Study Abroad Programs
Take your academic career abroad! Gain school credit, immerse in a new culture, and push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Top Study Abroad Providers
Featured Provider of the Month
Featured Study Abroad Opportunities
This Month’s Recommended Study Abroad Programs
AIFS Abroad
Traveling and seeing the world doesn’t necessarily mean taking a break from your studies. Study abroad with AIFS and broaden your academic knowledge while learning about foreign cultures!Serving more than 1.5 million students since 1964, AIFS is a reco...
WorldStrides
Spend a semester in Switzerland, where stunning Alpine scenery, sparkling lakes, and an international atmosphere create the perfect setting for academic discovery. Study at the University of Geneva, one of Europe’s leading research institutions, and jo...
University Studies Abroad Consortium
The colorful, vibrant country of Thailand is considered the "land of smiles," and for good reason: the friendliness and hospitality of the Thai people, 95 percent of whom are Buddhist, will enrich your experience living there. Khon Kaen is located in t...
Expanish
Spend your summer studying in Barcelona, one of Europe’s most exciting and culturally rich cities. The Expanish Summer Program allows students to earn academic credit while exploring Spanish and Catalan culture through engaging coursework and cultural ...
Seamester Study Abroad at Sea
Seamester is the educational adventure of a lifetime! For more than 40 years, we have offered unparalleled educational voyages where students spend a semester at sea sailing between islands, countries, and even continents. We design our programs to pro...
Go Abroad China Ltd.
Join Go Abroad China's University Chinese Language Program to master Mandarin at China's most prestigious institutions, including Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), Peking University, and Fudan University. Designed for all proficiency leve...
SAI Programs
Paris College of Art (PCA) is a premier art and design school rooted in the rich artistic landscape of Paris. For over 30 years, the school has offered visiting and degree seeking students the opportunity to engage with the Parisian art scene while dev...
Centro MundoLengua
Want to live abroad in Spain and gain official university credits in your desired field of study while enjoying an authentic Spanish immersion experience? Come and study with Centro MundoLengua! We are a dedicated Spanish center that has signed agreeme...
How to Study Abroad
Types
Types of Study Abroad Programs
There are three common types of study abroad programs:
- Direct enrollment. This program allows you to study abroad in an international university, often alongside local students. Your course choices may be limited to classes in English, classes for international students, or classes designed for study abroad students, such as language and area studies. In some cases, you might be able to choose any courses offered at the university. These programs are ideal for any student and are usually the desired choice for upperclassmen who need classes in their major.
- Provider or University Program. The second type of study abroad program is one designed entirely by a study abroad provider or a university for international study abroad students. While there may be less interaction with local students, the curriculum may be ideally suited for you and other international students. You may also study alongside peers from around the world. These programs may last a week, a summer, a semester, or a year.
- Customized Program. The final type of study abroad is the customized program, or often referred to as the faculty-led program. This is a study abroad opportunity designed specifically for a group of students from one university and may or may not be hosted by an international university. This might include a research project in the field with other students and researchers, or it may be as simple as a trip organized by your professor visiting key destinations in his/her course.
There are other types of study abroad opportunities, including service learning for university credit, internships abroad for academic credit, non-credit study abroad, including language school learning, or study programs abroad, excluding any credit. You might also consider an exchange program, which is typically a reciprocal agreement between your home university and another university, allowing students to swap places and pay their home tuition and fees.
Why
Why Study Abroad
The majority of students who study abroad report it to be their most significant learning experience during the university program. Students also often report studying abroad as a life-changing experience. It is one of the activities that will help you perform better overall at university, engage more with your classmates and faculty, and improve your communication skills and academic performance. There are dozens of convincing reasons you should consider studying abroad.
Whether or not you study abroad for credit and how you utilize that credit is up to you. For many students, this may be the most important question. Ask yourself important questions to decide why studying abroad might be a great choice for you. Do you want to satisfy some degree requirements? Check off some general studies or core requirements? Do you need a foreign language proficiency for your major? Do you feel like some parts of the world may be better settings for courses in your major?
