Frequently Asked Questions

Currently, our biggest homestay-based program is our High School Summer Abroad program (two three-week sessions in June and July). We also offer our semester-long High School Abroad program; however, we are not looking for host families for 2026.

For our high school programs, most students are between 15 and 17 years old and come from every corner of the US. Several of the students are also on partial or full scholarships to enable the study abroad experience.

The summer high school program includes intensive thematically relevant courses Monday through Friday from 9am to 12pm. Academic activities are also planned for the students to support their learning outside of the classroom during selected afternoons.

For our semester-long program, students receive a typical course schedule like a regular Danish high school student at a local gymnasium.

The summer high school program includes mandatory cultural activities nearly every afternoon from approximately 1:30pm to 5:00pm.

Most cultural programming for semester-long high school students runs through the club offerings of the high school (Gymnasium) or through the local community. However, we do offer 3-4 activities per semester for students to socialize with other semester-long students.

In the summer high school program, students have a full day of programming from approximately 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, plus commute time between the host family and the CIEE Study Center in Copenhagen. On one weekend day, students attend a mandatory day trip and a mandatory overnight excursion. One weekend is reserved for time specifically with the host family.

In the semester-long high school programs, students are committed primarily to their course schedule at their high school (Gymnasium) and otherwise have a good amount of free time for homework, clubs and activities, and time with the host family.

Fill out the Contact form or reach out to us through the copenhagen@ciee.org email. We will ask potential host families to fill out a questionnaire about their household, and then we will arrange a home visit in order to get to know you better. Before hosting, all members of the household 18 years old or older must submit a police background check.

Above all, host families are expected to provide a warm, friendly atmosphere for students to feel part of a household and learn more about life in Denmark. Students need to have their own bedroom, access to a bathroom with a shower or bathtub, and the ability to do laundry. Host families are expected to provide breakfast and dinner – either in the form of shared meals or groceries available in the house. When hosting students under 18, there must always be a member of the household over the age of 25 every night for the duration of the program.

We are always looking to expand our network. Do you know other families who would be interested in hosting students? Feel free to connect us with them!

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For more information, please fill out the Contact form or reach out to us through the copenhagen@ciee.org email.

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