The Value of an Onsite Experience

We believe that one of the best ways to learn about our programs is to head to one of our Centers with us and immerse yourself in the same communities and learning environments as your students. 

There are many ways coordinators, advisors, administrators, and faculty members can experience IES Abroad Study Abroad, Internship and Customized & Faculty-Led program locations firsthand. Request an individual visit a Center, join us on a Familiarization trip, or participate in one of our special onsite events.

Ways to Visit

Individual Visits to Our Centers

We would be thrilled to host you at one of our Centers!  Individual visits are coordinated to best meet visitor’s individual objectives and goals. 

Examples of activities include: touring the IES Abroad Center; meeting with Center staff and faculty; observing IES Abroad or partner university classes; learning more about internships; seeing student housing; meeting with students; learning more about customized programming. Although visits are facilitated through IES Abroad, visitors cover their own costs.

Request a Site Visit

Familiarization Trips by Application

Fam Trips are designed to give participants a first-hand understanding of our programming and the student experience.  Fam Trip experiences are focused on more than just the location. Each trip will give IES Abroad Consortium Member institution’s participants insight into IES Abroad key programming elements through the lens of the particular IES Abroad location and will also provide insight into what to expect from IES Abroad programming across locations.

These opportunities are affordable. Our opportunities are highly subsidized by IES Abroad (roughly 80%). We cover the majority of the associated costs including travel, accommodations, most meals, group activities, and local transportation. 

 

2025 Familiarization Trip

Familiarization Trips by Invitation

group of staff standing on steps smiling

Advisor Workshops Abroad (AWA)

Our Advisor Workshops Abroad are geared toward advising staff who work directly with advising students and/or influence institutional policy to get to know key elements of IES Abroad specific to a theme or program. The ideal participant has two to three years of experience in the field and/or in your office.

April 2025
Freiburg, Germany

two lines of staff sitting in desks watching a presentation projected onto a screen with a staff member standing at the front

Diversity Workshops Abroad (DWA)

This unique professional development workshop brings together professionals from different departments and levels of experience on campuses across the US to deepen conversations around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Antiracism (DEIA). While using the city as a lab, participants will explore topics like Globalization, Decolonization, and Antiracism while amplifying non-majority perspectives, culture, and history.

April 2025
Santiago, Chile

group of staff smiling on a grassy patch on the rooftop of a building

Faculty-Led Programs Workshop Abroad

Faculty-Led Programs Workshops Abroad are structured as a program development workshop appealing to the range of positions on your campuses: study abroad staff, administrators and faculty will learn together the components of curriculum design, timelines, and how to work with a provider. These trips will appeal to a seasoned veteran and to those who are new to the field.

June 2025
Barcelona, Spain

large group of staff in front of a sydney start up sign

Internship Programming Familiarization Trips

Internship Familiarization Trips immerse participants in the pre-departure and on-site processes at a center to help better advise future students on our application and placement process. Participants will meet with current interns and supervisors to get a feel for life in the city as an intern.

Summer 2025
Cape Town, South Africa

staff members smiling in front of sunny buildings

Special Onsite Events

Periodically we host events at our centers when we know our partners will already be in the area. These events are often held adjacent to conferences or other events. While every event is different, they often include program overviews, meeting onsite staff & faculty, touring facilities, seeing housing, visiting partner institutions, and light refreshments or meals.  For these events, travel costs are covered by the participant. Browse our list of upcoming onsite events to see if any align with your schedule. 

See Upcoming Events

Be Our Guest

Visit a Center

There are multiple ways to get the IES Abroad experience. Browse our list of upcoming center visits, and join us abroad.

See Upcoming Center Visits
group of staff huddled together on a terrace smiling