You might start by making a checklist of your goals in study abroad. If your number one goal is to see Angkor Wat, any program to Cambodia might satisfy your goal. If your primary goal is to take Advanced Nuclear Physics, you need to find a program that offers this class, teaches in English, and allows international students to enroll in advanced courses in Nuclear Physics. If language acquisition is your goal, be sure the study abroad program offers language classes for foreign speakers and that they offer these classes at all levels.
Benefits
Benefits of Studying Abroad
There are countless benefits to studying abroad—broadened horizons, new perspectives, and marketable skills! If you’re interested in a career in international sectors or in the humanities, then studying abroad is a no-brainer. Your cross-cultural communication skills will improve tenfold, and you’ll have the opportunity to study a new language as well. But even if your long-term career goals aren’t internationally-oriented, you’ll still come away from study abroad as a more well-rounded person with cool stories to tell, having learned more than a few new things about yourself in the process.
You know all this, the real benefit will be the internal rewards you get from this experience. You will have memories that last a lifetime, you may make friends who you will be close to for the rest of your life, and you will look at the world through a new set of eyes. The transformation is so profound that students occasionally change their major, decide a career choice and perhaps modify their entire life plan after studying abroad.
There are many more benefits of studying abroad you've never even thought of, too.
Funding
Study Abroad Scholarships & Funding
Many students need financial help in order to study abroad. If you’re studying abroad and you expect to earn credits, federal financial aid may help cover the costs. Each university has its own policies, but most US universities will allow you to utilize federal financial aid as long as your credits are pre-approved and you enroll in the minimum number of classes to remain full-time (typically 12 credit hours during the semester and 6-9 credits in the summer. The best way to be sure is to consult your financial aid advisor, meet with your study abroad office, and talk to your academic advisor to be sure your credits will count. Institutional aid or scholarships from your home university have varied policies regarding their application to study abroad. Often, institutional aid is simply a discount and may not be used for study abroad. Other schools support study abroad and are willing to subsidize the experience by allowing your aid to be utilized.
If you don’t receive financial aid, or if you’re studying through a university or provider where you can’t apply your typical aid, then you may need to rely on study abroad scholarships, study abroad loans, or crowdfunding platforms like FundMyTravel. Your study abroad department will also be a great lead on where to find study abroad scholarships and how to qualify. If you get creative, there are many other ways of paying for study abroad.
Popular Providers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is study abroad?
To put it simply, study abroad is a set time (perhaps a semester or year) when you pursue your academics overseas. This can be through a program at your home university, or it can be through an independent study abroad company in coordination with your university or degree program. Although studying abroad is typically done during college, you can try it out in high school too!
Can I study abroad?
You absolutely can study abroad! There may be a few requirements through your university, degree program, or study abroad provider though. For instance, some universities don’t allow you to study abroad with a GPA under 3.0. You’ll also need to consider your academic goals and how studying abroad fits in. For instance, are you an accounting major? You can still study abroad of course, but it may be a bit more difficult for you to find an opportunity in your degree track. Be sure to speak with your study abroad department or academic advisor to figure out the best move for you.
How long is study abroad?
Your study abroad program could be as short as two weeks, and as long as a full academic year. It could be during any season, and during any year of your academic career. How long your study abroad program lasts is up to you and your goals! Do you want to come home fluent in a second language? Then maybe a full academic year abroad is the right choice for you. Do you want to take fun electives or knock out a few additional credits outside the regular school year? Consider studying abroad for a couple months during the summer. Your study abroad department, academic advisor, and program coordinator will be able to help you decide.
And by the way, if you’re interested in earning your full degree abroad, there are lots of options!
What are some benefits of studying abroad?
There are countless benefits to studying abroad—broadened horizons, new perspectives, and marketable skills, just to name a few! If you’re interested in a career in international sectors or in the humanities, then studying abroad is a no brainer. Your cross cultural communication skills will improve tenfold, and you’ll have the opportunity to study a new language as well. But even if your long term career goals aren’t internationally-oriented, you’ll still come away from study abroad as a more well-rounded person with cool stories to tell, having had learned more than a few new things about yourself in the process.
