All IES Abroad Centers are equipped with a Wi-Fi connection. You may connect your laptop, cell phone, and other WiFi-enabled devices during office hours. To access internet outside of IES Abroad Center hours, you may choose to visit local cafes where internet access is available, university libraries (depending on your enrollment), your housing accommodation, and other WiFi hotspots throughout the city. Be sure to check with your cellular provider to ensure that you may access the Internet on your phone when connected to WiFi without incurring mobile data costs. You'll probably want to set...

Contact the Access & Strategic Partnership Team For questions about navigating identity abroad, please contact the Access & Strategic Partnerships Team at accesspartnerships@iesabroad.org or 800.995.2300.

The IES Abroad Student Handbook is designed to help you integrate, understand, and enjoy the new culture you are about to experience. It is very important that you read the handbook before you go—it includes the following information about your upcoming time abroad: Housing & Meals Communication Internships Health & Insurance Safety Identity Abroad IES Abroad Policies Read the Student Handbook

Code of Student Responsibility The IES Abroad Code of Student Responsibility is based on the premise that our students are guests abroad. IES Abroad students are expected to abide by the customs of the country in which they are studying and are legally subject to the same laws that govern local students. Students who participate in IES Abroad programs are representatives of IES Abroad at all times for the duration of their enrollment. Any student who violates any policy outlined in the Code will be subject to administrative review and possible sanctions up to and including dismissal from the...

What you gain on your program will likely go beyond friendships, travel savvy, and academic achievement. Study abroad also provides you the unique opportunity to develop intercultural competence, the set of skills required to work and communicate successfully and appropriately with people from other cultures. Here are a few ways you can develop intercultural competence abroad: Be aware of your own cultural orientation and how it impacts your experience of and behavior in your new surroundings. Pay attention to the people in your host city, and try to recognize how their cultures impact their...

Read our Refund Policy to learn about your options should you choose to cancel your participation this term.

According to IES Abroad policy, you must have a working cell phone within a week of your arrival. Students typically opt for one of the following: Use your cell phone from home if your provider offers an international phone plan. Bring an unlocked smartphone and purchase either a physical sim card or e-sim card, if available. This option is recommended. Note that U.S. iPhone 14 models or later do not have a SIM tray, so users can only use eSIMs (if carrier supports eSIM tech) rather than a physical SIM card. Independently purchase or rent a physical cell phone from a local provider after...

Packing Basics Start to follow the local weather and do some research about seasonal temperatures and precipitation. Pack as light as possible! Students often regret that they packed too much. Leave room for the souvenirs you’ll want to bring home with you. Be able to carry your luggage up a flight of stairs on your own (*If you have a physical impairment that affects your ability to do this, please notify your advisor and the on-site center staff). Make sure your luggage will fit inside the trunk of a small taxi. Be aware of airlines’ limits to the weight and number of bags and any fees...

Students are encouraged to carefully consider whether they want IES Abroad-provided housing or to arrange their own. Many colleges and universities have specific policies about independent housing, with some not permitting it due to associated risks. If a student chooses to live independently, they are fully responsible for all aspects of securing, vetting, and managing their housing. IES Abroad cannot assist with independent housing arrangements or housing managers. It is important that we know in advance if a student intends to live in independent housing. Therefore, students requesting...

Our commitment to your health and safety includes international health insurance that covers you from the first day of your program to the last day of your program. Once you have confirmed your place in the program, we will automatically enroll you in Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) international health insurance on your behalf. The mandatory insurance is included in your program cost and cannot be waived unless your school carries the same exact policy through CISI. You will receive an insurance confirmation/registration e-mail prior to departure. The insurance plan is...