us college tours for international students

U.S. Tours for International Students

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Adventure Student Travel is dedicated to bringing all the best travel experiences to students not only across the country, but also across the world.

We believe that cultural education, or education through travel, is just as important to our younger generations as traditional education, allowing them the opportunity to experience real-world situations, cultural exchanges, and other countless life lessons only picked up through travel and cultural immersion. This is why we offer a "U.S. Tour for International Students" option!

These tours are perfect for international students visiting the states for a couple of months of college, a year of high school, or any other educationally/culturally adventurous time in the States. These trips offer opportunities to experience the best of what our country has to offer, both educationally and culturally.

We have put together what we believe to be an excellent sampling of our nation's finest travel experiences, from surfing the clear Californian coast to climbing the snowy Colorado Rockies, all the way over to being a part of the hustle and bustle of the iconic Big Apple! Of course, you can always customize your own group adventure as well, just give us a call at 877.397.5700 to get started today.

See the cities, meet the people, eat the food, and experience what our culture is all about!

Are you looking for an affordable, customized group trip?

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Sample Itineraries

5-Day Chicago Adventure

•  Highlights

6-Day DC, Philly, and NYC Tour

7-Day DC and NYC Journey

7-Day Orlando Adventure Tour

8-Day California Coast Excursion

Customized Tour

Attractions.

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A personal college advisor can provide the individualized attention any student needs to properly tackle the graduate or undergraduate college admission process. Whether your student is the first person in the family to go to college or comes from a long line of Ivy League graduates, the dedicated advisors at International College Counselors can give your student the tools to find and get into the college of their dreams.

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Competition for acceptance to colleges and universities is at an all-time high. It helps to have someone assist you with the time, expertise and commitment to ensure that you get where you want to go!

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Each International College Counselors service begins with a comprehensive discussion with the parent(s) and child, followed by a review of applicable academic information and completion of the Student/Family profile.

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With the Comprehensive Graduate Plan, students have a personal advisor from International College Counselors taking them through the entire admission process. Expert Advisors help students applying to Business School, Medical School, Law School, Graduate, Masters and PhD Programs, Dental School and other graduate programs.

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International College Counselors is the leader in helping international students get into U.S. universities. With International College Counselors help, hundreds of students from over 30 countries have successfully gained admission into the top U.S. colleges and universities.

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• Our History

TS College Tours was founded in 2009.  After years of working with international students, it became clear that there was not a college tour program specifically designed for international school students, with tour leaders who understood their unique backgrounds and experiences. Since the first program of 28 students, TS College Tours has served over 1000 students of more than 40 nationalities. Students and parents rave about how beneficial our programs are, both in terms of discovering types of colleges which are the “best fit” and with regard to how their knowledge of the application process increased.

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Each tour is intense and students should come prepared with plenty of energy for exciting, enjoyable, and educational days!

Meet Our Team

Our team consists of highly experienced college counselors from international high schools and former university admissions officers. We carefully select our staff based on his or her knowledge of the college admissions process, their understanding of and ability to ‘connect’ with students with international backgrounds. All are members of the National Association of College Admission Counseling and have collectively visited more than 600 college campuses in the US, Canada and the UK.

Our counselors maintain close, strong working relationships with admissions representatives at many of the leading universities in the world. Tour Directors are responsible for leading each tour while Tour Advisors (along with the Director) help students learn about the college admissions process throughout each program and assist in leading.

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College Info

Each year, nearly one million international students enroll in US undergraduate and graduate programs. There are so many colleges and universities in the US, though, that it can be tough to know where to start, especially if you're applying from out of the country.

In this post, I'll lay out some of the best universities for international students. Whether you're looking for generous financial aid, large international populations, or special international programs , we've got you covered.

Finally, I'll lay out the five most important steps you need to take if you want to go to school in the US, straight from the State Department.

Let's get started!

What Makes a School Good for International Students?

Applying to college is stressful for students all over the world. If you're looking to attend an international school, particularly one that's located in the US, there are a few additional, unique obstacles to worry about:

• Funding your education. US schools are notoriously expensive, and international students aren't eligible for many forms of American financial aid.
• Finding an environment of your peers. Although some students may not be concerned with finding a group of international peers at a US school, many may feel more comfortable with a student body composed of a healthy mix of domestic and international students. You may also find more resources, student groups, and activities geared towards students from outside the US at these schools.
• Achieving comfort and success in a very new environment. As an international student, you may be looking for specialized social, academic, professional, and language support. Moving to a new country is stressful—it's a good idea to think about what support systems would help you transition.

