About IES Abroad

the first cohort of IES Abroad students in Vienna, 1950

We were founded in 1950.

IES Abroad was founded in 1950 by three study abroad students, and all this was happening by boat in those days. Back then, we were known as the Institute of European Studies; now, we're IES Abroad: Institute for the International Education of Students.

Learn More About Who We Are
a view of snowcapped mountains from inside a tent in New Zealand

We offer study abroad and internship programs in destinations around the world.

We offer semester and summer study abroad and part-time, full-time, and remote internships to students like you from partner schools like yours across the United States.

Find Your Program
three students are standing in front of a building in Granada, Spain

We're proud that our students are as diverse as the countries where they study abroad and intern.

We're committed to maintain a diverse and inclusive workforce and student body and providing the resources you need to feel the most “you” while you’re in a new place.

Browse Resources
student on an Environmental Studies & Sustainability course looking at a leaf with a magnifying glass

We’re putting sustainability on the map.

The goal of our Global Good Commitment is to ensure that we are doing all that we can to be an active participant in bettering the world. We are conscious that our actions are interconnected and have impact, and we know that this is a continuous journey towards change.

Read Our Global Good Commitment
Male student smiling big in Madrid

We plan for "what if" so you don't have to.

We put a huge emphasis on health and safety. We have the U.S. and overseas Crisis Management Team, Student Affairs squad, and 70+ years of expertise to back it up.

Learn More About Health & Safety
a student doing a "rock on" hand sign in front of a Barcelona city overlook

We put students first in all we do.

At IES Abroad, we're proud to be different. But you know what really sets us apart? Our commitment to you. As a not-for-profit study abroad and internship provider, you are our bottom line. Your success is our success. And in today’s world, that’s a pretty extraordinary thing.

See How We Put Students First

Next Steps

Use Our Program Finder
Our program finder will help you explore which program(s) fits your interests, major, and credit needs.
Find Your Program
Apply for Scholarships & Aid
Submit an application, and we'll let you know which of our scholarship and aid options you qualify for.
Learn How to Apply
Create an Account
Be sure to create an account with an email address you check, and add our addresses to your safe senders list.
Create an Account
Renew Your Passport
Even if you’re not sure where or when you want to go, we recommend applying for or renewing one as soon as you can.
Explore Passport & Visa Requirements
Apply for a Program
Apply for a program if you’re at the point where you’re ready to take the leap and go abroad within the next year.
Apply Now

FAQs

boats at Nice Port
the neon lights and crowd-filled street in Akihabara, Tokyo
camels silhouetted against the sunset in the Sahara desert
two students sit on the edge of a mountain above Cape Town's city and coast line
the Roman Forum in Rome

Tell the World Your Story

We figured there's no one better to tell the story of study abroad than our phenomenal students, so in 2014 we launched our Study Abroad Film Festival (the first in the industry of its kind!), which asks students to capture the spirit of study abroad—both what it meant to them, and how it redefined their world.

Discover Our Film Festival

Students set up a tent in New Zealand at night.
IES Abroad Christchurch

Become a Blogger, Photographer, or Social Media Correspondent

It may sound cheesy, but it’s the truth: each year, many IES Abroad students say that a Correspondent post helped them confirm their study abroad decision and know what to expect abroad. Sharing your stories as a Correspondent can make a huge impact. 

And what’s more, we value authenticity. That’s why we never edit what our Correspondents cover. Our role is to simply provide a platform to share your story with the world. What you see from our Correspondents is 100% their voice and their experience. And, because we value the work it takes to share these stories, we provide compensation to Correspondents when they complete the program requirements (yep, that means you get paid). 

Learn About Our Correspondent Program

“If writing is also how you express yourself best, my strongest recommendation would be to apply to the Correspondent Program since it is a structured chance to reflect on your life in your host country in real time.”
Kat P. • Scripps College • Granada – Study in Granada

The Student Experience

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Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

Contact an Ambassador
three students standing in front of fair table with IES Abroad catalogs

Start picturing your life abroad through the @IESabroad feed.

See what it's like to study abroad in real time. Follow @IESabroad on all your favorite social media platforms for the latest videos, photos, blog posts, and updates from our students and staff around the world.

 

“My mother always told me that she wanted to study abroad in college ever since she was young, but chose not to when the time came because she was worried that she’d miss out on too much at college and with her friends. She now admits that it's one of the biggest regrets of her life.”
Victoria P. • Bentley University • Milan
Experience our students-first philosophy first-hand

See the IES Abroad Difference

Throughout your study abroad journey we'll be here to support you from predeparture, throughout your program, and as part of our alumni community. 

Apply Now
ocean at sunset with hill and logo that reads students first