Learn the inside scoop on year long study abroad programs. If you’ve ever heard the expression that “time flies,” know that this saying could not be more true for studying abroad. A semester can fly by in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, you’re back home dreaming about the good old abroad days. One brilliant way to avoid your program ending quicker than you would like is to study abroad for a full academic year.
Pack ALL your bags for your year abroad!
Although choosing to study abroad for a full year can be a slightly terrifying idea, it could ultimately be one of the best decisions you ever make (or at least, will have made up to that point). There are many reasons why participating in year long study abroad programs is great and wonderful, but the main reason is the fact that you will have a full year to get used to the academic system, to mold yourself into the culture, and to potentially feel at home. You’ll have ample time to adjust to new surroundings, and you won’t feel rushed with your time to explore, and you’ll get to know where you live. If you’re studying a foreign language while abroad, being there for a full year will give you more time to immerse yourself in the language, as well as more opportunities to improve your language skills.
Sure, it can be harder to be away from your home university and your friends there for the full year, but the benefits almost always outweigh the drawbacks (pro and con charts are definitely a good idea if you’re still contemplating whether studying abroad for a full academic year is right for you). If you’re convinced one year study abroad programs are something worth pursuing, here are some of the best, as ranked by GoAbroad’s community of student travelers. Maybe you’ll see one that calls your name!
What makes these the “best?”
GoAbroad specializes in collecting real stories, feedback, and insights from past student travelers for an academic year about their experiences on study abroad programs. We take their reviews very seriously, and hope these snapshots of life abroad can help inform and educate future student travelers with reasonable expectations for their own experience abroad. While there are dozens of excellent organizations offering 1 year study abroad programs, some just rise above the rest.
Typically, the best year long study abroad programs abroad tick off all of the following boxes:
- Positive feedback. What do reviews and other alumni have to say about their experiences? Though your needs might not be theirs, you can give some level of credibility to the “horse’s mouths.” Consider their feedback as you discern your options for college study abroad programs for a year or longer.
- Clarity and availability of information. If you have to hunt down basic program details, there might be something fishy going on.
- Organizational partnerships—most are partnered or work with other respected national, local, or international organizations.
- Resources for alumni, like how to put your experience on your resume or keep building on your time abroad so it’s not an isolated experience.
- Demonstrated respect and care for local culture, environment, individuals. You can get a feel for this in the photos and language they use to market themselves. No elephant riding, no exploitative photos with children, etc.
- Level of support and assistance. Do they email you back promptly? Are you confident in their safety rating and the level of support you’ll get before, during, AND after your program?
- Respect within your field of study. Consider a program that makes people that you look up to go “Wow.”
You can study with students from all over the world
The best 1 year study abroad programs
1. IES Abroad Granada: Study in Granada, Spain—9.56
If you’re wanting to improve your Spanish language ability, while also being surrounded by the beauty of Southern Spain, this program is for you. The program has an intermediate Spanish Program (conducted in English and Spanish) as well as an advanced Spanish Program (conducted entirely in Spanish), which gives students the opportunity to customize their language difficulty level. Students enroll at the Universidad de Granada, where they will have the opportunity to take classes from various fields. Throughout your one year study abroad program, you can live at a homestay or in a residence hall.
- Where? Granada, Spain
- School: Universidad de Granada
- More program info
2. Study Abroad in Greece with CYA - 8.96
College Year in Athens emphasizes learning beyond the classroom, which may include field trips related to topics you will study, visiting key historical sites within Greece, and direct interaction with the Greek community. The program also offers Modern Greek Language Classes where students can get even more immersed in Grecian culture, while gaining a deeper understanding of the language (who doesn’t want to learn Greek?). While participating in this program, students can live in apartment blocks with other CYA students, or in a homestay with an Athenian household.
- Where? Athens, Greece
- School: N/A
- More program info
3. Immersion Program—Learn Chinese in China - 9.52
If you’ve always wanted to learn Chinese, and to spend a year exploring all that the vast country of China has to offer, look no further! Located in Guilin, China, this program gives you one-on-one Mandarin language training, allowing you to earn credit while also learning a new language. Moreover, this program organizes weekly activities, and monthly travel excursions to expose you to more of the Chinese culture, and allow you to practice your language skills in the real world. In addition to these fun ways to practice your language, this program has a language pledge. If you choose to opt-in, you will be pledging to speak Chinese the entire time you are in the program (talk about a great way to motivate yourself to learn a language)! Students have the option to live in a dorm room, a homestay, or in an apartment with Chinese roommates.
- Where? Guilin, China
- School: Guangxi Normal University
- More program info
4. CEA Study Abroad in Rome, Italy - 9.2
Do you like gelato? Learning about art history in the home of Michelangelo and da Vinci? If you answered yes to these questions, or feel intrigued by them, be sure to check out this program! (Italy is way more than gelato and art history, but those are strong perks to studying there… just as a side note). CEA offers programs with internships, programs where you can study theology near the Vatican, expand your liberal arts and sciences knowledge, and many others. Students can live in a CEA apartment, with an Italian roommate, in a homestay, or arrange their own housing. If you want to work on your Italian, there’s an Italian language exchange program, which allows you to converse with local Italian students and hone your language skills.
