Why Do a Multi-City (or Country) Study Abroad Experience?

Studying abroad will be one of the best decisions you ever make—you will see and experience new cultures and ways of life, learn about yourself and the world around you, and make new friendships that will last a lifetime. But with limited time and resources to travel, how do you decide where to go? The world is a huge and wonderful place with so many potential destinations for your perfect summer or semester abroad. The answer: a multi city study abroad program.

There are so many different places you can go with these programs, so it’s a great chance to knock everything off your bucket list.

These programs mean that you don’t just stay in one place. Rather, you have the opportunity to travel to multiple cities, all in one program. If you’ve never heard of it before, or want to learn more about why this option could be the best fit for you, check out the top 10 reasons to choose multi city study abroad programs.

10 reasons to consider multi city or country study abroad

1. You gain exposure to multiple cities and countries

Participating in a multi city study abroad program means having the opportunity to visit many different cities and in most cases, multiple countries, in a relatively short amount of time. This takes the pressure off of selecting just one destination for an entire term. If you’re really interested in living in Paris but also want to live in Rome, it’s possible through a multi city program. No two cities or countries are alike, and there’s so much to be discovered. 

2. If you don’t like a destination, it’s only temporary

Another benefit to choosing a multi city program is the fact that you will travel from city to city, never spending too much time in any one place. And let’s be honest—not every destination will be the perfect fit for every student. You may prefer a laid-back island destination like Koh Samui, Thailand instead of the bustling city life in Bangkok, and that’s okay! On a multi city program, experience both. With an itinerary of study abroad stops, you can discover the best of a given city, then move on to the next one.

3. Your taste buds will thank you

You can travel—and eat—in style the whole time you’re abroad.

A big component of traveling to new places is the food! During a multi city/multi country study abroad program, you can sample delicacies and cuisine in several different cities and countries around the world. Enjoy traditional paella in Barcelona one week, snack on a baguette in Paris the next, and eat the best pasta of your life in Milan the week after that. If you’re nervous about finding food that you’ll like during your term abroad, a multi city program can be a great option because you’ll never be stuck with the same options, and you’ll always find something that suits you in each new destination. And there are plenty of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options to be found abroad! 

4. The world is your classroom and you can learn on-the-go

In a multi city program, you won’t just be going to one university and one classroom….snooze. Instead, you’ll learn while traveling, with professors who travel with you. This means a constant and consistent learning experience in different environments in different cities. Discover something new in the classroom in the morning and then see it in real life later that afternoon. You’ll learn as much inside and outside of the classroom in a multi country study abroad program, and increase your International IQ along the way. 

5. You can make the most of your study abroad experience financially

The cost of a multi city study abroad program may seem daunting at first, but when you consider all of the destinations, accommodations, credits earned, and experiences had, you can actually save money in the long run. Choosing a multi city program allows for experience in several places without having to make all of the specific arrangements and plans like you would if you were just traveling to those destinations. You might get to stay in amazing 4 and 5-star hotels or homestays, with things like ground transportation covered as well. 

Plus, tuition for courses that could even help you graduate early and save on big time tuition fees. Investing in a program that is multi city/multi country makes the most of the money spent on studying abroad because it’s hundreds of travel miles bundled into one price. Bonus: Most programs will offer a variety of study abroad scholarship and financial aid opportunities as well.

Amidst all the fun, you'll be knocking out some course credits, too. Cha-ching!

6. New environments will keep things interesting

A constant changing of cities and environments will keep you on your toes in the best way. Humans are creatures of habit and if you study abroad in the same city for an entire term, you might find yourself building a routine and shutting out new and different experiences. With a multi city program, you’ll be regularly placed in new environments with new landscapes, types of transportation, cultural customs, languages, and quirks, and you’ll surprise yourself with how quickly you can adapt. The skill of adapting to a new and changing environment is an invaluable one that you can take with you for the rest of your life, all thanks to your multi city study abroad adventure.

7. You’ll learn how to live out of a suitcase, and become really good at packing

Traveling to several different destinations in one term means packing light and packing often. Discover what it’s like to only pack the essentials, and the freedom that comes with living with less! Mixing and matching will become your wardrobe mantra and you won’t feel the pressure to purchase endless souvenirs because you’ll be on the lookout for special items worth taking up the suitcase space. Packing for every other trip after your summer or semester abroad will feel like a breeze with your newly acquired packing (and repacking) skills. 

