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How to Pick a Study Abroad Program

  • Overview
  • Benefits of Study Abroad
  • How to Study Abroad
  • Picking Your Program
  • What's Included
  • Diversity Resources
  • Community-Based Learning
  • Contact a Past Student

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Home | Study Abroad | Picking Your Program

Your best fit program is a few clicks away.

Each of our 135 study abroad and internship programs is unique (and awesome!)—and not just in its location.

Programs are geared toward specific majors, interests, internship goals, community-based learning placements, and more. Whichever you choose, the experience is likely to change your life for the better, but it’s key to select the right program that meets your specific goals and interests.

To get started on your educational adventure, ask yourself these questions.

Narrow Down Your Options
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Do you speak another language or do you want to learn one?

There’s no better way to learn a language than through studying abroad. From Spanish, French, and Italian to Mandarin, Japanese, and Arabic, many of our programs are designed to improve your language skills—no matter what level you’re at.

Some programs are fully immersive (where you will only speak the host language), while others have no language requirement and include language courses as part of the overall curriculum. Explore programs by language courses offered.

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Do you have a location in mind?

If you can narrow it down to a country (or even a continent), you’ve already begun to focus in on your search. You can browse all of our programs by location.

Need to narrow down further? Consider what's most important to you. Outdoor adventures? Arts and culture? Sunny days? Incredible food? Answering these questions will help! Discover the best places to study abroad based on your interests and hobbies.

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Do you have requirements you need to fulfill for graduation?

There are programs that focus on specific disciplines and those that are more general in scope. Sort through programs by area of study and filter by specific disciplines.

Talk with your academic advisor and study abroad advisor to learn how credits transfer to your home college or university.

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Do you want to study for a full semester, a summer, or an academic year?

Most of our 33 locations offer all of these options, so whatever the answer is, we’ve got you covered!

Not sure? You can always try out a program and enroll in a second semester or summer while you’re there. (You’ll get a pretty sweet discount, too!) Get started by filtering programs by length in our program finder.

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Do you want to do an internship or community-based learning placement?

Many of our programs offer part-time internships or community-based learning placements (at no additional cost) that will enhance your experience abroad and add hands-on, international experience to your résumé. Placements are for credit and available in a wide-variety of fields and interests. Learn more about internships and community-based learning.

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Ask About the Details

Just as each of our 135 programs are unique, so is your own adventure.

Our team of College Relations Managers are available to answer any of your questions about to help you find your best fit program.

Contact Your Representative
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Where Will Study Abroad Take You?
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IES Abroad

Founded in 1950, IES Abroad is a not-for-profit provider with 140+ study abroad and internship programs around the world for college/university students.

IES Abroad is comprised of study abroad programming, Customized & Faculty-Led Programs, IES Internships, and the Study Abroad Foundation (SAF).

IES Abroad is a 501(c)(3) entity. The federal tax identification number for IES Abroad is 36-2251912.

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Chicago, IL  60603

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