- Where? Rome, Italy
- School: CEA Rome Center, John Cabot University (certain programs), Libera Universita Internazionale Degli Studi Sociali
- More program info
5. TEAN: Gold Coast—Bond University - 10.0
Bond University is Australia’s only private university, and happens to have an academic schedule similar to that of the US, making it easier for students to adjust to their year long study abroad program. During orientation week, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Great Barrier Reef, and tropical far North Australia as you get accustomed to the aussie lifestyle. Areas of study at Bond University are vast, meaning no matter what your major, you can study here on a one year study abroad program, and continue your education in a smooth manner. There’s a reason this program gets such great reviews, and it’s because all the elements of the program (living, studying, exploring) come together to create a perfect study abroad experience. If you’ve always wanted to go down under, Bond University might be the perfect year long study abroad program for you.
- Where? Gold Coast, Australia
- School: Bond University
- More program info
6. Study Abroad in London at the University of Roehampton - 9.14
The United Kingdom: land of tea, the Queen, and London. With University of Roehampton, students will have the opportunity to enroll in a British university, while also taking advantage of all the sights and sounds London has to offer (which is quite a lot). Students will be able to choose from most modules offered to full time Roehampton students, making a one year study abroad program feasible with your four-year plan. You’ll have the opportunity to live in on campus accommodation, along with other students, so you’ll never have to leave the thriving city of London. Roehampton is also a parkland campus, giving you plenty of access to greenery and an escape from the bustling city life.
- Where? London, England, United Kingdom
- School: University of Roehampton
- More program info
7. IES Abroad Nantes—French Language Immersion & Area Studies - 9.59
Parlez-vous francais? If your answer is yes (or you would like it to be), check out this immersive, exciting program. Located in the Loire Valley, Nantes is the perfect place to perfect your French language skills, and to learn more about France as a nation. Not only will your skills improve in classes taught only in French, but students stay with a local family who will help you truly master the ins and outs of the beautiful romance language that is French. If you’re interested in education, IES offers the opportunity for you to intern as an English teacher while you study abroad in Nantes. IES also offers a multitude of extracurricular activities, and you’ll have access to student groups at the Universite de Nantes, giving you a chance to make your year long study abroad program an experience unique to you and your interests.
- Where? Nantes, France
- School: Universite de Nantes
- More program info
8. AIFS Study Abroad in Barcelona, UAB - 9.5
What differentiates this program from other one year long study abroad programs in Spain is that this one does not require any Spanish language study in order for you to participate. Previous students say that AIFS was a family, and that this feeling only grew when being abroad for the entire year. This program allows students to take courses in the Spanish language, business, and the humanities at three different universities in Barcelona. Students are also exposed to many cultural and social activities to deepen their love of the Spanish language, and culture. Whether it be eating tapas, learning salsa, or visiting the historic sites, this program is sure to give you loads of lifelong memories (and some new vocabulary to boot).
- Where? Barcelona, Spain
- School: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Unversidad Pompeu Fabra, or Universitat de Vic
- More program info
9. Native Spanish Program—Costa Rica I Guatemala I Peru - 9.57
If you’re studying Spanish, but don’t want to travel to Spain for your one year long study abroad program, don’t forget about the wonderful Latin American countries that can also enrich your knowledge of the Spanish language. With this program, you can learn Spanish through either private lessons, a small group, or a combination of both. In order to deepen your language learning, there is a tandem conversation program, which allows you to speak Spanish with native speakers, and also help them with their English. You’ll live with a host family, and use your Spanish all the time so that you are truly immersed in it all. The best part about this program is that students can participate at any level of Spanish. Regardless of how much you know going in, you’ll return home with a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the language.
- Where? Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru
- School: N/A
- More program info
[Check Out ALL The One Year Study Abroad Programs Available Here]
You’re ready for your one year study abroad program!
Figure out where you want to study abroad for a year and get going!
Hopefully this list (which is not an exhaustive list by any means), has given you some ideas about options for year long study abroad programs. As there are so many options, it is definitely possible to find a program that fits your needs, your goals, and your desires. The most important thing to remember if you want to embark on a one year study abroad program is to do your research, and to plan in advance. The last thing you want is to return home and be told that you’re no longer in sync with your four year plan in terms of credits, or requirements.
If you’re still feeling like there are too many options from which to choose, check out GoAbroad.com’s vast list of programs, and read the reviews for each program. Ultimately, studying abroad for the academic year will give you unique insights and experiences that studying for only a semester would not allow you to have. Studying abroad is such a great decision regardless of the length of your program, but extending your stay to that of a one year long study abroad program can sometimes make a massive difference in your language abilities, your appreciation of a new culture, or even in yourself.
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