Why IES Abroad

As a mission-driven not-for-profit organization, we're not ashamed to admit we're a little obsessed with study abroad. If we have any surplus revenue, it goes right back in to our programs, typically in the form of scholarships and aid. We commit nearly $7.9 million to financial aid, our high-impact funding model that works alongside federal and institutional aid to make study abroad more accessible to every student.

From Santiago to Siena, we’re dedicated to having programs in diverse locations all over the world and in a wide range of disciplines.

We are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. That's why our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management.

You won't just be taking classes in a new location, your host city will become your classroom as your professors share local insight, professional experience, and culturally enriched course-related trips.

Facing a range of crises around the world, from climate issues to systemic racism and inequities within our communities, we saw the need to highlight and elevate our mission, initiatives, and programming in global good. Thus, the Global Good Commitment was born.

Through IES Abroad, IES Internships, Customized & Faculty-Led Programs, and the Study Abroad Foundation (SAF), we offer a wide range of international education programming.

Our Academic Consortium is made up of 275+ leading U.S. colleges and universities who partner with us to send their students abroad. This means your classmates at IES Abroad Centers will include U.S. and international students from all over the United States contributing their diverse experiences to class discussion.

Share your study abroad experience in real-time by applying to be an IES Abroad Correspondent. Submit an original film to the Study Abroad Film Festival. Show us your study abroad photos in the Snapshot Contest. These are just some of the ways we elevate student stories, because, after all, no one knows the IES Abroad experience better than our students themselves.

From Top Study Abroad Organization based on student reviews to Excellence in Inclusion, we’re proud to have been recognized and awarded for our commitment to providing students with superior study abroad experiences.

At IES Abroad, we understand that identity must be cultivated and supported in several ways and at multiple levels—from accessibility and inclusiveness to the learning environment and courses offered.

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad.

From visa requirements to travel details, our Program Advisors are your #1 resource for gearing up to study abroad.