Year abroad, here are the destinations preferred by Italian students

English-speaking countries continue to dominate the preferences of Italian high school students who choose to spend a period of study abroad, but alongside traditional destinations there is an increasing interest in increasingly international, immersive and "off-course" destinations, such as Australia, New Zealand and Costa Rica. This is what emerges from the ten-year report 2016-2025 "A year abroad... and after?" produced by Astudy International Education, a company specialised in orientation and the organisation of international school programmes.

The survey confirms the enduring appeal of the American educational model: almost one in two students choose the United States, attracted by the high school spirit, the community approach of the US school and the possibility of a highly inclusive cultural experience.

The United Kingdom confirms itself as one of the most popular destinations thanks to the high quality of its teaching and the ability of British schools to enhance the student's individual path at 360 degrees. Immediately after comes Canada, chosen above all by those seeking a balance between academic quality, attention to personal growth and strong contact with nature, and among the destinations expected to grow the most in the coming years. Ireland also consolidates its role as the ideal destination for students who want an international school environment that combines tradition and innovation.

Alongside the historical destinations, however, an increasingly diversified mobility is emerging. If Australia continues to attract a growing number of students interested in experiences far from the European context, characterised by multiculturalism, nature and strong personal autonomy, destinations which until a few years ago were considered unusual for Italian high school students are beginning to appear - albeit still in small numbers. These include New Zealand and Costa Rica, which as of this year are also appearing in requests for school year abroad programmes, a sign of a new generation increasingly oriented towards original, immersive and culturally distinctive experiences.

Continental Europe also maintains an important role: Spain, Germany and France are chosen by students interested in learning a second European language and experiencing different educational systems that are culturally closer to that of Italia. While a constant interest also concerns the Nordic countries, in particular Sweden, Denmark and Norway, where inclusive, innovative and student-oriented school systems represent a strong element of attraction, despite the fact that Scandinavian languages are less widespread.