, rich mythology, and stunning seascapes.
- June 29, 2023 – July 15, 2023
- July 3, 2023 – July 19, 2023
- June 25, 2023 – July 11, 2023
- June 21, 2023 – July 7, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 18–21 students, 3 leaders
Exploration Japan
Dive into Japan’s unique mix of modern culture and ancient traditions this summer as you experience Japanese cityscapes, stunning mountains and wilderness, and historic sites. From Tokyo to Kyoto to Hiroshima and more, explore vibrant city life and pop culture amid neon-lit skyscrapers, then head beyond city limits to scale tranquil hilltops, visit centuries-old shrines and temples, hike ancient pilgrimage routes, and sample regional cuisine like ramen and wagashi along the way.
- June 22, 2023 – July 12, 2023
- June 28, 2023 – July 18, 2023
- July 3, 2023 – July 23, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14-16 students, 2 leaders
Exploration Kilimanjaro
Travel to Tanzania this summer and trek to the “Roof of Africa.” This Mt. Kilimanjaro program combines Putney’s most challenging outdoor adventure—climbing Africa’s highest peak—with a safari in two of the world’s most renowned wildlife parks: Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park. Our alpine adventure and safari explores the intersection of culture, ecology, climate, and local livelihoods in Tanzania. Learn about climate change, mountain ecology, porter and guide culture, wildlife conservation, and the past, present, and future of safari travel and trekking in East Africa.
Exploration Patagonia: Skiing
Cool off your summer by heading south to explore the wilds of Patagonia on a winter student travel adventure to the “end of the world.” Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Buenos Aires, then venture toward the Antarctic Circle into the open, blue horizons of Patagonia. Explore the majestic power of azure glaciers descending from remote mountain peaks and ski and snowshoe through the peaceful, snow-covered forests of Tierra del Fuego near Cerro Castor.
- July 20, 2023 – Aug 5, 2023
- July 27, 2023 – Aug 12, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 16–18 students, 2 leaders
Exploration Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland
From the mountain trails and summer snowfields of the Swiss Alps and the Italian Dolomites to the rich culture of Florence and Paris to the bike paths, cheese markets, and beaches of rural Holland, join us to experience Europe as an actively engaged traveler with a group of like-minded students. This is the original Putney Student Travel program, first led 69 years ago by founders George and Kitty Shumlin.
- June 25, 2023 – July 28, 2023
- July 3, 2023 – Aug 5, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 16-18 students, 2 leaders
Language Ecuador & the Galápagos
Practice your Spanish daily on this high school language immersion and service program in Ecuador, as you work hand-in-hand with local friends in a small village. Undertake meaningful community service initiatives this summer and spend a week with a homestay family. Volunteer to construct a community center, shadow farmers as they harvest crops, and cook meals alongside your host parents. Explore the Andean páramo, and snorkel, hike, and kayak in the incredible Galápagos Islands to cap off your program.
- June 23, 2023 – July 20, 2023
- July 14, 2023 – Aug 10, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Language France
Immerse yourself in French language and culture as you explore villages and cities in five regions of France. During your travels, bike to village markets and interview local fishermen, make truffles with an artisan chocolatier, savor the high culture and cuisine of Paris, surf in the Mediterranean, hike to glaciers in the Alps, and spend a week with a French host family.
- June 27, 2023 – July 29, 2023
- July 3, 2023 – Aug 4, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Language France
Immerse yourself in French language and culture as you explore the cosmopolitan cities and off-the-beaten-track villages of France. During your travels, explore Mont Saint-Michel and the D-day beaches in Normandy, savor the high culture and hidden neighborhoods of Paris, swim and picnic beneath the Pont du Gard, try zip-lining or surfing, and spend five days becoming part of a French family.
Language Spain
Immerse yourself in Spanish language and culture as you visit renowned art museums and explore ancient castles, learn to surf on Spain’s northern coast, hike and ride horseback in the Picos de Europa mountains, and pair up with a local teenager for a language exchange and daystay. End your student travel program in Spain on the gorgeous beaches of the Costa del Sol after outdoor adventures in the Alpujarras region.
