What is your ideal experience?
Researching study abroad options as early as possible will allow you to choose a program that best fits your academic and personal goals, and allows you time to complete application and preparation steps.
Ask yourself:
- What is my ideal study abroad experience?
- What are my personal, academic, and professional goals for my time abroad?
- What do I hope to gain from my study abroad experience?
- What do I need to do in order to make my study abroad dreams a reality?
Reflection Questions
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Location
- Where do I want to go? What do I want to see? Are there study abroad programs available in that location?
- How far do I want to step outside of my comfort zone?
- What kind of environmental climate am I looking for? (hot, cold, rainy, snowy, etc.)
- What kind of social & cultural climate and I looking for? (more conservative, more liberal, more religious, more social, more accepting, more diverse, etc.)
- Would I feel comfortable living in a location where English is not the primary language? Do I want to go somewhere to practice my language and communication skills?
- Would I rather be in an urban or rural location?
- What types of transportation options do I feel comfortable taking? What types of transportation options are available in my desired location?
- Do I want to travel to other locations and countries while abroad, or would I rather stay in one location?
- What types of housing would I prefer? (single room, private bathroom, dorm-style housing, shared apartment, roommate(s), on-campus, off-campus, LGBTQ+ friendly, single gender, co-ed, international students only, etc.)
- What kind of independence level would I prefer? (group vs. independent)
- What kind of campus activities, clubs, and opportunities am I interested in?
- What are my personal preferences regarding health & safety? (distance to nearest hospital, prevalence of any disease, ease of accessing healthcare, crime rate, laws & law enforcement, risk of natural disasters, social unrest & protests, etc.)
- Does my desired location require a visa? Am I comfortable going through the visa process?
- Does my desired location relate to my personal, professional, and academic goals?
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Courses & Academics
- What kind of courses do I want to take abroad? (gen-eds, electives, major courses, minor courses, courses outside my program of study)
- What subject areas do I want to take abroad?
- In what languages would I be able to take courses?
- What courses are left in my degree works? What courses do I need to take to graduate?
- Are there any special requirements for the courses in my degree works? (Some courses are required to be taken at ETSU, some courses must be taken during a certain semester/year/sequence, etc.)
- What kind of experiences do I want to have abroad? (taking courses, internships, field placement, research, clinical rotation, service learning, mission work, etc.)
- Am I comfortable going through the visa process?
- Do the courses I want to take abroad lend themselves to any certain location?
- Do I want to participate in an internship or service-learning program abroad? How does this relate to my personal, professional, and academic goals?
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Timing
- When do I want to study abroad? (spring semester, spring break, summer break, fall semester, winter break, academic year, calendar year)
- How long do I want to be abroad?
- What obligations do I have at home or on campus that I wouldn't want to miss?
- When do I plan to graduate? Will that impact when I study abroad?
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Funding
- What is the overall cost I would feel comfortable paying for my study abroad program?
- What is the cost of living in my desired location?
- What kind of lifestyle do I want to live abroad? (more indulgent than in the US, similar to how I live in the US, less indulgent than in the US)
- Do I want to use financial aid to help pay for my program abroad? What do I need to do in order to use my financial aid abroad?
- Do I plan to apply for scholarships to help pay for my program abroad? What are the requirements for these scholarships? When are the deadlines?
- How much personal funds would I feel comfortable using to help pay for my program abroad?
- Would I feel comfortable fundraising for my study abroad program?
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Eligibility
- Does my GPA meet the minimum requirement for this program?
- Does my class standing meet the minimum requirement for this program?
- Does my program require any course prerequisites? Have I taken them?
- Does my program require a certain level of language skills?
- Does my host country require a visa?
Summer, Winter, & Spring Break Programs
ETSU Study Abroad Advisor: Courtney Lucas, lucascp@etsu.edu
ETSU Faculty-Led
These programs are a great way to study abroad with a group of other ETSU students. Programs are led by ETSU faculty and are usually around 2-3 weeks. You pay ETSU tuition plus program costs (housing, activities, some meals, etc.). Some forms of financial aid may be used (please consult a financial aid counselor), and you can apply for the ETSU Study Abroad Scholarship.
If you are planning to attend an ETSU faculty-led program, you are exempt from attending an interest session.
Fall 2025 Programs
- Gatton College of Pharmacy in Malawi
- Contact: Emily Flores, florese@etsu.edu
- Application coming soon
Spring Break 2026 Programs
- Program information coming Fall 2025!
Summer 2026 Programs
- Program information coming Fall 2025!
Direct Enrollment Faculty-Led
There are many other faculty-led groups that you can join as an ETSU student. The programs listed below offer great opportunities to study abroad in a wider range of world regions/countries and take courses in additional subject areas. While there may or may not be other ETSU students on these programs, you will be with a group of other students from Tennessee, Kentucky, or nearby states, and your faculty leaders will arrange the program for you. For all of these programs, you will pay all fees directly to the organization and not to ETSU.
