Finding the right study abroad program can seem daunting. With thousands of programs available and many locations to choose from, narrowing down your options can be difficult. Here, we have compiled a list of the best study abroad program providers. These organizations were selected based on program quality, educational quality, student support, and the uniqueness of their programs. Any of them will provide you with an unforgettable study abroad experience: now it’s up to you to choose the kind of experience you are looking for.

Finding the right study abroad program can seem daunting. With thousands of programs available and many locations to choose from, narrowing down your options can be difficult. Here, we have compiled a list of the best study abroad program providers. These organizations were selected based on program quality, educational quality, student support, and the uniqueness of their programs. Any of them will provide you with an unforgettable study abroad experience: now it’s up to you to choose the kind of experience you are looking for.

AFS Intercultural Programs

AFS Intercultural Programs is a nonprofit international exchange program. AFS International Programs was founded in 1915 as the American Ambulance Field Service, a humanitarian ambulance corps that provided healthcare services in warzones. Today, they function as a study abroad organization that connects over 10,000 students annually with study abroad opportunities. AFS Intercultural Programs is active in 113 countries and offers a variety of programs, including community service programs for high school students and graduates, month-long summer programs, and standard semester- and year-long programs for college students.

• Best for: Study abroad, gap year, high school exchange, volunteer programs
• Locations: Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Latin America, North America, Oceania
• Scholarships: YES

CIEE

Founded in 1947 with the goal of fostering cultural exchange and peaceful international relations, CIEE offers a wide variety of international exchange programs, including study abroad, intern abroad, and gap year programs.Their study abroad programs operate in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. They have programs open to students of all majors. In addition to college programs, they offer exchange programs for high school students.

• Best for: Study abroad, intern abroad, gap year, high school exchange
• Locations: Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Latin America, Middle East
• Scholarships: YES

CIS Abroad

CIS Abroad offers study abroad, intern abroad, and summer study abroad programs in 19 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Asia, South Africa, and Hawaii. CIS Abroad programs vary in length and immersion level. Students can participate in three-week micro-internships in their field, two-week long immersion programs, or traditional semester-long programs. Most CIS Abroad participants are awarded grants and scholarships to help fund their abroad experience.

• Best for: Study abroad, intern abroad
• Locations:  Asia, Australia, Europe, Hawaii, Latin America, New Zealand, South Africa
• Scholarships: YES

Forum-Nexus Study Abroad: Multi-Country Summer in Europe

Can’t decide where to study? Forum-Nexus Study Abroad is a multi-country study abroad program that takes students to various cities throughout Europe. Destinations vary by session, but most include major cities such as Barcelona, London, Milan, Paris, and Amsterdam. The program is open to students of all majors, and students have the option to participate in internships through the program. 

• Best for: Multi-country study abroad, intern abroad
• Locations: Europe
• Scholarships: YES

IES Abroad

IES Abroad is an independent study abroad organization that provides 6,500 students annually with the opportunity to study or intern abroad. IES Abroad manages over 140 study abroad programs in more than 30 locations worldwide. They additionally run internship programs in 15 locations around the world. With such a wide variety of programs available, IES Abroad makes it possible for students to connect with a program that fits their academic interests in an exciting location. IES Abroad also offers more than $6 million in scholarships and aid to students each year.

• Best for: Study abroad, intern abroad
• Locations: Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Latin America
• Scholarships: YES

SAI Programs

SAI is a study abroad provider that connects students with study abroad opportunities at universities for English-speaking students in Europe. These are academically rigorous programs designed to immerse students in the culture of their destination country while also providing strong experience related to their academic discipline or professional aspirations. SAI runs programs in a variety of European cities, including Barcelona, Paris, and several cities in Europe. Additionally, students can study in a variety of academic fields, including business, communications, visual arts, natural sciences, social sciences, hospitality, and more.

• Best for: Study abroad, intern abroad, professional training abroad
• Locations: Europe
• Scholarships: YES

Seamester

Seamester is a uniquely immersive semester at sea program designed primarily for students interested in oceanography, marine biology, and nautical science. In Seamester programs, students are not only passengers on a ship, but members of the crew. The programs are small; most only take about 25 students and take place on a yacht or sailboat rather than a cruise ship. During a Seamester, students will sail from one country to another, often anchoring at various ports and cities along the way. Some programs are short, taking students through the Carribean Islands; others take students all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. The amount of time spent on land and water varies. In all programs, students gain scuba and sailing experience. Some more sailing-intensive programs enable students to gain skipper and crew training credits.

• Best for: Multi-country study abroad, semester at sea
• Locations: Africa, Caribbean Islands, Europe, South Pacific
• Scholarships: YES

Semester at Sea

Semester at Sea gives students the opportunity to spend an entire semester traveling across the world aboard a cruise ship. Open to students of all majors, program participants take courses on board and travel around the world, with stopovers in various continents. One program, for example, takes students all the way from the Netherlands to Tokyo, Japan, with stops in Ghana, South Africa, India, Vietnam, and more. These multi-country study abroad programs give students a unique opportunity to experience a broad range of cultures in a short amount of time.

• Best for: Multi-country study abroad, semester at sea
• Locations: Africa, Asia, Europe, South America
• Scholarships: YES

Sol Education Abroad

Sol Education Abroad is an independent study abroad program focused on Spanish language education. Sol Education runs programs in four Spanish-speaking countries: Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain. All programs include interactive Spanish language classes, cultural immersion activities, and travel excursions. Sol Education’s programs place students with carefully-selected host families, providing true language immersion, daily meals, and laundry. Sol Education Abroad is open to undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, and even adults.

• Best for: Language immersion, host-family living
• Locations: Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain
• Scholarships: YES

Youth For Understanding (YFU)

Youth For Understanding (YFU) is an international nonprofit organization that connects students with intercultural exchange programs in more than 60 countries. YFU has been in operation for nearly 70 years, during which it has provided over half a million students with study abroad opportunities. YFU offers university programs in only four countries: Argentina, Chile, China, and Ecuador. Participants in these programs may stay with a host family or in university housing. However, YFU also offers gap year programs in 20 countries in North and South America, Europe, and Asia, as well as young adult programs for people ages 18-26, and adult study tours for people ages 19 and up.

• Best for: Study abroad, gap year, high school exchange
• Locations: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Oceania
• Scholarships: YES

Conclusion

Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, meet fellow students from around the world, and gain an education in a new country. These programs will help make your dreams of studying abroad a reality.

For more scholarship opportunities, check these 12 study abroad scholarships.