Although international students may have other concerns when applying to US schools, I think the above points are the most universal.

The rest of this post will list the types of schools that address these problems, i.e. the best colleges for international students. I'll list the schools that give generous financial aid to foreign nationals, boast large percentages of international students, and offer special support to non-US citizens . Your own priorities will dictate which type of school might serve you best.

Let's get to the good stuff—which schools should you actually start checking out?

Cheapest Colleges for International Students

International students aren't eligible for federal financial aid , a big source of funding for students here in the US. Unless a school's total Cost of Attendance isn't an issue for you, you may want to consider institutions that allocate large amounts of their own financial aid money to international students. A school's generosity may help cover the deficit left by a lack of access to federal aid.

A little background information before we get started: attending college in the US is expensive . In fact, the US is one of the most expensive places in the world to get a college education. And just because a school offers financial aid doesn't mean you won't end up paying quite a bit in the long run—it's common for students in the US to be saddled with significant student loan debt . If cost is a concern for you, the following list of cheapest colleges for international students should be a great place to start your school search . They all awarded financial aid to at least 50 students from abroad for the 2020-2021 school year.

A final disclaimer: the schools below are all pretty high-ranked institutions . Schools like this tend to have larger endowments and more money to give to students via financial aid. You'd have to be a very competitive applicant to gain admission to many of these schools (perhaps even more competitive than a similar domestic applicant). Click the name of the school to get more information about admissions statistics.

Source: US News & World Report (2020/2021 school year)

Columbia University , New York, NY

• Number of international students who received aid: 287
• Average aid amount awarded: $70,807

Skidmore College , Saratoga Springs, NY

• Number of international students who received aid: 90

Wellesley University , Wellesley, MA

• Number of international students who received aid: 84
• Average aid amount awarded: $69,660

Haverford College , Haverford, PA

• Number of international students who received aid: 48
• Average aid amount awarded: $71,496

Yale University , New Haven, CT

• Number of international students who received aid: 264
• Average aid amount awarded: $67,048

Duke University , Durham, NC

• Number of international students who received aid: 176
• Average aid amount awarded: $64,724

Stanford University , Stanford, CA

• Number of international students who received aid: 225
• Average aid amount awarded: $66,000

Wesleyan University , Middletown, CT

• Average aid amount awarded: $69,698

Washington and Lee University , Lexington, VA

• Number of international students who received aid: 74
• Average aid amount awarded: $66,671

Cornell University , Ithaca, NY

• Number of international students who received aid: 199
• Average aid amount awarded: $65,286

Colleges With the Largest International Student Presence

If you're applying to schools in the US, financial aid is likely not your only concern. You might also be wondering which colleges and universities have large international populations.

Large numbers of international students at a particular school indicate a more diverse student body. If this criterion is important to you, you'll definitely want to check out the following list of schools. Keep in mind that this list is based on the percentage of international students, and not necessarily raw numbers of international students — many large, metropolitan schools attract a significant number of students from outside the US.

You might notice that there's no overlap between the following schools and schools that provide the most financial aid to international students. If you're interested primarily in schools with a large international student presence, keep in mind they may be significantly more expensive than the institutions listed above.

The following institutions—all national universities—reported the largest percentages of international students for 2020-2021.

Source: US News & World Report

New School , New York, NY

• Percentage of international students: 30%
• Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,430

University of Rochester , Rochester, NY

• Percentage of international students: 27%
• Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,521

Florida Institute of Technology , Melbourne, FL

• Percentage of international students: 22%
• Total undergraduate enrollment: 3,475

Boston University , Boston, MA

• Percentage of international students: 21%
• Total undergraduate enrollment: 16,872

Cardinal Stritch University , Milwaukee, WI

• Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,8421

Carnegie Mellon University , Pittsburgh, PA

• Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,073

Brandeis University , Waltham, MA

• Percentage of international students: 20%
• Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,945

University of California—San Diego , La Jolla, CA

• Percentage of international students: 17%
• Total undergraduate enrollment: 31,842

Northwestern University , Evanston, IL

• Percentage of international students: 16%
• Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,194

Rensselaer Polytechnic University , Troy, NY

• Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,283

University of California–Davis , Davis, CA

• Total undergraduate enrollment: 31,162

Colleges With Special Services for International Students

Some of the best colleges for international students offer specialized programs that make studying in the US a bit easier for foreign nationals . The following list is by no means exhaustive, but it'll give you a place to start if you're looking for schools that offer unique, helpful services to international students.