How to get scholarships to study abroad
Most students need financial help in order to study abroad. If you’re studying abroad through your home university, the financial aid and scholarships you normally receive each semester will most likely cover at least part of the tuition. However, you’ll want to check with your financial aid office about the specifics.
If you don’t receive financial aid, or if you’re studying through a university or provider where you can’t apply your typical aid, then you may need to rely on study abroad scholarships, study abroad loans, or crowdfunding platforms like FundMyTravel.
Your study abroad department will be a great lead on where to find study abroad scholarships and how to qualify. We’ve also put together the resources below to help you learn more about finding and securing funding for your study abroad experience.
What are the best study abroad programs like?
With so many study abroad programs available to you, how can you be sure which one is the one? To find the study abroad program that will suit you best, you’ll need to narrow down your goals. What do you want to learn? What do you want to see? Who do you want to be after studying abroad? Do you want 24/7 on-site support, pre-departure assistance, and resume writing help? And what are your absolute dealbreakers? Once you have your answers, it’ll be easy to find the best study abroad programs for you.
Latest Program Reviews
A personal ambition
October 18, 2026by: Lina Bennani - United KingdomBecoming a doctor has always been a serious ambition of mine, and starting Pre-Med at NAU in September made that ambition feel much more tangible. I am pleased to have an opportunity to strengthen my scientific knowledge and prepare for the next stage of my education. I know I will have plenty to learn along the way, but I am genuinely excited to be here.
I had a wonderful time!
October 17, 2026by: Barbara Curtis - United StatesThe instructions were clear and expanded my understanding of Spanish. The teacher was great and helped with any problems with expertise I made many friends and tge cultural trips added to the overall quality of the program
The best!!
October 17, 2026by: Greta McNulty - United StatesCannot recommend this program more! The staff and homestay are so lovely and completely make the program. The coursework and travel make for great hands on learning that is hard to beat. Doing this program was the best decision I made!
The best!!
October 17, 2026by: Greta McNulty - United StatesCannot recommend this program more! The staff and homestay are so lovely and completely make the program. The coursework and travel make for great hands on learning that is hard to beat. Doing this program was the best decision I made!
The best!!
October 17, 2026by: Greta McNulty - United StatesCannot recommend this program more! The staff and homestay are so lovely and completely make the program. The coursework and travel make for great hands on learning that is hard to beat. Doing this program was the best decision I made!
An Unforgettable Experience !
October 16, 2026by: Julien Boury - United StatesProgram: Online Chinese Learning 1-on-1 - Schönberg Education
I started with 1-on-1 online classes before arriving in China, and the quality completely blew me away. The online system app is stable, smooth, and highly interactive. My teacher shared custom materials on screen and updated my study notes in real-time. It gave me a solid foundation in basic Chinese and boosted my confidence.
Hello Julien, we love hearing this! Thanks for sharing your experience, and we're here to support you every step of the way! 😊
A wonderful start to my Mandarin journey ！
October 16, 2026by: Stephen Kane - FranceThe teaching staff are outstanding! They strike a perfect balance between challenging you and keeping lessons fun and engaging. My teacher patient, encouraging, and highly skilled at tailoring the pace to my learning style. In every class, I get ample speaking practice and immediate feedback on my tones and pronunciation.
Hi Stephen，thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 We’re very happy to hear that our teachers were helpful and kind. In our school, our teachers always try to support and encourage every student during their learning journey. We truly appreciate your feedback and are glad you had a positive experience with us! 🚀
BEST TIME OF MY LIFE!
