Unlocking the world: expert insights on High School Study Abroad – examining afs intercultural programs as an example organisation

Abstract

High School Study Abroad (HSSA), a form of mobility providing temporary physical mobility for adolescents, has been facilitated by various organisations for more than 80 years. Participation in such programs have grown steadily in recent decades, with growing interest in participation. Despite this growth, scholarly attention to HSSA remains limited compared to the extensive research on similar programs at the tertiary level. This exploratory qualitative study aimed to gather perspectives on HSSA through interviews with six experts identified with the support of AFS Intercultural Programs. The expert testimonies are complemented by data from comprehensive desk research. Although the results presented in the article are preliminary, they provide a detailed characterisation of the HSSA sector, its structure, and the historical context in which the phenomenon has developed. The analysis highlights the interplay of macro- and mezzo-level factors shaping program design and operations, as well as those potentially influencing the experiences of individual participants. The findings provide a valuable foundation for future research in the field