Study Abroad Opportunities for College Students
Studying abroad is not just about academic growth. It's a transformative journey that expands your horizons and reshapes your perspective. Stepping into a new country is stepping out of your comfort zone, and it's in this unfamiliar territory that you truly learn. You’ll build confidence, learn to adapt fast, and start seeing the world (and yourself) in totally new ways.
What does it mean to study abroad?
Studying abroad is when a student gets part of their education in another country. Instead of just reading about global issues in a textbook, you live them, whether that’s enrolling at a university overseas, or joining a faculty-led trip, or traveling the world with a program.
Studying abroad is not just about earning credits. It’s about learning how to navigate new cultures, languages, and ways of thinking. In short, studying abroad turns the world into your classroom and pushes you to grow in ways a regular semester at home can’t.
Why study abroad?
Beyond the excitement of it, studying abroad can boost your academics, too. You might take classes you can’t get at home, work on research or field projects, and connect what you’re learning in class to what you’re experiencing in real life.
But the biggest impact of studying abroad? It’s often the unexpected moments that stay with you for a lifetime. It's the friends you make and the local conversations that change how you think. These are the experiences that make studying abroad truly unique and enriching.
Types of study abroad programs
There are many different ways to study abroad. What you choose really depends on what you want out of the experience. Some programs keep you in one country the whole time. Others take you around the world. Here are some of the most common options:
Semester-based exchanges: This is the classic model. You enroll at a partner university abroad for a whole semester, usually taking classes alongside local students. It’s great if you want to really immerse yourself in one place and feel like a temporary local. You’ll get the most exposure to the language, culture, and daily life there.
Faculty-led short-term trips: These are usually shorter programs (one to six weeks) tied to a specific course, often during summer or winter break. You’ll travel with a group from your school, guided by a professor. It’s a good intro to global learning if you’re nervous about going solo or can’t commit to a whole semester.
Direct enrollment in foreign universities: Some students go completely independent and apply directly to a university abroad. This takes more planning and paperwork, but it gives you full immersion and often more course options. It’s best for students who are ready to navigate things on their own.
What to consider when choosing a program
Before you pack your bags, it’s worth taking time to figure out which kind of program actually fits you. Studying abroad isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your goals, major, budget, and comfort level all play a part. Here’s what to think about:
Academic Fit: Will the credits transfer to your home school? Can you stay on track with your major or pick up electives that count? Check with your academic advisor before committing.
Location: City or rural? Europe or Asia? One country or ten? Think about what kind of environment you want to live and learn in, and whether you want something totally new or more familiar.
Language: Some programs are taught entirely in English, even abroad. Others require or encourage language immersion. Choose based on your comfort and curiosity.
Budget: Costs vary widely. Look beyond tuition. Your flights, meals, excursions, insurance, and visa fees can add up. Some programs offer better scholarship access than others, so do your homework.
Cultural Immersion: Do you want to become part of one community for a few months, or explore multiple places in one semester? That choice shapes everything, from your friendships to your worldview.
Pro tip: If you're the kind of student who loves connecting the dots between cultures, thrives in tight-knit communities, or learns best by moving, a travel-based program like Semester at Sea might be the perfect fit.
One unique option: Semester at Sea
What is Semester at Sea?
Semester at Sea is a global study abroad program where students live and learn on a ship that travels to 10–11 countries across 3–4 continents in a single semester. The ship itself becomes your campus, complete with classrooms, faculty, student life staff, and all the support systems you’d find at a small university.
Classes are held onboard while the ship is at sea. The academic structure is similar to a traditional semester, with a variety of courses offered across different disciplines. Then, in each port, the world becomes your classroom for five to six days. Whether you’re visiting a civil rights museum in South Africa or hiking to a temple in India, you’ll be learning through real-world experiences that connect directly to what you’re studying.
Who is it for?
If you're curious, open-minded, and ready to see the world from more than one angle, Semester at Sea might be your thing. Students who thrive in this program aren’t afraid to dive into new experiences, both on the ship and in each country they visit.
It’s a good fit if you’re the kind of person who wants to:
- Explore multiple cultures in one semester
- Form deep friendships in a tight-knit community
- Learn through both academics and travel
- See global issues from various perspectives
What makes Semester at Sea different?
Semester at Sea stands out because it’s not just one country or culture. It’s the opportunity to compare and connect many of them. As one staff member put it,
“Our ship transforms into a living campus that travels to more than 10 countries… students witness their classroom lessons come alive in real-world contexts.”
You’re not just learning about global development. You’re seeing how it plays out differently in Ghana, Brazil, and Vietnam. You're not just studying history — you're standing in it.
Another difference? The community. With around 500 students from 200+ universities and 20+ countries, plus professors, staff, and even faculty families with “ship kids,” the Semester at Sea community becomes tight fast. Everyone is new and embarking on an epic, shared adventure, and that creates bonds that often last for life.