Please note: Before applying to any of the programs listed here, you must first attend an interest session. More information about the application process can be found here.
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CCSA Faculty-Led
CCSA, or Cooperative Center for Study Abroad, offers Summer & Winter break faculty-led group programs in English-speaking countries, including the UK, Ireland, Belize, and Australia. Courses tend to be electives and may be interdisciplinary. Examples include Brewing & Distillation Studies in the UK & Ireland, Ethnographic Field School in Belize, and Travel Storytelling through Photography in England, among many others.
Follow these steps to study abroad on a CCSA program:
- Attend an ETSU study abroad interest session
- Apply to the catch-all CCSA application in the Bucs Abroad portal
- After ETSU approval, apply for the program of your choice on the CCSA website
Contact: info@ccsa.cc
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KIIS Faculty-Led
KIIS, or Kentucky Institute for International Study, offers a wide variety of Summer & Winter break faculty-led group programs, including longer programs and service-learning programs, in countries around the world. KIIS offers a mix of general education and elective courses.
Follow these steps to study abroad on a KIIS program:
- Attend an ETSU study abroad interest session
- Apply to the catch-all KIIS application in the Bucs Abroad portal
- After ETSU approval, apply for the program of your choice on the KIIS website
Contact: kiis@wku.edu
Intro video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_ijkw9vFc0&t=2s
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TnCIS Faculty-Led
TnCIS, or Tennessee Consortium for International Studies, offers many Summer break faculty-led group programs in a range of countries around the world. TnCIS courses tend to be general education courses, and the cost of flights is included in the program cost.
Follow these steps to study abroad on a TnCIS program:
- Attend an ETSU study abroad interest session
- Apply to the catch-all TnCIS application in the Bucs Abroad portal
- After ETSU approval, apply for the program of your choice on the TnCIS website
Contact: tncis@pstcc.edu
Direct Enrollment Universities
Direct enrollment means you pay the institution abroad directly, including tuition, housing, fees, etc. The benefit of direct enrollment is that you have more options in terms of location, courses, and experiences (including internships, service-learning, fieldwork, etc.), and there may be more spots for students on these programs. Direct enrollment costs vary, but affiliated universities may offer a discounted fee rate for ETSU students.
Please note: Before applying to any of the programs listed here, you must first attend an interest session. More information about the application process can be found here.
The following universities partner directly with ETSU.
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito
- Location: Quito, Ecuador
- Opportunity to stay with host families
- Research stations in the Galapagos Islands and Amazon Rainforest
- Courses in Health & Liberal Arts, Media & Design, and Architecture
- The American College of Greece
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Easy to explore the city and Greek islands
- Largest American-style college in Europe
- Large campus with all the amenities, like dining facilities and athletic facilities
- Two summer sessions available
- Wide variety of courses - usually something available for most majors
- University of Limerick
- Location: Limerick, Ireland
- Has won awards for student experience
- Beautiful campus with a large international student population
- International Summer School Programme
- Modules in Irish Studies, Education & Health Sciences, Business, and Law
- Fun scheduled activities like excursions, movie nights, parties, kayaking, and more
- STEM Research Programme
- Propose your own research project and work with UL's faculty and state-of-the-art facilities
- The American University of Rome
- Location: Rome, Italy
- Located in the heart of Rome and is walking distance to landmarks like the Colosseum and the Pantheon
- Two summer sessions available
- Courses in the Arts & Humanities, no STEM courses available
- University of Waikato
- Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
- Program in Marine Science & Conservation
- Opportunity for hands-on experiences
- Earn 6-9 US credit hours during the 6-week program
- University of Agder
- Location: Kristiansand, Norway
- The place where Norwegians go for vacation
- Safe and surrounded by nature
- Summer program focuses on the European Union and is great for students studying Political Science, History, International Fairs, etc.
- This program does not offer course credit but is very affordable.
- Ewha Woman's University
- Location: Seoul, South Korea
- Open to students of all genders
- One of South Korea's most prestigious universities
- Courses focused on Korean language, culture, history, and more
- Two summer sessions
- Harlaxton College
- Location: Grantham, England, United Kingdom
- Live and study in an English manor house built in the 1800s
- Students are sorted into houses and compete for a prize
- Many courses available with a focus on the humanities and social sciences, some STEM courses available
- Two summer sessions with an internship option
Direct Enrollment Organizations
Direct enrollment means you pay the organization directly, including tuition, housing, fees, etc. The benefit of direct enrollment is that you have more options in terms of location, courses, and experiences (including internships, service-learning, fieldwork, etc.), and there may be more spots for students on these programs. Direct enrollment costs vary, but affiliated organizations offer their own scholarships.
Please note: Before applying to any of the programs listed here, you must first attend an interest session. More information about the application process can be found here.
Search through the different Direct Enrollment Organizations and their locations to see if one may be the right fit for your next adventure!