Some of these schools have dedicated centers for international students. They provide assistance in a variety of areas, including ESL instruction and student visa guidance. Other schools foster an easier transition for international students with mentorship programs or regular faculty check-ins. You may even find specialty scholarship programs meant for students coming from other countries .

Many other schools offer resources to students both domestic and international, but the following programs are particularly notable for students coming from abroad. If you think you may need one special program in particular—ESL assistance, for example—I'd encourage you to contact the admissions office at any school of interest for more information.

University of Arizona , Tucson, AZ

U of A hosts the Center for English as a Second Language , which helps students adjust to using English in professional and academic spaces. For more general assistance, students can go to the school's dedicated International Services Center .

Finally, U of A offers an international student scholarship program. Students can receive between $5,500 and $22,000 per year.

Purdue University , West Lafayette, IN

Roughly 8,000 international students attend Purdue each year; about 4,000 of those are undergraduate, and about 4,000 are graduate students. The school publishes a quarterly newsletter for international students. Additionally, Purdue fosters an International Friendship Program where domestic students serve as mentors to ease any difficulty in transitioning to a US school.

Clemson University , Clemson, SC

About 1,500 international students enroll at Clemson each year. The school requires regular meetings between international students and staff to make sure students are happy and successful. Clemson also offers group workshops that help international students gather information about maintaining status, employment possibilities, travel and visas, and cultural adjustment.

University of Wisconsin—Madison , Madison, WI

About 4,000 students from more than 120 different countries attend the University of Wisconsin. The school hosts a couple of notable programs.

First, the BRIDGE (Building Relationships in Diverse Global Environments) program connects international students with US students during their first year in the US.

Second, the Assembly of International Students connects the many international groups on campus to promote cultural awareness and understanding within the student body.

Temple University , Philadelphia, PA

Temple offers some alternative options to students who may not be ready for a fully English-immersive experience in the US. Their Intensive English Language Program is an educational program that preps students to enroll at a US school or to get a job that requires English proficiency. It is NOT a BA program, but a pre-program of sorts to prepare students for further study.

Temple also offers " provisional/conditional admission " to competitive applicants who score below admissions threshold on the TOEFL.

What Do You Have to Do to Attend a US School?

As an international student, you'll have to take a few extra steps if you plan on studying in the US. You'll want to do your own research on any further steps or restrictions for students coming from your particular country, but I'll give you a basic rundown here, so you know where to start, and you can check out our complete guide to the process for more details.

According to the US State Department , here are the five steps you need to take to study in the US:

Step 1: Research Your Options

If you're reading this page, you've already begun this step! You'll want to start this process 12-18 months before the start of the academic year you hope to start studying in the US. It's especially important to gather information about application criteria and deadlines.

If you need some extra help getting started, you should check out our guide on how to research colleges .

Step 2: Finance Your Studies

Again, you've already started gathering info on financing your studies if you've checked out the schools at the top of the page. Like I mentioned, schools can be pretty expensive in the US , so you'll want to have a plan in place for funding your education .

Read more about the different types of financial aid and the schools with the most generous aid policies .

Step 3: Complete Your College Applications

Each college app is unique, although there's generally a lot of overlap. It's important to start these applications well before the deadlines (which are often December-January). You might want to read more about the typical college application timeline .

As an international applicant, you'll want to be especially careful about arranging for the SAT, ACT , and/or TOEFL . You may not have to submit your TOEFL scores to some colleges if you meet a certain score threshold on SAT/ACT sections.

Read more about SAT and ACT prep for ESL and bilingual students to help plan for these important parts of US college applications and find out your best international SAT and ACT test dates .

Step 4: Apply for Your Student Visa

It's important to allocate plenty of time to complete and submit your visa application, in case any complications come up. Visit the State Department's website for more information on applying for your visa.

Step 5: Prepare for Your Departure

This is where you square everything away and make sure all your travel arrangements and documents are ready to go and in compliance. Your new school may also have information available for things like student health insurance, climate, local transportation options, and housing.

What's Next?

Motivated to start working on your college applications? Great! But before you do, you should definitely figure out which standardized test— the SAT or the ACT —is better for you (did you know that it doesn't usually help to take both)?

