Approach to Study Abroad

There are many ways to approach study abroad and many different styles of study abroad programs.

Our approach is built around focused themes that integrate academics and co-curricular activities and having a support platform that allows students to maximize their time learning about and experiencing the countries that they live in.

"Thematic" Programs

Most of our study abroad programs are structured around an academic theme that falls within our areas of speciality.

We pride ourselves on taking topics that are either highly relevant and timely (the Globalization of Business, the European Union) or that focus on an underserved area in study abroad (Byzantine Art, Health Sciences, Medical Spanish).

We think this interest in overall program design leads to richer, more interesting programs.

Co-curricular Travel and Experiences

All of our programs incorporate a large amount of in-country travel (6-8 days) and host city cultural experiences. We think it is imperative that our students see and experience all aspects of their host country. 

In one semester in Cyprus, for example, our students will visit mountain monasteries and beach resorts, embassies and cheese factories, ancient Roman ruins and church festivals; student dances and foreign embassies.

What we are best known for, however, are our thematic multi-country programs, such as the Semester in Europe, the Semester in the Mediterranean and the Global Business Semester. 

Many topics cross national boundaries and so do we - to as many as 12 countries in one semester. Nothing taught in the classroom about the European Union can replace visiting the Council of Europe and nothing taught about outsourcing can replace visiting a software firm in Bangalore. 

Direct experience (in a structured co-curricular manner) is a core principle for us and we are confident that most of our students see, do and learn more in a semester abroad with us.

Operational Best Practices

Our management team has been at the forefront of operational best practices for years, both in the study abroad field, higher education in general and risk and operational management.

We are members of NAFSA and the Forum for Education Abroad and in both organizations have focused our efforts on best practices, serving on the Standards Committee of the Forum and as Lead Trainers in the NAFSA Academy.

We bring this approach to all our programs and implement good practices relating to

• Enrollment advising
  
• Risk management
  
• Health and safety
  
• Student preparedness
  
• Learning objectives and intercultural competencies
  
• Support for diversity
  
• Ability to execute highly complex co-curricular travel experiences
  
• General quality of the student experience (housing, travel, organization)
  
• Overall professionalism