Destinations & memorable experiences
Some voyages include:
- Walking the cobblestone streets of Lisbon, Portugal
- Visiting the Taj Mahal in India
- Meeting civil rights leaders in South Africa
- Going on safari in Kenya
- Exploring markets in Morocco or museums in Spain
These aren't just Instagram moments. They’re touchpoints that shape how students see the world and their role in it.
Academics and credit transfer
Students on Semester at Sea choose from over 70 courses offered through Colorado State University (CSU), a fully accredited institution. Faculty come from top schools like Stanford, NYU, Howard, Purdue, and CSU, and teach both major-specific classes and electives that tie into the regions you're visiting.
One-third of classes are lower division and two-thirds are upper division, so it works for students at different stages. Because everything goes through CSU, credits are usually easy to transfer back to your home university. Just be sure to confirm this with your advisor.
Support systems onboard
The MV World Odyssey isn’t just a ship. It’s a floating support network. Students have access to:
- A five-person medical team (including a full-time doctor and nurse practitioner)
- A counseling center with licensed therapists
- A Dean of Students, an Assistant Dean, and six Resident Directors
- Academic advisors, librarians, writing support, and voyage communications staff
There’s also a dedicated Care Team that meets daily while at sea to help with anything that could affect your well-being, from mental health to academic struggles to community safety.
Affordability and financial aid
Semester at Sea is a nonprofit program, and that means they offer scholarships and grants — many funded by alumni — to make the experience more accessible. Merit-based and need-based options are available, and in many cases, students can apply existing university aid to the program.
Don’t assume it’s out of reach until you’ve looked at the numbers. Many students make it work with a mix of scholarships, financial aid, and planning.
Success after the voyage
Semester at Sea doesn’t just change your semester. It can change your life path. Some students find clarity about their major. Others come away with the confidence to lead, start businesses, or pursue global careers.
Take Dr. Mara Karlin, who went on to work for three U.S. Presidents in the Department of Defense and now teaches at Johns Hopkins. She credits Semester at Sea with setting her path in motion:
“I reflect on my Semester at Sea experience pretty regularly… It kind of blew my brain open in starting to understand the issues in the world in different regions and how I might engage with them.”
How to prepare for studying abroad
Studying abroad takes more than just saying “yes” to the adventure. It takes a little planning, too. But don’t stress: with the right timeline and tools, you can make it happen.
Get clear on deadlines
Most programs have application deadlines 6–12 months in advance, so start early. If you’re thinking about a fall semester abroad, that usually means applying in the winter or early spring. Talk to your study abroad office and academic advisor to figure out what’s possible with your major and schedule.
Line up financial aid and scholarships
Study abroad can be affordable, but only if you do your homework. Some programs (like Semester at Sea) offer their own merit- and need-based scholarships. Others let you apply for aid from your home university or federal grants. You can also look into external options like the Gilman, Boren, or Fund for Education Abroad scholarships.
Tip: Start researching costs early and build a rough budget that includes flights, meals, excursions, and other expenses such as travel insurance or visa fees.
Take care of travel logistics
You’ll need a valid passport, and in some cases, one or more visas. Some countries require vaccinations or health documentation, so be sure to check with your program and the CDC travel website. Don’t forget international insurance. Most programs either provide it or require it.
If you’re going on a multi-country program like Semester at Sea, pay extra attention to:
- Visa timelines for each country
- Currency exchange rates
- International data plans or Wi-Fi access
Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally
No matter where you go, studying abroad will stretch you. That’s part of the point. Be ready for culture shock, communication hiccups, and a few hard days — but also for major personal growth. The more flexible and curious you are, the more you’ll get out of it.
Final thoughts: Is study abroad right for you?
Studying abroad isn’t just for one “type” of student. You don’t have to be fluent in another language, or majoring in international studies, or have your life perfectly mapped out. What matters most is your mindset. You need curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to learn from the world around you.
Maybe you're dreaming of one country and full immersion. Or perhaps you’re drawn to a multi-country experience like Semester at Sea, where the learning happens everywhere, in lectures, on city streets, and even on the ship in between.
Here’s what to ask yourself:
- Are you open to new perspectives, even when they challenge you?
- Do you want to make your education more hands-on and global?
- Are you ready to grow in ways you can’t always plan for?
If that sounds like you, then yes! Studying abroad could be one of the best decisions you make in your higher education journey.
Ready to start your study abroad journey?
Whether you’re drawn to a semester in one country or an epic multi-country adventure like Semester at Sea, the first step is getting clear on your options.
Use Appily’s tools to find programs, explore scholarships, and start checking things off your college prep and planning list. From financial aid tips to college admission calculators, we’ve got tools to help you make study abroad possible.
Your future classroom could be in Barcelona, Cape Town, or Tokyo, or even on the deck of a ship sailing across the world. Wherever it is, one thing’s certain: the world is waiting, and it’s your move.