You might need to do ACT/SAT prep a little differently than the typical US student. For an introduction, read our complete guide to the ACT & SAT for international students . Then, check out our list of current international SAT and ACT test dates to see which date is right for you.

Not sure what steps you need to take to apply to college in the US as non-US citizen? We have blog articles to help you with everything from what different materials you need for your application to how to get financial aid if you have a green card .

Francesca graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and scored in the 99th percentile on the SATs. She's worked with many students on SAT prep and college counseling, and loves helping students capitalize on their strengths.

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While on our campus, take a journey through Berkeley history as you cross Sproul Plaza. Relax in the shade along Strawberry Creek. Get a big picture view of the Bay Area from the Campanile. Feel the world-changing energy of over 35,000 students from around the world.

We offer a variety of tours to help you explore the Berkeley campus, from family tours to large groups to self-guided options. We offer Spanish and Mandarin language tours on request with 14 days notice. Choose a link to the left for more information.

If you would like to attend an admissions presentation in addition to a campus tour, please note that separate reservations are required. Visit the  admissions office reservation system  to book an admissions presentation.

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College Study Abroad

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Featured study abroad programs .

At CIEE, we offer a variety of college study abroad programs covering semester, summer, and January terms. In addition to studying internationally, we provide internships abroad where students gain professional skills and experience in real-world work environments. Learn more about our comprehensive college study abroad programs and international internships below.

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Summer study abroad programs are open! Start planning your next adventure today. 

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Kick off the school year by studying or interning abroad during the Fall semester.

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CIEE provides study abroad programs in some of the world's top locations, from Spain and Italy to South Korea and Australia . With 150+ programs in over 30 countries, your dream study abroad destination is just a few clicks away!

Trending Study Abroad Destinations

Study abroad in Spain with CIEE on one of our top study programs in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Alcalá de Henares, or Palma de Mallorca.

South Korea

Study abroad in South Korea with CIEE in Seoul and put your Korean lanuage skills to the test, all while learning more about Korean culture.

Study abroad in Italy with CIEE in Rome, Florence, or Milan where you can explore Italian culture, language, fashion, cuisine, and more.

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High-Quality Study Abroad Programs

For more than 75 years, CIEE has set the standard for study abroad programs.

Academics:  Our rigorous academic programs extend outside the classroom walls, offering you the experience and skills you need to succeed in your college career and beyond.

Cultural Immersion:  We offer you the life-changing opportunity to travel abroad and live like a local, rounding out your experience with exciting cultural excursions and activities.

Student Support:  Our resident directors and staff, highly trained support teams, and health & safety specialists are with you at every step of your journey.

$8+ Million in Scholarships and Grants

CIEE is committed to helping every student – regardless of socioeconomic background or academic major – access a transformative study abroad experience. If you’re looking to travel abroad, but are worried about covering the costs, CIEE offers a variety of study abroad scholarships & grants for students with demonstrated financial need and proven academic merit.

CIEE maintains many partnerships  to help students grow academically, professionally, and personally through study abroad. 

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Flexibility To Design Your Own Program

With  CIEE's Open Campus Block Program , you can design your very own study abroad program to include up to three different locations. Feel free to build your own program using our custom study abroad tool, spin the globe , or take a look at experiences around some of our most popular open campus combinations!

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Health & Safety

Living abroad means a new environment and lifestyle - two things that can affect your  health and safety . With planning and awareness, living abroad can be a very healthy, safe, and rewarding experience for you.

CIEE has partnered with experts in producing resources that address health concerns for students who are thinking about studying abroad. As a founding member of the Interassociational Advisory Committee on Safety and Responsibility in Study Abroad, we are committed to the operation of safe and secure study experiences.

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By Tayler Baldwin Studying abroad is an enriching experience that often comes with a whirlwind of excitement, cultural immersion, and, of course, new expenses. As a student abroad in London... keep reading

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@cieestudyabroad These are the pros and cons of studying abroad! #cieestudyabroad #studyabroad #studyabroadadvice #studyabroadprograms #wheretostudyabroad #howtostudyabroad #college Sunshine - WIRA Studying abroad is a big decision. On one hand, studying... keep reading

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When deciding to study abroad in New Zealand, language learning may not be the first thing to come to mind, but during your time abroad you’re sure to come across... keep reading

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Questions About College Study Abroad

Put simply, study abroad is when a student pursues their academic goals in a foreign country. By studying abroad, students learn more about different cultures, languages, people, and more, transforming their global perspective and cultural understanding. 