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Academic Programs International (API)
API offers hundreds of study abroad programs in locations around the world with courses in nearly every subject area! API also offers their own scholarship, in addition to scholarships just for ETSU students.
Follow these steps to study abroad on an API program:
- Attend an ETSU study abroad interest session
- Explore API programs in the Bucs Abroad portal
- Apply to the program of your choice in the Bucs Abroad portal
- After ETSU approval, apply for the program of your choice on the API website
Contact: studentoutreach@apiexperience.com
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International Studies Abroad (ISA)
ISA offers hundreds of study abroad programs in Europe, Latin America, and Africa, including service-learning, internship, and Christian study abroad programs. ISA also offers additional scholarships.
Follow these steps to study abroad on an ISA program:
- Attend an ETSU study abroad interest session
- Explore ISA programs in the Bucs Abroad portal
- Apply to the program of your choice in the Bucs Abroad portal
- After ETSU approval, apply for the program of your choice on the ISA website
Contact: isa@studiesabroad.com
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The Education Abroad Network (TEAN)
TEAN offers many study abroad programs in the Asia-Pacific region, including service-learning and internship programs. TEAN also offers additional scholarships.
Follow these steps to study abroad on a TEAN program:
- Attend an ETSU study abroad interest session
- Explore TEAN programs in the Bucs Abroad portal
- Apply to the program of your choice in the Bucs Abroad portal
- After ETSU approval, apply for the program of your choice on the TEAN website
Contact: info.tean@teanabroad.org
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The Intern Group
The Intern Group specializes in virtual and abroad customized internship programs.
Follow these steps to apply to a program through The Intern Group:
- Attend an ETSU study abroad interest session
- Contact your ETSU study abroad advisor to express your interest in completing an internship through The Intern Group
- Your ETSU study abroad advisor will provide additional instructions
Contact: info@theinterngroup.com
Semester and Academic Year Programs
ETSU Study Abroad Advisor: Kamala Frazier, frazierkc1@etsu.edu
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Bilateral Exchange Universities
The word "exchange" means that you swap places with an international student from another university. For bilateral exchange programs, you pay in-state tuition to ETSU, and housing costs to the university abroad, making it a more cost-effective option. There are some additional costs such as airfare, health insurance, meals, and transportation.
Please note that exchange spots may be limited, and you must be approved and nominated by ETSU before applying on the university abroad's website.
Bilateral Exchange Universities
- Canada
- Ecuador
- Germany
- University of Rostock
- Greece
- Japan
- South Korea
- Norway
- Republic of Ireland
- Spain
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Direct Enrollment Universities & Organizations
Direct enrollment means you pay the institution abroad directly, including tuition, housing, fees, etc.. The benefit of direct enrollment is that you have more options in terms of location, courses, and experiences (including internships, service-learning, fieldwork, etc.), and there may be more spots for students for these programs.
Direct enrollment costs vary, but affiliated universities may offer a discounted fee rate for ETSU students and provider organizations may offer additional scholarships.
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Universities
These programs are highly reputable and endorsed by ETSU. Many provide ETSU students with a discount.
Affiliated Schools:- Australia
- Italy
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Scotland
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Organizations
Search through the different Direct Enrollment organizations and their locations to see if one may be the right fit for your next adventure!
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API
API offers hundreds of study abroad programs (including service-learning and internship programs) for any term and major, in a wide range of countries. API also offers many scholarships as well as additional scholarships just for ETSU students.
Follow these steps to study abroad through an API program:
1. First, apply to the program you choose in the Bucs Abroad Portal.
2. After approval, apply on the organization website:
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ISA World Strides
ISA World Strides offers hundreds of study abroad programs in Europe, Latin America, and Africa, including service-learning and internship programs. ISA also offers additional scholarships.
Follow these steps to study abroad through an ISA program:
1. First, apply to the program you choose in the Bucs Abroad Portal.
2. After approval, apply on the organization website:
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TEAN
TEAN offers many study abroad programs in the Asia-Pacific region, including service-learning and internship programs. TEAN also offers additional scholarships.
Follow these steps to study abroad through a TEAN program:
1. First, apply to the program you choose in the Bucs Abroad Portal.
2. After approval, apply on the organization website:
- TEAN Website
- Contact: info.tean@teanabroad.org
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KIIS
KIIS offers one Spring semester program in Spain.
Follow these steps to study abroad through a KIIS program:
1. First, apply to the KIIS program in the Bucs Abroad Portal.
2. After approval, apply on the organization website:
- KIIS Semester courses website: https://www.kiis.org/semester-courses/
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The Intern Group
The Intern Group specializes in virtual and abroad customized internship programs.
Follow these steps to intern abroad through The Intern Group:
1. First, apply to the program you choose in the Bucs Abroad Portal.
2. After approval, apply on the organization website:
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PLEASE NOTE: ETSU may reject or withdraw applications under certain circumstances. Please click HERE for more information.