Living and studying overseas can broaden your cultural, intellectual, career, and personal horizons. Sometimes studying abroad can be cheaper than studying at your own college.

College and high school students can choose from hundreds of academic programs, volunteer opportunities, and internships.

Programs can last a semester, a summer, a school year, or a few weeks. As we move to a more global economy, this is a perfect time to consider studying abroad.

With astute research and planning, any student can afford to study abroad.

Find Answers to Study Abroad Questions

• Benefits
• Research study programs and destinations
• Tips
• Ways to pay
• Travel documents
• Cultural changes
• Health and safety guidelines
• Stay connected
• Cash and banking

Federal financial aid can often be applied toward study abroad. Sometimes studying abroad is cheaper than studying at your own college. And study abroad programs aren't just for foreign language majors. Many disciplines — even engineering and the sciences — recognize the value of international study.

Types of Programs
Study abroad programs usually fall into two categories:

• Sponsored by a U.S. institution
• Sponsored by an international institution

The sponsor offers the program and generally makes your academic and living arrangements. According to Ann M. Moore, author of Insider's Guide to Study Abroad programs can then be further broken down into university enrollment or "island" programs:

• U.S. sponsor/university enrollment. American schools help U.S. students enroll directly in university classes in another country.
• International sponsor/university enrollment. Host universities overseas directly recruit American students and make academic and living arrangements.
• U.S. sponsor/"island" program. American schools make overseas arrangements for American students and also create the curriculum.
• International sponsor/"island" program. Overseas institutions arrange study programs exclusively for American or international students.

These programs are generally offered for the following durations:

• Short-term programs last a few weeks (usually less than a semester). This option is increasingly popular because of its lower cost. Students in short-term programs rose from 28% to 46% over the 13 years that this information has been tracked.
• Semester (fall or spring)
• Summer
• Academic year

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