- June 22, 2023 – July 24, 2023
- July 2, 2023 – Aug 3, 2023
- June 25, 2023 – July 27, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Language Spain
Immerse yourself in Spanish language and culture as you visit Madrid’s renowned art museums and explore ancient castles, surf on Spain’s northern coast, hike and ride horseback in the Picos de Europa mountains, and pair up with a local teenager for a language exchange and daystay. Cap your student travel program in Spain on the gorgeous beaches of the Mediterranean.
- July 2, 2023 – July 22, 2023
- July 9, 2023 – July 29, 2023
- Grades: 7–8
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Pre-College Barcelona
Join us in Barcelona for an insider’s experience of Spain on this Pre-College summer program for high school students. Broaden your horizons with in-depth, field-based seminars as you become part of an inspiring and supportive community of instructors and students from around the world. Choose two seminars and dive into your subject matter through engaging discussions and hands-on projects that immerse you in Catalán life.
Pre-College Colby College
Join a community of motivated and intellectually curious students for one or both sessions of our Pre-College program at Colby College. Choose one seminar per session and take part in engaging discussions and hands-on projects that allow you to explore new interests or dig deeper into existing passions. Get a taste of college life as you become part of an inspiring and supportive community of Putney Pre-College faculty and students.
- June 25, 2023 – July 7, 2023
- July 9, 2023 – July 21, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 80–100 students, 12 staff
Pre-College Harvard Youth Summit on Climate, Equity, & Health
Join like-minded students, engaging educators, and inspiring mentors this summer for a climate change program with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Choose an Action Focus and delve into climate issues related to your interests, strengths, and passions. Gain perspective from world leaders and politicians. Meet inspiring activists, scientists, renewable energy innovators, and … Continue reading
Pre-College Oxford Academia
This summer’s high school sessions of Oxford Academia welcome intellectually driven students to learn from the finest teachers, scholars, and industry professionals at Oxford University, one of the world’s oldest and most esteemed universities. This summer program offers students the full Oxford experience as you choose an academic major and minor, pursue your subjects in the company of motivated peers, and engage with course material under the guidance of distinguished academics.
Pre-College Paris Academia
Paris Academia welcomes intellectually driven high school students to learn from the finest teachers, scholars, and industry professionals at the American University of Paris, located in the heart of the 7th arrondissement. This summer program offers students a full Parisian university experience as they choose an academic major and minor, pursue subjects in the company of motivated peers, and engage with course material under the guidance of distinguished educators and academics.
Pre-College Siena Academia
Siena Academia welcomes intellectually driven high school students to the University of Siena this summer to learn from the finest teachers, scholars, and industry professionals in their fields. Based in a stunning, walled medieval city in the heart of Tuscany, this academic summer program offers the full European university experience as you choose an academic major and minor, pursue your subjects in the company of motivated peers, and engage with course material under the guidance of distinguished academics.
Pre-College Tokyo
Join us in Tokyo for an insider’s experience of Japan on this Pre-College summer program for high school students. Broaden your horizons with in-depth, field-based seminars as you become part of an inspiring and supportive community of instructors and students from around the world. Choose two seminars and dive into your subject matter through engaging discussions, site visits, and hands-on projects that immerse you in Japanese life.
Service Argentina
Immerse yourself in village life in Argentina on this high school service program. Begin by spending several days in Buenos Aires, a bustling port city boasting cultural influences from the diverse regions of Argentina, blended with European-influenced architecture. Then head north to your host community in the Salta region to dive into service. Work alongside locals on meaningful, community-identified construction projects, while you engage with the rich culture and landscapes of this incredibly diverse country, from renowned asados to colorful Andean peaks.
