What Happens After High School Summer Abroad Ends?

The following blog was written by a student intern on a Summer 2026 CIEE high school abroad program. 

As CIEE Kyoto Culinary Arts students wrap up their journey into Japanese culture, cuisine, and community-building, we’re all asking: What’s Next? These students came from all levels of culinary skill and Japanese cultural knowledge. Some have already worked for years in kitchens, while others own their own catering business. Some have studied Japanese as a hobby, while others are leaving the United States for the first time. What have they taken away from their study abroad experience, and how do they plan to use the skills and memories they’ve gained?

I’ll let the students speak for themselves:

Logan Carter | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Hello everyone! My name is Logan, and I’m from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I’m an aspiring chef and the owner of a small catering business called ShefLogan. I started cooking at 11 years old during the COVID-19 pandemic, which sparked my passion for food and inspired me to turn it into a business. This fall, at 17 years old, I’ll be attending Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, where I’ll be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Food Science with a minor in Culinary Arts.

1.⁠ ⁠How are you spending the rest of your summer?

I will be spending the rest of my summer selling platters, catering events, and continuing to grow my business. I’ll also be preparing for college while balancing my catering business before classes begin.

2.⁠ ⁠What’s the first dish you’re cooking when you get home? What Japanese dish are you most excited to make?

When I get home, I’m excited to make beef udon, onigiri, and a bento box for my family and friends. These three dishes stood out to me the most during the program, and I can’t wait to recreate them at home.

3.⁠ ⁠Best thing(s) you bought?

The best things I bought were Japanese snacks, souvenirs for my family and friends, and a few kitchen items such as a Japanese knife with my name on it that I’ll use with my own cooking.

4.⁠ ⁠What’s next for you? High school, college, work?

Next, I’ll be starting college at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte. I’m excited to continue learning about food science and culinary arts while growing my catering business and working toward my dream of becoming a successful chef and entrepreneur.

5.⁠ ⁠How do you feel about studying abroad again or coming back to Japan?

I absolutely love studying abroad. This is my second study abroad experience with CIEE. Last year I studied in Morocco, and this year I had the opportunity to visit Japan. Both experiences opened my eyes to new cultures, foods, and traditions, and I would definitely love to study abroad again and return to Japan someday.

6.⁠ ⁠What’s a cool experience you had while on the program?

One of the coolest experiences was wearing a kimono, talking with the locals, and trying all of the amazing street food. Those moments made the trip unforgettable and helped me appreciate Japanese culture even more.

Adelina Eppler | Fort Collins, Colorado

1.⁠ ⁠How are you spending the rest of your summer?

I’m going to hang out with my friends!! I also need to get some summer homework done

2.⁠ ⁠What’s the first dish you’re cooking when you get home? What Japanese dish are you most excited to make?

⁠⁠I’m making tamagoyaki!

3.⁠ ⁠Best thing(s) you bought?

⁠⁠I’m so happy that I bought more Miku figures! And anime merch that they don’t have at home.

4.⁠ ⁠What’s next for you? High school, college, work?

 ⁠⁠I’m going into my senior year of high school!

5.⁠ ⁠How do you feel about studying abroad again or coming back to Japan?

I’d love to revisit Japan again soon and study abroad again. This is my second time studying abroad and this trip has only fueled my interest. I studied Spanish and did volunteer work (working on a coffee plantation, volunteering with elementary and high schoolers, building cookstoves, and reforestation) in Ciudad Vieja, Guatemala! I was more comfortable with it as I’m almost fluent in Spanish. I had a host family rather than hotel/dorm rooms and we weren’t allowed phones, so living without it while I was there was challenging but rewarding because I lived in the moment. 

6.⁠ ⁠What’s a cool experience you had while on the program?

 ⁠⁠My first conversation with another person in Japanese!! I spent lots of time learning on my phone and practicing by talking to walls since nobody I know speaks Japanese. It was surreal to speak with another person and actually understand!!

Thanks for sticking with our students! Whether you're ending your own study abroad journey or deciding whether or not to go abroad yourself, I hope reading their accounts gave you some inspiration and encouragement!

Interested in studying abroad with CIEE? Explore our high school summer abroad programs today!