Build your ideal study abroad experience from our robust list of options, including courses in dozens of disciplines, part-time internships, community-based learning opportunities in the local community, and more!
Expert-Taught Courses
Our faculty have years of experience, and are experts in their fields.
Internships & Community-Based Learning
Our programs offer multiple ways to get involved in your host city.
International Universities
Fully enroll or take a few classes to supplement your course schedule.
Personalized Predeparture Support
Every program has a highly-trained advisor ready to answer questions.
Language Learning
From one-week introductory courses to intensive immersion.
Cultural Immersion
Our dozens of global destinations offer a place for every student.
While everyone will have a unique study abroad experience, we've ensured that all our course options provide you with a robust and culturally immersive experience abroad. This is why we offer courses, part-time internships, and community-based learning placements at no additional cost to you.
Take Courses
Depending on which study abroad program you choose, you can take courses at our Centers abroad, directly enroll at a local partner university, or build a schedule with courses from both. At our Centers, we hand pick the best faculty to teach courses specifically to our students through a local context. Additional course options at prestigious local universities enhance not just what you learn, but how you learn it, and provide you with new perspectives as you join local and international students alike.
Complement your study abroad courses with a for-credit internship and academic seminar as one of your elective courses. With a part-time study abroad internship, you gain hands-on experience and deeper insight into the local professional culture. This experience is not only valuable to your study abroad adventure, but to your career as well.
Take Courses & Participate in a Part-Time Community-Based Learning Placement
Many of our study abroad programs offer community-based learning placements and accompanying academic seminars as one of your elective courses. Our programs with a community-based learning component combine coursework with volunteer work so you can give back to the local community while you develop professional and personal skills.
While there's certainly a difference in taking courses abroad compared to your current university, there are some familiar things you can rely on. You'll be in classrooms with other students, and you will have an on-site support system.
On most programs, you have the option to take IES Abroad courses at the Center, partner university courses at a local campus, or a combination of both. IES Abroad courses are held at the Center and taught by our esteemed faculty. These courses are typically filled with other students like you, whose home universities are based in the United States. We believe the best way to learn is through experience, all IES Abroad courses are designed to utilize your host city and country as your classroom. Partner university courses are held at the local campus, and taught by the university faculty. Partner university courses give you an opportunity to learn alongside local students.
Ultimately, exactly what your classroom experience looks like depends on the program, discipline, and location you choose. There are lectures, small group discussions, labs, and all the familiar academic settings you're used to. Regardless of what your course schedule looks like, our Center staff will be with you every step of the way.
Our direct enrollment programs offer an education at world-class universities, customizable courseloads, and cultural immersion that combine the best parts of study abroad.
In a direct enrollment program, you are enrolled as a full-time student at one of our over 70 international partner institutions. We work with our partners abroad to curate a robust list of course and discipline options to suit the needs of every type of student. When you enroll at a university abroad, you take classes like a local.
“This whole thing was super cool. But it was deeper than that. It was a life lesson. It was growth.”
Aliya S. • Trinity University • Nice Direct Enrollment – SKEMA Business School
Katie F. • Macalester College
Support Sustainable & Earth-Friendly Values
We have always considered sustainability and earth-friendly practices to be an integral part of the global experience. This is why, in 2021, we formalized these values into our Global Good Commitment. With inspiration from the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, we have committed to three main values: sustainable living, equitable living, and human well-being. These values are strategically-woven into our curriculum, and program offerings.
We introduced ES/SO360 - Designing the Sustainable City course, which is designed to provide students the opportunity to engage in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural learning community that addresses a global issue.
“With education there is hope for a better world. The students of today are the future of tomorrow.”
Jorge C. • Chair Professor of Ecology at the University of Granada
How We Help You Get the Credit You Need
Global Leadership Series
Learn more about our global leaders in our community—staff, faculty, students, and friends—and their areas of expertise through our Global Leadership SerIES and Fireside Chats with Fascinating Faculty.
“This whole thing was super cool. But it was deeper than that. It was a life lesson. It was growth.”Aliya S. • Trinity University • Nice Direct Enrollment – SKEMA Business School
“With education there is hope for a better world. The students of today are the future of tomorrow.”Jorge C. • Chair Professor of Ecology at the University of Granada
“I have had the most success using my assignments as an excuse to explore, becoming a student and a tourist all in one.”Emma H. • University of Iowa • London – Study London