Service Costa Rica
Live and volunteer in a rural Costa Rican village and work side-by-side with local people on meaningful community service projects. Wake each morning to the sounds of howler monkeys and exotic birds and spend the day building a community center or classroom, teaching English, or running a summer camp for local kids.
- June 18, 2023 – July 2, 2023
- June 22, 2023 – July 13, 2023
- June 30, 2023 – July 21, 2023
- June 26, 2023 – July 24, 2023
- July 5, 2023 – July 19, 2023
- July 15, 2023 – July 29, 2023
- July 21, 2023 – Aug 4, 2023
- July 28, 2023 – Aug 11, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Service Costa Rica
Travel abroad to a welcoming village in Costa Rica and complete volunteer projects on this summer service program for middle school students. Work on projects such as painting a classroom, building a rainwater harvesting system, preparing a soccer field, and teaching English to schoolchildren. Surf and snorkel along Pacific beaches, spot wildlife and zipline, and stay at an ecolodge at the base of Arenal Volcano.
Service Dominican Republic
Travel abroad to a welcoming village in the Dominican Republic to complete volunteer projects on this community service summer program designed especially for middle school students. During this student travel program, work on small-scale construction projects, teach English to local children, and learn to dance the bachata. Spend the night on a gorgeous white-sand beach and enjoy an excursion to the central mountains to raft and ride horseback.
- June 29, 2023 – July 20, 2023
- July 2, 2023 – July 23, 2023
- Grades: 7–8
- 12–14 students, 2 leaders
Service Ecuador & the Galápagos
Live in Ecuador’s Andean highlands on this summer community service program. During your student travel program in Ecuador, join members of a local Kichwa community in meaningful service projects—lend a hand with light construction work, participate in water access initiatives, teach schoolchildren, or help with the local harvest. Then, explore the otherworldly landscapes and extraordinary wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, home to giant tortoises, lava tunnels, equatorial penguins, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies.
- June 27, 2023 – July 24, 2023
- July 3, 2023 – July 30, 2023
- July 10, 2023 – Aug 6, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Service Ecuador & the Galápagos
Travel to Ecuador’s Andean highlands and Galápagos Islands on this summer service program especially designed for middle school students. During your student travel program in Ecuador, live for nine days in a welcoming Kichwa community and engage in meaningful service projects—lend a hand with light construction work, participate in water access initiatives, teach schoolchildren, or help with the local harvest. Then, in the company of your group and leaders, explore the otherworldly landscapes and extraordinary wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, home to giant tortoises, lava tunnels, equatorial penguins, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies.
- June 30, 2023 – July 17, 2023
- July 16, 2023 – Aug 2, 2023
- Grades: 7–8
- 12–14 students, 2 leaders
Service Fiji
Join us for three weeks in the South Pacific on this summer service program in Fiji. During your student travel program in Fiji, work alongside community members to complete a small-scale construction project and volunteer your time at the local kindergarten. Experience this unique culture first-hand as you get to know our Fijian hosts and explore the mountains, coast, and coral reefs of this alluring island nation.
- June 22, 2023 – July 13, 2023
- July 6, 2023 – July 27, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Service Hawaii
Dive into the lush landscapes, inviting waters, and rich traditions of Hawaii this summer, on the Big Island and Maui. These volcanic islands have evolved a rich and unique biology and culture, both of which are under pressure from outside forces, ranging from tourism to climate change and invasive species. On this high school service program, collaborate on projects centered on environmental conservation and cultural revitalization as you work with local organizations, meet with Native Hawaiians, and learn about the islands from a unique perspective. Help preserve the islands’ volcanic and marine environments, and cap off the trip with snorkeling, hiking, and camping on Maui.
