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As the school year comes to an end, high school students are left with roughly 2 months of free time. This summer vacation can be spent in a myriad of ways; whether one chooses to embark on a vacation, enlist in test preparation classes or summer school, slave over the deep fryer at the local McDonalds, intern in a business suit or commit to obtaining the next best gear in World of Warcraft, there will always be something to do.

For those who have chosen to reject all of those possible activities in hopes of finding a pastime more interesting or appealing, there are many summer programs targeting high schoolers with specific interests.

Business minded students can participate in various camps and classes focusing on the many aspects of the industry. I, myself, plan to attend a free two-week business camp hosted by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), where I will be developing a business plan for my entrepreneurial venture.

Students with a particular interest in science can apply to the competitive Columbia University Science Honor Program (SHP). At this program, students conduct extensive and graduate level research on primarily physical, chemical, biological, behavioral, and computing sciences.

Artsy and creative students also may consider several different options in terms of summer programs, ranging from film production, photography, studio design, fashion and many more. There is a wide array of such programs listed, mainly in New York, which can be found here.

But if you’re looking for more than just a cabin to lodge in or a daily commute to class, going abroad to study a specific curriculum is always an option. These programs can take you over seas to foreign countries and faraway places such as Beijing, Germany, France, and Brazil.

So when contemplating over how to spend your summer, why not consider studying abroad? Get your community service hours by building houses in Vietnam, discover the secrets of global business in Dubai, or even study marine biology on the coasts of Costa Rica instead of in a lab.

Several organizations specializing in this field of study are listed here. Although most programs require a, usually, large sum of money, the experience is definitely one of a kind and worthwhile. So if you get the opportunity to attend a study abroad program, I’d say take it and run with it.