most of the people I know, who do this kind of "study abroad" in highschool (which to my understanding is on average well below Abitur/A-levels) have their parents paying (quite a bit) for the privilege^. From what I've seen around, most of this activity is centered also around private "pay-to-your-A-levels"-schools. Notably these people might think of + on their CV (while being stupid).
^And then our public school had some funded, hidden exchange with Geelong Grammar school :)
Exactly my point. From my experience hiring in tech Europeans are very quick to mention US education believing it’s a big advantage.
Personally at that role it was an English role so I only took from their US education that they can function in an English environment. I didn’t give two shits about their Carnegie Mellon masters.
^And then our public school had some funded, hidden exchange with Geelong Grammar school :)