If you are looking for a great high school program, The Traveling School goes to Africa (which you aren't interested in from your note), but also South America and Central America. They have HUGE scholarships, so the cost can end up being way, way less. The other programs that are like The Traveling School are World Class Kayak Academy (if you kayak), High Mountain Institute (which stays in Colorado and does cool things outdoors), Where There be Dragons (limited academic credit) and Coastal School for Girls (stays in Maine). Good luck with your search, and I think you should contact The Traveling School to figure out more of their ititnerary and program - it could be a good fit!
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.