October 16, 2026by: Paula Mayorga Gilser - EcuadorStudying abroad in Madrid was a fever dream. I couldn't be more satisfied with my experience. I lived with a host family, and they were the sweetest people ever. They cooked delicious meals for me and made me feel like part of their family. At the IES center, the faculty and staff were so accommodating and willing to help and support me as much as possible. When I was hospitalized, someone from IES came to visit me at the hospital, and my host family stayed with me. This shows how much they truly care about their students and how committed they are to supporting them. They also have an emergency line, which made me feel even safer. Overall, I felt safe, welcomed, and supported, and I was able to fully immerse myself academically and culturally.
Best experience ever!
October 16, 2026by: Maizy Rioux - United StatesI would study abroad 10000 more times if it was going to be like what I got to experience in Greece through World Strides. This program made studying abroad such an easy transition and really made sure we had every bit of support and cultural experience while we were there.
The time of my life in Madrid
October 16, 2026by: Paola Lopez - United StatesMy semester abroad in Madrid with AIFS was genuinely one of the most memorable experiences of my life, and I would recommend the program to anyone considering studying abroad! From the beginning, the experience was well organized, and I felt supported throughout my time in Spain. Looking back, I am so grateful I chose AIFS because my semester became so much more than just an opportunity to study in another country. AIFS also offered a great variety of activities that allowed us to experience Spanish culture firsthand. These included tapas dinners, cooking sessions, and trips to beautiful cities like Granada, Toledo, and Segovia. These experiences gave us the opportunity to explore beyond Madrid while creating lasting memories with other students. I would recommend AIFS in a heartbeat! If you are nervous about taking the leap, I encourage you to go for it. My semester in Madrid gave me lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and personal growth that I will carry with me long after returning home. I would do it all over again without hesitation!
My Experience with AIFS in London
October 16, 2026by: Emma Pacileo - United StatesI chose AIFS Abroad for my semester in London because I wanted to experience living in a new country while continuing my education, and I’m so glad I did. The staff were incredibly helpful and supportive, which made adjusting to life in a new city much easier. The housing accommodations were also a great part of the experience and gave me a place to feel comfortable while living abroad. Having an Oyster card to use on the Tube made it so easy to get around London and explore different neighborhoods, landmarks, and attractions. The Eurail pass was another great benefit because it gave me the opportunity to travel and experience even more while studying abroad. One of my favorite parts of the program was getting to explore London, visit museums and landmarks, and experience everyday life in a different country. I also made amazing friendships and became more independent and confident navigating new places. As a marketing and management student, studying abroad gave me a new perspective on different cultures and helped me grow both personally and professionally. Between the supportive staff, housing, transportation benefits, and opportunities to explore, AIFS made my experience really memorable. I would definitely recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking to study abroad, make new friends, and get the most out of their time in another country!
The Adventure of a Lifetime
October 15, 2026by: Reese Rosenberg - United StatesForum-Nexus was incredibly well organized from start to finish. Travel between cities was efficient, and I still had the freedom to explore on my own. The Independent Cultural Visits pushed me to get out and discover each place. Laura did a great job in International Business, and I learned a lot. The teachers and staff were nice and caring, and Adam was the best! It was the adventure of a lifetime, and it showed me I can do new and scary things. I’d recommend it 100%. You won’t experience anything like it.
Already signed up for the extension hours
October 14, 2026by: Chris Farnham - United KingdomProgram: Accredited 120-hour TEFL certification course from $34
I’ll start by saying that when I started the course they had everything on their old system, which was fine, but comparing to the LMS course where I’m doing the extension, it’s a huge difference! I was actually happy with the website version because it had video and activities and enough quality text to make me forget about the esthetics looking a bit…old and worn, but seeing the new graphics and esthetics has ironically made me look back at the old course look and feel that taking a star off is justified. The new course is amazing. Like it looks superb in terms of images and layout. So far, the young learners units are pretty strong, but it’s hard to beat the text coverage of the main course I did. Still, it’s interesting knowing about Piagote and other child psychologists etc
Hard to find bad things to say
October 13, 2026by: Arnie Schultz - United StatesProgram: Accredited 120-Hour TEFL/TESOL Course $39 with certificate
Sometimes you find a real bargain and it just goes to plan. This is that and that is epic! These guys have something really special in that they don’t seem to settle for just fine. For example, I messaged about a practice quiz having a font size that was a bit small for my liking and they told me they’d fix it. An hour later, I got an email saying it was fixed - every practice quiz since then has been in larger dont. Taking this course has taught me A LOT! Highly recommended to anyone looking for a TESOL cert.