Read more: What is Study Abroad? Everything You Need to Know!

Studying abroad can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be, but in general, the cost to study abroad can range anywhere from $3,650 for January programs to $19,968 or more for semester programs . The cost of studying abroad varies depending on several factors, including:

• Program type
• Length of study

While the cost of study abroad programs for college students is constantly changing, CIEE program fees typically include all essentials outside of airfare and meals. This typically includes tuition, housing, pre-departure advising, orientation, on-side staff and 24/7 emergency support, cultural activities, and travel protection. Read more: Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants

While the length of your study abroad program varies based on your study abroad program provider, CIEE offers four different study abroad program durations:

• Semester Programs:  Fall or spring semester study abroad programs typically last 15-17 weeks.
• Summer Programs :  A single summer session lasts four weeks, but students can choose to enroll in one, two, or three consecutive sessions for a full summer abroad.
• January Programs :  January study abroad programs are typically between two and three weeks long.
• Open Campus Block Programs :  Open Campus Block programs allow students to design their own custom study abroad programs that last for six, 12, or up to 18 consecutive weeks.

Yes! Students who study with CIEE can earn college credit abroad for specific courses they take. We recommend that students check with their campus study abroad office prior to leaving for their program to ensure that course credits can be counted. 

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Yes, CIEE study abroad is a legit study abroad organization that was founded in 1947 with the mission of promoting international education and exchange. Headquartered in Portland, Maine, CIEE aims to humanize international relations and foster peace through international educational programs that promote intercultural understanding.

Check out our full list of study abroad programs!

If you’re wondering how to study abroad in college , follow these simple steps:

• Search our study abroad programs and find one that you love!
• Ensure program dates, expenses, financial aid, courses, etc. fit into your goals
• Connect with your campus study abroad office
• Start your application

Read more: How Does Studying Abroad Work?

There are countless benefits of studying abroad in college, from getting out of your comfort zone by connecting with new cultures and languages, to making new friends and gaining a new perspective on the world. Not to mention if you complete an internship abroad , you’ll boost your resume with real-world international work experience. Read more: Benefits of Study Abroad

CIEE Study Abroad Reviews

"I absolutely loved the program - classes were structured well and the professors are amazing. CIEE is very supportive and also efficient with housing."

Ella S. | Spring 2022 | Seville, Spain

"CIEE Study Abroad is an incredible program providing the students to experience different culture and appreciate the opportunities to widely open their eyes."

Linda L. | Spring 2022 | Dublin, Ireland

"The classes were super personalized and my professors recommended so many things in Prague as well as took us on a variety of field trips that made Prague feel more like home."

Brynn C. | Spring 2022 | Prague, Czech Republic

"They genuinely care about every student and did everything they could to ensure the students enjoyed their time abroad."

Noel S. | Summer 2022 | Copenhagen, Denmark

"It was an amazing experience. I felt truly immersed in the culture and environment of my host country. I also made friendshops that will last a lifetime."

Emma S. | Summer 2022 | Monteverde, Costa Rica

CIEE School of Record: Tulane University

Tulane University serves as CIEE's School of Record for all CIEE Study College Abroad programs. Tulane University is one of the nation’s premier research universities with highly respected academic programs in many of the fastest-growing academic areas of interest for international study, including architecture, engineering, technology, public health, business, liberal arts, and world languages.

The university is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as by leading academic organizations in the areas of engineering, architecture, public health, and business.

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bring your college-bound students to a college campus to increase awareness and enhance your existing program. Campus visits effectively provide an educational experience and information that will help students make one of the most important decisions of their lives.

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Combine a Middle School trip with a college campus tour. Our hope is to inform and excite younger students about going to college. We are confident that this introduction to a college campus will motivate them to experience life beyond the classroom and pursue a college education!

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We work with high school Guidance Counselors and College Admissions offices throughout the U.S. to enable high school students to learn first-hand what they need to do to prepare themselves to succeed in their post-secondary education.

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Top 15 Best Places to Study Abroad for U.S. Students

Europe hosted 73% of U.S. students studying abroad, with Italy, the U.K., Spain and France the most popular destinations.

