You’re watching a movie based in another country about global warming, food, or culture and it’s extremely thought-provoking. You’re enamored by the culture, food, traditions, and you look around for someone to talk to about it and answer your questions. You keep these questions in the back of your mind and you think about what it would be like to see it all in person.
Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity to see education come to life.
Now imagine you have an opportunity to ask these questions to an expert, meet other individuals learning about the same topics as you, AND you get money to put towards visiting one of these countries in person. This is what study abroad online looks like!
You’ll be gaining global education from professors all over the world and a financial credit towards a future in-person study abroad semester or session. Tons of providers have shifted their programs abroad to online, and the deadlines are quickly approaching. So NOW is the time to discover why summer session online courses are for you!
9 reasons to do online summer programs
1. Be a pioneer and do something no one has ever done
Due to global COVID-19 outbreaks, this is the first time international education providers are offering students online study abroad opportunities from professors all over the world.
You would be among the first students to step into an international education opportunity that has never been offered before.
Not to mention, this could also be the only opportunity to take international classes online!
2. Interact with professors from all over the world
Learn from the knowledge and perspectives of international scholars from different parts of the world and experience subject material that they’re experts on.
You’ll be hearing personal narratives as well as research from professors who might teach your class in a way you haven’t experienced before.
You’ll have the opportunity to form relationships and develop intercultural competence throughout your semester, as well as future mentors or professional references!
3. Learn from (and about) multiple countries
Study abroad online will enable you to be a virtual Indiana Jones!
Providers, like CIEE and IES Abroad, have gathered some of their most popular courses online, and you have the ability to take two! Choose from numerous countries, or take two courses from the same country for a chance to delve into a specific culture.
For example, you could take Indian Cultures and Traditions, as well as Population and Poverty from Bengaluru, India, if the culture specifically fascinates you—or if you plan on studying abroad or traveling there one day.
You can also explore several countries and set your sights on both destinations for the future.
4. Craft an impactful summer with lasting value
Taking classes on subjects you’re unfamiliar with will widen your comfort zone. As seen in the learning zone model, the space outside of the comfort zone is where new skills, abilities, and opinions develop, and online summer programs provide the perfect opportunity for this.
Another lasting value this experience provides is the development of intercultural competence, learning how to respectfully and efficiently communicate between cultures.
This growth will last far beyond your summer study abroad online experience and might lead to further developments, such as the confidence to apply for a fellowship or internship in another country!
5. It’s affordable—and providers offer credit towards a future semester or session abroad!
SAY IT AGAIN!! Not only will you have a chance to explore new cultures on a budget, but you’ll have a financial credit to put towards studying abroad in a country you have formed a connection to!
You’ll be able to complete your course work and listen to lectures with even more motivation, and excitement that you’ll be able to see, experience, and taste it all in person.
Even if you don’t use the credit, you’ll be able to later plan a trip to a country that you have learned about and watch your education come to life.
6. You’ll be seen as resourceful and driven
You know how to stay positive and handle unforeseen circumstances.
In times of uncertainty, the way an individual reacts speaks volumes. A leading quality that professionals look for during interviews is how a candidate solves problems.
You’ll be able to discuss the initiative you took to better yourself academically as a global citizen through online summer classes!
You’ll be able to also discuss your ability to take risks—as this is the first time studying abroad online has been offered—and how these risks paid off.
7. It will provide you with structure and opportunity
This summer, securing a job is unpredictable, and staying home is encouraged; this is the perfect way to cultivate a stimulating and rewarding summer.
So many people have expressed feeling a lack of motivation and a struggle to feel rewarded with how they spend their time. Signing up for international classes is an impactful way to bring meaning and structure to each day of your summer!
Not to mention, the lasting effects it will have on your academics and career.
8. You’ll stay on track to graduate
Taking online summer classes will not only put you ahead, but if you have a specific major with a fixed track of classes, this is an opportunity to learn something outside of your major while staying on track to graduate.
It will satisfy other interests you might have, such as gender studies, philosophy, history, language, and could open up a new educational realm.
Plus, most prerequisites make you take language courses, and if you haven’t already fulfilled that requirement, this is an opportunity to get ahead and learn a language in a unique way!
9. Start an educated travel bucket list
When it’s time to go abroad again, you will be oh-so prepared.
Having a deeper understanding of the culture before you travel to the country will create a more meaningful experience.
Summer study abroad online classes will make room for subjects that pique your interest, which might make you want to visit the country you’re studying about.
Once you learn about historical sights or important cities, it could also influence your travel itinerary and take you places you never knew existed!
3 worthwhile summer session online courses to get you started
1. CIEE
You can choose from 25 online summer courses broken down into four-week sessions that are taught by professors all over the world. Classes include Irish Culture, Society, and Identity; The Impact of Climate Change in Costa Rica; and 23 other amazing options. CIEE offers short videos from professors all over the world explaining what you’ll be learning about in their course. Read CIEE reviews
2. IES Abroad
Two unique features of IES Abroad’s 6-week program include language learning software to give you the opportunity to learn a new language (or brush up on your skills) and an official transcript from the University of Rochester. They offer a variety of interesting summer session online courses, including Business Ethics with a professor in London, and Japanese Pop Culture from a professor in Tokyo. Read IES Abroad reviews
3. USAC
USAC is offering a 6-week online program, as well as virtual internships. Their extensive course list is impressive, with a focus on providing language courses. Their classes include learning about Caste, Class, and Gender in India; Business Ethics and Sustainability in Chiang Mai; and LGBTQI+ in London, among others. They’ve specifically added their most popular courses to this online program, and you can check out their descriptions and faculty profiles on their website. Read USAC reviews
Get matched with 5 online study abroad programs for FREE
Make the most of your summer at home and study abroad online!
Big travel dreams? Good! Studying abroad online will only make you more driven to fulfill them.
Most study abroad providers that are making the switch to online, such as CIEE, USAC, and IES Abroad, are offering financial credit to a future study abroad experience.
SO, take online summer courses and you’ll be provided with TWO global education opportunities. And you’ll be rewarded during your second one!
Unlike in-country study abroad programs, study abroad online offers the opportunity to pick courses from multiple countries and professors from all over the world, to learn about as many tops that interest you.
For example, you could be learning about protests in South Africa, food and culture in Italy, and caste, class, and gender in India—all in one week!
The opportunity to take these classes in the same semester isn’t possible during in-country semesters. Online study abroad has the potential to offer a unique and different form of international education that studying abroad in-country can’t offer. Ready to try it out?
Explore ALL Study Abroad Online Programs on GoAbroad.com
This article was written with help from CIEE. CIEE has been promoting meaningful education and travel opportunities since 1947. Participating students have 45 destinations to choose from across dozens of programs, and now have the opportunity to study abroad online with CIEE as well. CIEE also offers teach abroad opportunities.
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