Fulfilling your wanderlust dreams can be much more attainable (and cheaper) than you think! Studying abroad online is the perfect opportunity for those who wish to study abroad but may have one or more factors holding them back from traveling abroad.
Looking for intercultural skills but not sure about going abroad right now? Virtual study abroad is for you!
Getting an online international education reaps similar benefits to an in-person study abroad program. Students will be exposed to different languages, different cultures, and different people, fostering intercultural communication skills from afar.
Furthermore, when you sign up for an online study abroad program, you are also saving yourself some extra money! You will be happier in the long-run that you avoided having to dish out money for tuition, living costs, and other major expenses.
A virtual study abroad program is also a good solution for gaining study abroad experience during turbulent times...like this COVID-19 pandemic we’ve all been enduring.
What is virtual study abroad?
So how does a virtual study abroad experience compare to the real thing? Well, essentially it offers the same positive qualities that an in-person program does. In an online study abroad program you will be doing the majority (if not all) of your learning online. You will be virtually taught by accredited professors and teachers from all over the world.
Your global education begins with an internet connection—but it may not end there either! Depending on the program, you will be able to travel to the country your program is based in if you choose to do so. After learning virtually for an extended time, a change of scenery will be an exciting opportunity!
Other programs may also offer a hybrid choice where you will do half of your lessons online and half in-person at your program’s location. You may even be able to land an internship at the end or combine one with your lessons.
Depending on the online program you choose, there may be a chance to go abroad later.
5 benefits of studying abroad online
So now that you have the 411 on how virtual study abroad works...how do you decide if studying abroad online is worth it? Here are our favorite benefits that you should consider:
- More affordable. Majority of online study abroad programs will be cheaper than those that are offered in-person. This is mainly because of the fact that your living and traveling expenses won’t be a part of your fee! Instead, you would just be paying the tuition for your classes, all while staying within a reasonable budget. Virtual study abroad is definitely an option worth considering if you are looking for something more cost effective.
- Flexible. With an online study abroad program, there are plenty of programs to choose from that offer flexibility in terms of scheduling. If you are hesitant about getting an international education because you’re worried about how it would fit into your schedule, virtual study abroad may be the better solution!
- Accessible. The accessibility an online program provides is beneficial to those who cannot travel for any reason. As the only school supplies you would need is an internet connection, the sky’s the limit for where you can access your virtual study abroad classes!
- Looks great on a resume. Tailoring your study abroad opportunity to your future career goals will help you in the long-run. Regardless of whether your study abroad was actually done abroad or through the interwebs, the international experience you will receive will look great to potential employers.
- Intercultural skills. Receiving an international education, you will gain plenty of intercultural skills that will make you the best global citizen you can be. From cultural awareness, to language skills, intercultural communication, and much more, you will learn how to communicate and work with people from all different backgrounds. You will also build connections and friendships with people from all over the world!
READ MORE: 11 Convincing Reasons to Study Abroad Online
5 best online study abroad programs
1. HEX: Great Global Challenge
For six days you can participate in this virtual program where you will research and come up with solutions that address the issues revolving around social disenfranchisement and privacy loss.
You will use the tools and topics you learn from your classes, such as: economics, machine learning, technology use in the workplace, social media, policy and health, and data privacy to help you work on your own solutions.
This virtual study abroad program will connect you with professionals and educators from all around the world. Together you will create innovative solutions for the future of human rights.
2. International Open Academy: Over 200 Accredited Online Courses
With over 200 courses, International Open Academy has the perfect virtual study abroad program for everyone! And better yet? They’re constantly running discounts and promotions, helping to keep costs low.
How it works: After paying the fee, students can begin their classes whenever they want. IOA offers courses that fall into either their Lifestyle or Vocational categories. Their Lifestyle programs were designed to help further the passions or hobbies that individuals have. The Vocational programs were created to assist in giving students the tools and skills to better market themselves for their future careers.
Examples of courses that IOA offers are: Teaching English Abroad, 120-hour TESOL Certification, Social Media Management, Master Herbalist, Dog Behavior & Training, Mix it Like a Pro: Bartending and Cocktails, American Sign Language, Criminology, and more.
And when you’re finished with the course you will receive a certificate to prove your newly gained skills.
3. Study Abroad with American College of Thessaloniki
Are you a fan of history, beautiful seaside towns and cities rich with culture? The American College of Thessaloniki in Thessaloniki, Greece offers all that and more!
Their programs run for a variety of durations, from a semester, to a summer, to a year. Your online study abroad program can be done from anywhere while you gain a number of credits to add to your degree. The college offers flexible and complete freedom in choosing your schedule and courses.
While your courses will be mostly virtual, this program also allows you to study in-person. After learning about Greece’s historical sites, and meeting new international friends and educators from a computer screen, you can travel on-site in Greece to further your studies and international experience.
4. GVI: Sustainable Development Online Courses
For those of you with a passion for human rights, sustainability, and environmentalism, GVI is the perfect provider for studying abroad online. With over a dozen courses offered, students will learn about the social and environmental impacts humans have on the Earth and how to make those impacts positive ones.
Some programs include courses such as Sustainable Development, Leadership, Community Development, Biodiversity, and more. Courses run for one week and students will receive a virtual certificate when finished.
When participating in online study abroad with GVI, students will build connections and relationships with like-minded individuals and professionals from around the world.
5. Universidad Pablo de Olavide: Affordable Virtual Maymester
You’ve heard of studying abroad for a semester, but what about during a MAYmester? A Maymester takes place during the month of May where you will do all your learning in just a few weeks.
If a shorter program is more your speed, then participating in a virtual Maymester program with the Universidad Pablo de Olavide is your destiny. By simply logging onto your computer, you can enroll in a number of courses ranging from Spanish language courses to teaching courses (which are taught in English).
The cost of each course is only 505 euros and upon completion students will receive three U.S. credits they can transfer to their degree. What better way to spend the month of May than immersing yourself in the Spanish language and lifestyle from the comfort of your home? This virtual study abroad program is hard to say no to!
Find and compare online study abroad programs with a FREE MyGoAbroad account
Get your international experience online!
Covid pushed the limits of online connections—take advantage of them this year and beyond!
While you may be daydreaming of traveling to another country to further your studies (but for your own reasons can’t quite make the plane ride out there), then a virtual study abroad program will satisfy your international educational goals just as well.
Just like in-person study abroad, you will be able to satisfy all your cultural goals, language skills, and educational needs with an online study abroad program. No matter the location, studying abroad online will further develop you as a global citizen with many new skills to bring to your future career and endeavors.
Just think—with all of the benefits that an online study abroad program provides, you will be able to put them to good use when you finally humor that travel bug and go abroad for the first time (or again)!
Still have questions about studying abroad online? Let us know in the comments below!
Explore ALL Your Virtual Study Abroad Options on GoAbroad.com
Look for the Perfect Study Abroad Program Now
Start Your Search