8. If you’re short on time, you can still see it all with a multi city summer program

You'll want to master the art of packing light before setting sail for your multi country study abroad program.

One of the main reasons a student selects a multi city program in the summer is to see and do a lot in a short amount of time. Maybe you’re an athlete with limited time off from training, or maybe you’re involved in a sorority, fraternity, or club on campus and want to be there for all of the exciting events during the fall and spring terms. If time is precious but you want to study abroad in several different places, a multi city summer program could be right for you. Participating in a multi country summer program is a great way to check a study abroad experience off of your bucket list without compromising on your other activities and obligations.

9. You’ll make new friends from around the world

Most multi city study abroad options are through third-party providers, which means that the student body is made up of students from around the world—not just other students at your school. Not only will you visit several new cities and countries in a term abroad, you’ll also make new friends to experience each new destination with. Having BFFs across the globe means the adventure abroad doesn’t have to end there—you can plan future meet-ups and visit each other, wherever you are. Studying abroad is a powerful and life-changing experience, transforming new friendships into lifelong ones.

10. Multi city study abroad helps you make the most of your term abroad!

Academically, financially, and personally, a multi country study abroad program takes everything to the next level, gives you the most bang for your buck, and makes the most of your time spent abroad. In traditional study abroad programs based in a single destination, you’ll still have opportunities to travel to other places, but a multi city program takes you there with purpose and plans already set in place. Rest assured that the investment in a multi city program will expose you to as much culture, knowledge, and experience as possible, and you can earn valuable academic credits without compromising your classroom experience. Multi city and multi country study abroad programs are perfect for students who want to make the absolute most of their term abroad.

FAQs on multi country study abroad

1. Where's the best place to go? 

Not sure if you like hot air balloon festivals in Turkey? You’ll be off to Tokyo on Tuesday!

There are SO MANY options when it comes to where to study abroad, and you really can’t go wrong. If you want to experience countries more similar to Western culture, consider a multi country Europe study abroad program. If you’re looking for exposure to more exotic cultures, consider multi city programs in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, or Latin America. If you have one city or country in mind, search for multi city programs including that destination in the itinerary, and embrace the chance to visit all of the other places on the list!

2. Are these programs more expensive?

It depends. Programs visiting just one city may be cheaper because there is less involved in that experience. A multi city study abroad program provides value in the destinations, travel arrangements, and accommodations that aren’t available in other programs. While the investment may be greater, the reward is too. Scholarships and financial aid opportunities can help offset the cost of multi country study abroad programs.

[Must-Read Tips on Funding Study Abroad]

3. Are they safe?

Absolutely! During a multi city program, you will see and do a lot, but not without ongoing guidance and support from your staff and faculty team. Each city will have its own traits to learn and adapt to, but all safety concerns are the same as any other program. Most programs will provide recommendations for what to do in your free time, where to go, how to avoid unsafe situations, etc. and because hotels and most transportation will be handled for you, you’ll always stay in a safe location and travel safely, too.

You’re ready for multi city study abroad!

The friendships born of this epic of an adventure will surely last a lifetime.

Now, knowing why a multi city program is an incredible way to study abroad, where will you go? To get started, consider the term you want to study abroad. You can search for summer study abroad programs, for example, then select a specific region or subject that interests you, and look for programs that travel to multiple destinations, like a summer in Asia or a multi country Europe study abroad summer program. Both sound pretty rad, right!?

You’ll want to talk with your study abroad and academic advisors to take the correct steps at your school and plan for the best courses to take while abroad. Once you’ve selected the best program for you, start researching all of the cities on the itinerary and find out what you may want to do in your free time, like visiting museums, monuments, and iconic Instagram-worthy locations. 

You’re about to embark on a life-changing adventure and gain experiences you never thought were possible before. You’ll learn how to communicate with different cultures and in different languages, navigate different types of transportation and landscapes, and travel to different cities and countries. The world is yours—what are you waiting for?

Get Matched with 5 Multi City Study Abroad Programs for FREE

This article was written in conjunction with Forum-Nexus Study Abroad, an organization that offers multi city summer programs in Europe and Asia that are open to students of all majors from around the world.