Effective online Mandarin course!
October 13, 2026by: Martina Viti - United KingdomProgram: Online Chinese Learning 1-on-1 - Schönberg Education
I started learning Mandarin from scratch ,because my wife‘s Chinese and I prefer to communicate with her family.After completed 35 online lessons with this school, I have seen measurable progress, so I‘ve extended my subscription.This is a well-organised and professional learning platform, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to study Chinese.
Hi Martina, we're so happy to hear you're loving the experience! 💙 Thank you for recommending our school to others. Your support inspires us to keep helping more people achieve their goals. 😊
Remarkable Progress Over half year
October 13, 2026by: Raphael Budiman - SpainI’ve been studying at this school over half year, and looking back at where I started, my progress is remarkable. I went from struggling with simple greetings to holding fluent conversations about work, news, and daily life. The structured curriculum, combined with regular assessments, ensures you never lose track of what you've learned. It is an invaluable investment in my language skills !
Hello dear raphael ! We're so happy to hear you're loving the experience! 💙 We feel very glad to know that you have seen your more improvements. Keep learning and shining! 😊
Unforgettable memories and lasting friendships!
October 12, 2026by: Alissa Frame - United StatesGoing to TZ for a semester abroad with SIT was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I feel incredibly grateful for all the experiences I had and wonderful people I met--many of whom I stay in touch with today! The semester was an exciting mix of camping in national parks, observing incredible wildlife like elephants, lions, giraffes, and birds, and doing a homestay for 3 weeks. I really appreciated the cultural immersion, between the homestay and opportunities to interview community members for research/class. The SIT TZE staff is top-notch when it comes to support, kindness, and truly making you feel like family. This program has added depth to my life and I'm currently trying to return to the region because of how much I loved my experience.
A semester I’ll never forget
October 12, 2026by: Eva Watson - United StatesI think up until my semester at Korea University, South Korea felt like some far off fantasy. A place that I knew of but could never truly put my finger on. But, I can now say with full confidence that my time there was one of the best times of my life. I made the sweetest friends that I will keep for life, got to embrace Korean culture through excursions with WorldStrides and with friends that I made in Seoul, and got to grow as a person. I think the reassurance of having my WorldStrides program and onsite staff there to help me gave me the ability to have the fullest experience I could have had. I got to see some of the most beautiful sights, ask questions (even the silly ones), and always felt safe. If you are considering going abroad, especially to Seoul, you 100% should. The country and culture are wonderful and the onsite staff there will become an extension of your Korean family. :)
A Splendid Look at Vienna as the Center of Ideas and Culture around 1900
October 11, 2026by: Robert Schadler - United StatesProgram: Univie: Winter School for Cultural Historical Studies
I took two excellent course (from a choice of 6) about Vienna ca 1900. Vienna at that time was perhaps the most important city in the world in terms of ideas and culture, from psychology, sociology, medicine, economics, law, philosophy, political science as well as music, art, sculpture and design. Truly remarkable. Both course were filled with relevant information provided by fluent, native-level English speakers who were well-informed and deeply interested in their subjects. Additionally, there were several very interesting site visits to relevant museums (of which Vienna has many?). The students were very diverse in terms of native country, age and interests. The web site for the university was a bit difficult to navigate at first, but was then very helpful in provide course curricula, readings, test preparation and supplements to the lectures. With Universitaet Wien now listed as one of the top 100 universities in the world, the cost for the two courses was quite minimal (although travel and lodging has to be added). I've already recommended this program to others and will continue to do so.