- July 1, 2023 – July 14, 2023
- July 15, 2023 – July 28, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14-16 students, 2 leaders
Service India
Travel to Ladakh, India, this summer and immerse yourself in a Himalayan community, joining in daily life and collaborating on education and environmental projects. Support young Ladakhis at the community school as they prepare for college entrance exams, help harvest food from the organic farm, cook meals, and learn about climate change as you help maintain the school’s extensive solar energy system. Take an excursion to the bustling trade town of Leh on the Silk Road, visit Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and meet snow leopard conservationists. Travel to a village nestled in a Himalayan valley lined with apricot trees and barley fields to work alongside community members to build a passive solar community resource center.
Service Laos
Immerse yourself in Laos’ stunning landscapes and its rich cultural and religious traditions this summer. Begin in the northern city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, steeped in Buddhist history and architecturally influenced by a history of French colonialism, evident in colorful temples and vibrant markets. Explore how the true beauty of this country lies in its communities, the traditions and history that live on in these contemporary communities, and the relationship of these traditions to the country’s rich landscapes. Join members of a small host village to collaborate on meaningful service projects and experience the environmental diversity and magic of “the Land of a Million Elephants” as you trek through lush rainforests, learn firsthand about elephant conservation efforts, and experience Lao village life.
- June 29, 2023 – July 20, 2023
- July 20, 2023 – Aug 10, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14-16 students, 2 leaders
Service Morocco
Travel this summer to Morocco, an eclectic country of cosmopolitan cities and ancient medinas, spanning from the Atlantic coast to the Atlas Mountains. Explore Marrakesh, then head into the mountains to complete service projects in an indigenous Amazigh (Berber) community. Learn about local effects of climate change and how Morocco is leading Africa in efforts to combat it, then cap your program in the beachtown of Essaouira.
- June 28, 2023 – July 18, 2023
- July 19, 2023 – Aug 8, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Service Peru
Immerse yourself in village life in Peru’s Sacred VALLEY on this high school community service program. During your student travels in Peru, work alongside locals on meaningful construction, teaching, and farming volunteer projects, while you experience the colorful and rich culture of the descendants of the Incas. Throughout the program, visit some of the most iconic sites of the Inca empire, including Machu Picchu.
- June 23, 2023 – July 13, 2023
- July 14, 2023 – Aug 3, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Service Puerto Rico
This summer, work alongside residents, conservationists, and young Puerto Ricans who are aiming to restore and protect the island’s ecosystems, from tropical rainforest to coral reefs. Meet with leaders and changemakers who are spearheading community-scale solar initiatives and sustainable farming practices. Participate in the farm-to-table process and learn how it is applied in different areas on the island, and get inspired by the breadth of opportunities in the field of conservation.
- June 22, 2023 – July 5, 2023
- July 6, 2023 – July 19, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 16–18 students, 2 leaders
Service Tanzania
Immerse yourself in village life in Tanzania as you join local people to volunteer on several community-initiated projects. During your student travel program in Tanzania, collaborate on small-scale construction projects and teach English and math to local school children. On your final week abroad, venture out on a specially designed safari that combines world-class wildlife viewing in Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park with a stay in a remote Maasai village.
- June 27, 2023 – July 19, 2023
- July 3, 2023 – July 25, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Service Thailand
Travel to Thailand and immerse yourself in Chiang Rai, a city set in lush tropical jungle. On this high school service program, build connections with local schoolchildren as you develop lesson plans and tutor them in the English language. Experience Thailand’s rich culture and spend two days at an ecolodge deep in the jungle learning about local hill tribes. Visit an elephant sanctuary and cap your program with a trip to the city of Chiang Mai, a Thai cultural hub.
- June 21, 2023 – July 7, 2023
- July 12, 2023 – July 28, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
Service Vietnam
Travel abroad to Vietnam and immerse yourself in the life of a coastal village on this summer service program for high school students. Collaborate with community members as you engage in service projects and build lasting connections with local people. On weekends, head to Vietnam’s vibrant city of Hanoi and the picturesque city of Hoi An.
- June 27, 2023 – July 24, 2023
- June 30, 2023 – July 28, 2023
- Grades: 9–12
- 14–16 students, 2 leaders
