Study abroad is a life-changing experience for higher education students.
I’ll never forget my experience in Zimbabwe, for instance. Before I spent a semester during my junior year at Colorado College studying in this southern African nation, I was sure I wanted to go to medical school and work in a major U.S. city.
Featured ProgramsBut when I returned from Zimbabwe, I was smitten with a desire to explore more of the world. As a result, I ended up joining the student newspaper and pursuing a career in journalism rather than medicine. As a college graduate, I then spent the better part of a decade continent-hopping around the globe, including multiple return trips to Africa, writing more than 30 travel guides for Lonely Planet.
I’m far from the only one who had a transformative study abroad program. Today Eric Stoen runs a popular family travel blog, Travel Babbo, which has roots in his experience studying in Italy and Germany while at Pepperdine University.
“After Pepperdine, I got my Masters in International Management, largely as a result of my studies in Europe, and I kept traveling,” Stoen says. “A long weekend – why not go to Australia? A friend’s birthday in Lithuania? Absolutely. And now with kids, I’ve continued to travel. My 10-year-old has been to all seven continents. My eight-year-old has been to 37 countries. I’ve never gotten tired of traveling, and it all started with my year abroad in Florence.”
When a student spends a semester or year abroad, it can help them:
Summer study abroad programs can inspire students to explore the world and develop a passion for travel. This real-world learning experience is unmatched by traditional classroom environments here in the United States. College graduates gain important career skills and knowledge through study abroad and exchange programs.
But how do you find the best study abroad programs? Here’s a look at which programs stand out from the crowd — and how to narrow down your options of the colleges with study abroad programs.
Even if you made the decision to study overseas, you may be overwhelmed by options. It’s important to know which schools offer strong academic standards and deep cultural experiences, because not all study abroad programs are created equal.
There are many different types of study abroad opportunities available to interested students. These include:
Some schools offer hand-tailored, faculty led field trips that are academically rigorous and focused on specific areas like urban planning, international business or business administration. Other study abroad opportunities are more focused on
In this list, we focus on the academic programs that offer the most return on investment. Here, you’ll find the best study abroad programs from schools that focus equally on academics, immersive learning such as field trips, professional development, and real world experience.
From small liberal arts colleges to state universities, these 25 schools offer some of the best study abroad programs.