My First Premed Year
October 11, 2026by: Rehan Baig - United KingdomI am very happy to have started my first year of Pre-Med at NAU, especially because I am studying alongside my brother. We enrolled in the programme together, as we share the same ambition of becoming doctors, and having the opportunity to pursue this goal side by side makes the experience particularly meaningful to me. We can exchange ideas about our subjects, discuss what we are learning and encourage each other to stay motivated when our studies become demanding. I believe having someone who understands both the academic challenges and the aspirations behind this journey is a real advantage. So far, I have been satisfied with my experience at NAU, and I am looking forward to developing my scientific knowledge and preparing for the MD programme. We both understand that becoming doctors will require years of commitment, discipline and hard work, but I am proud that we have taken this first step together and excited to see what the future holds for us.
Latest Interviews
Arseniy Ovchinnikov
The Academy of Tourism Antalya
I was inspired to go abroad because I wanted to gain international experience, improve my English, and learn from professionals in the hospitality ind...
Anastasiya Vinogradova
The Academy of Tourism Antalya
Growing up, I lived in Thailand and practiced tennis, so travel and new cultures always felt natural to me.
Maria Huerta
European Centre for Career Education
What inspired me to go abroad was not just curiosity, but the need to understand the systems that shape people's lives beyond borders.
Andrew Messersmith
College Year in Athens
What inspired me to go abroad was all of the different opportunities that my university provides. I believe that spending a semester abroad can be an ...
Jonathan Ulicny
CES Maastricht
I was inspired to travel abroad because of my commitment to learning more about international cultures and interacting with individuals across Europe....
Vanessa Chairez
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
I was inspired to go about because it truly is a once in a lifetime experience and we are only this young once, so why not take advantage of that. It ...
Bethel University Global Studies
My family has been my motivation and inspiration to go abroad. I come from a family where most of us are complacent with small, everyday life. My fami...
Kesa Ferguson
Academic Programs International
My brother was my primary inspiration to go abroad; seeing his transformative experience in China showed me how much a global perspective can change a...
Lia-Mara Bösch
StudyInBali
What inspired me to go abroad was partly a requirement of my university, as we have to either complete an internship or study abroad for one semester.
John Peterson
Instituto Hemingway
Going abroad was inspired by my desire to step outside my comfort zone and experience life from a different perspective. I wanted to improve my langua...
José Gonzalo Solís Baca
European Centre for Career Education
Traveling has always been a passion of mine, and the opportunity to experience other cultures deeply inspires me. Going abroad allows me to build genu...
Amal Azabova
European Centre for Career Education
Although I graduated some time ago and currently live in Prague, I felt a strong desire to return to a structured academic environment. I wanted to re...
Elise Monroe
Academic Programs Abroad (APA)
I was always determined to study abroad because of the stories my dad told me about his own time living overseas. He once spoke French fluently, and I...
Mikhail Mikhaylov
Learn Russian in the European Union
I wanted to deepen my understanding of the post-Soviet region through direct immersion, especially given my academic focus on conflict mediation. The ...
Makayla Ross
IES Abroad
Studying abroad was not a part of my original 4-year plan. I'd anticipate joining campus clubs, meeting new people and making lifelong friendships, an...
Grant Dockery
IES Abroad
This was not my first experience studying abroad. I have always loved traveling and experiencing new cultures (I'm a big foodie). I also adore languag...
Eddie Kaake
CES Maastricht
I had known from a young age that I wanted to study far from home, but due to the illness of one of my parents, I was afraid to make that jump. After ...
Jon Shepherd
Bethel University Global Studies
My first trip abroad was to Mexico when I was in college, studying Spanish. That experience changed everything for me; it brought the language to life...
Anika Freestone
Phezulu Pre-Vet
I’ve always wanted to go to Africa, or specifically South Africa, to experience and work with its wildlife since I was a little girl. I’ve wanted to e...
Janie Kilby
Forum-Nexus Study Abroad
All three of my older brothers participated in study abroad, and from their experiences and adventures, I discovered my inspiration to have similar ad...
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