A Study Abroad Partnership

IES Abroad is the trusted not-for-profit that delivers high-quality, academically rigorous study, internship, customized and faculty-led programs—supporting students every step of the way, managing risk with confidence, and partnering closely with schools through dedicated College Relations Managers.

IES Abroad offers colleges and universities:

  • Dedicated partnership: Each institution is supported by a College Relations Manager who provides proactive, highly responsive, and personalized attention.
  • Shared governance and accountability: Our academic governance committees shape academic direction and program review. Member schools have a voice and a vote in Consortium representation on these committees.
  • Professional development: Gain access to workshops, the IES Abroad Annual Conference, and familiarization trips to our Centers.
  • Trusted, tenured team: Deep academic and institutional expertise as a 75-year-old mission-driven, not-for-profit organization. | Average Center Director tenure: 14+ years | Average on-site staff tenure: 6+ years

IES Abroad offers students:

  • Academic excellence: Courses designed, reviewed, and governed through a rigorous approval process, with oversight from academic governance committees, faculty with outstanding credentials, and access to renowned, accredited international universities. 
  • Priced for quality: The program fee includes tuition, housing, and health insurance, along with high-quality predeparture and on-site support, small class sizes, and the opportunity for field trips and immersive experiences.
  • Quality housing and location: Well-appointed housing generally located in sought-after areas with an average commute of less than 30 minutes to the city center/our Center. 
  • A comprehensive standard of care: Experienced on-site staff provide excellent health, safety, and housing support 24/7.
  • Dedicated predeparture advising: From fully staffed U.S. teams supporting students throughout their journey including program advising and visa and entry processes. 
  • $7.9 million in financial aid annually: Need-based aid awarded to students applying from consortium member institutions expands access to study abroad.
  • Career-relevant skills and global competencies: Students report 86%+ satisfaction rates upon program completion, and internships, community-based learning, and volunteer opportunities are built into many programs.

Study Abroad

With 140+ study abroad programs in 34 destinations around the world, we offer a little bit of everything when it comes to study abroad.

On an IES Abroad program, students can enroll in courses at one of our Centers abroad, where they'll take classes alongside students from all over the United States. They also have the option to enroll in courses at a local university abroad. Or, they can choose to customize their academic schedule with courses at both. Our study abroad programs take learning outside of the classroom with optional internships, service learning placements, and course-related field trips.

All of your students' predeparture planning, advising, on-site support, courses, field trips, housing, and more are included on an IES Abroad program.

Learn More About Study Abroad

Internships

In addition to part-time internships available on our study abroad programs, IES Internships offers full-time summer and semester internships.

Alongside a guaranteed work placement, students will enroll in a for-credit internship seminar and optional foreign language course, where applicable.

With 12 IES Internships destinations around the world, students can gain the professional and cultural experience they need to get ahead while embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. 

Learn More About Internships Abroad

“I'm not sure I could have landed the high-profile jobs I've been lucky to have without studying abroad.”

Kayla J. • Wagner College • Dublin – Full-Time Semester Internship

Customized & Faculty-Led Programs

IES Abroad Customized Programs works with college/university staff and faculty to build study abroad programs unique to that school.

Students on a Customized Program get a hands-on learning experience while also fulfilling school-specific requirements. From large components such as location to the details of on-site orientation, IES Abroad Customized Programs and university staff/faculty turn study abroad ideas into a reality.

Learn More About Customized & Faculty-Led Programs

“We are grateful for the shared commitment to academic quality, seamless administrative procedures and thorough, caring student services. We use partners by college policy and choose IES Abroad due to our positive experiences.”

Robin C. • Executive Director, International Programs at Occidental College

Study Abroad Foundation

The Study Abroad Foundation (SAF), a department of IES Abroad, offers study abroad opportunities to university students enrolled at SAF member universities in China, Japan, Korea, and other select Asian countries. SAF programs are offered across 80 host colleges and universities in Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States, and give students the option to pursue traditional academic or language studies, complete an internship, or participate in personalized research programs.

Learn More About SAF

Jing Deng headshot
“I feel like studying abroad has changed me as a person. I’ve learned how to live independently. If you’re thinking about studying abroad - just do it - it’s a fantastic experience.”

Jing D. • SAF Student

What We Bring to the Table

Academic Excellence
a professor teaching while on a field trip in Bosnia

Academic Excellence

Our goal is simple: to provide the highest quality, most academically rigorous study abroad experiences in the world. From 1,000+ IES Abroad courses taught by local faculty to the option to take courses at a prestigious local university that we partner with, the academic combinations we offer allow students to create their own program that best suits their academic and personal goals.

Health & Safety
IES Abroad Cape Town staff at their desks

Health & Safety

One of the greatest benefits of partnering with IES Abroad is knowing that the health and safety of your students is our highest priority. Our health, safety, and crisis management plans helped set the standard for the entire study abroad field. This is what we’re known for—in fact we wrote a whole book about it.

75+ Years of Experience
the first cohort of IES Abroad students in Vienna, 1950

75+ Years of Experience

We know study abroad. We should—we’ve been doing it for 75+ years! A not-for-profit organization with staff around the world, IES Abroad is dedicated to serving as your trusted study abroad and internship partner.

Advising & Support
a student exploring study abroad options with their advisor

Advising & Support

We are ready to provide you and your students the support you need when you need it. Because every campus is different, your College Relations Manager knows the policies and procedures at your school, and will provide assistance based on your specific needs.

Academic Consortium
students pose for a photo in front of the Nanzan University sign in Nagoya

Academic Consortium

Our consortium is comprised of 275+ leading U.S. colleges and universities. Educational institutions that are part of the Consortium (as either Members or Associate Members) are actively involved in the mission, direction, and academic program development and review of IES Abroad programs.

Professional Development
colleagues talking at IES Abroad's Forum on Education Abroad Dinner

Professional Development

Cultivating excellence at all levels of the organization includes developing not only IES Abroad faculty and staff worldwide, but also offering unique professional development opportunities to our partners.

Our Identity Commitment
IES Abroad World of Difference logo over a photo of two students visiting the Roman Colosseum

Our Identity Commitment

As part of our commitment to making study abroad accessible to under-represented students, we’re proud to offer Identity Scholarships, a comprehensive list of identity resources, and personalized support from our Diversity team.

Our Global Good Commitment
IES Abroad Global Good Commitment

Our Global Good Commitment

In 2021, we created the 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.

Gregory D. Hess headshot
“I’ll tell you this: I’ve been so deeply and profoundly impressed by the IES Abroad culture. The resilience of the people here, their absolute dedication to study abroad, and their deep desire to relaunch it as soon as the world reawakens.”

Gregory H. • President & CEO at IES Abroad

Join Our Consortium

As one of the nation's oldest and most reputable study abroad providers, we are proud of our academic consortium of 275+ leading U.S. colleges and universities. 

Learn More About Our Consortium
two students with arms stretched out standing on a balcony in front of a gaudi mural wall