(Getty Images) |

Where U.S. students study abroad

Especially throughout 2020, travel around the world was significantly restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic. That in turn meant study abroad programs were limited or paused. But the number of U.S. students studying abroad in college has since started to rebound. According to the 2023 Open Doors data from the Institute of International Education, 188,753 American students pursued opportunities abroad for academic credit in 2021-22, compared to just 14,549 students in the prior academic year. Europe hosted 73% of those students, the highest proportion in more than 30 years. Here's a look at the top 15 study abroad destinations for American students.

• Netherlands

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 2,227

Known for its tulip fields, windmills and canals, the Netherlands broke into the top 25 most popular destinations for U.S. study abroad students in 2021-22, per IIE data. Just above Austria – which had 2,037 students – the Netherlands hosted 2,227 students. Several colleges are located in or near its capital city, Amsterdam, including the University of Amsterdam and Utrecht University.

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 2,283

For students interested in exploring the outdoors, Ecuador has plenty to offer, including the Amazon rainforest and the Galápagos Islands. Ecuador hosted 1% of all U.S. study abroad students in 2020-21, equivalent to 145 students, IIE data found. But that number increased to 1.2% for the 2021-22 academic year, or 2,283 students. Ecuador is one of three countries in Latin America that made the top 15 most popular study abroad destinations for Americans.

• Czech Republic

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 2,425

A landlocked country in Europe – bordering Austria, Germany, Slovakia and Poland – the Czech Republic , or Czechia, hosted 1.3% of all U.S. study abroad participants for the 2021-22 academic year, according to IIE data. There was rising interest in the country known for its fairy-tale castles and chateaux. Between 2020-21 and 2021-22, the number of U.S. students studying in the Czech Republic catapulted from 79 to 2,425.

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 2,714

Among the top 15 destinations where U.S. students studied abroad, Israel was the only country in the Middle East. Known for its holy sites, Israel hosted 2,714 U.S. students in the 2021-22 academic year, compared to 539 the prior year, per IIE data. Some colleges and universities in Israel include the Weizmann Institute of Science , Tel Aviv University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem .

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 2,832

Known for its ancient ruins – like Chichén Itzá – cenotes and beautiful beaches, Mexico hosted 2,832 students for 2021-22, or 1.5% of all U.S. study abroad students, according to IIE data. Comparably, in 2020-21, 248 students participated in an exchange program in Mexico, for a total of 1.7% of the U.S. study abroad population. Mexico City, its capital, is home to schools such as Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and Instituto Politecnico Nacional – Mexico .

• South Korea

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 4,304

Tied with Denmark, South Korea hosted 2.3% of all U.S. study abroad students in 2021-22, per IIE data. Between 2020-21 and 2021-22, the number rose from 977 to 4,304. South Korea – known for its bustling cities and music – was the only country in Asia that made the top 25 places where U.S. students participated in study abroad programs. Seoul National University has multiple campuses, including a medical campus.

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 4,393

Most noted for its biking culture, colorful houses and the oldest monarchy in Europe, Denmark remains a popular destination for U.S. study abroad students. The only Nordic country on the top 15 list hosted 4,393 students in the 2021-22 academic year, according to IIE data. The University of Copenhagen in Denmark is the second-oldest university in Scandinavia, dating back to 1479, and boasts 5,000 researchers.

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 4,484

Given that it was the site of the first Olympics and home to ancient ruins – such as the Acropolis, Olympia, Corinth and Knossos palace – Greece may be an ideal location for history buffs. It remains a popular destination for Americans, with nearly 4,500 students studying abroad there in 2021-22, per IIE data. That's equivalent to 2.4% of all U.S. study abroad students.

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 4,751

Costa Rica welcomes tourists with adventurous spirits. But it isn't just for visitors; it's also a top 15 study abroad destination for Americans. Costa Rica – which has an unofficial slogan of "pura vida" or "pure life" – hosted 2.5% of all U.S. study abroad students in 2021-22, or 4,751 students, according to IIE data. In the prior academic year, 565 students, or 3.9% of the total number of U.S. students abroad, chose it as their destination.

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 7,031

Ireland – also known as the Emerald Isle due to its lush green hills – hosted 3.7% of all U.S. study abroad students in 2021-22, slightly below Germany, according to IIE data. Rated as the 14th most popular destination for U.S. students in 2020-21, Ireland moved up to the No. 6 spot, welcoming more than 7,000 students in 2021-22. Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork are among the colleges there.

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 7,644

There's been growing interest in Germany as a destination for American students. In 2021-22, Germany hosted 4% of all U.S. study abroad students, compared to 2.8% the prior school year. There are many colleges to choose from in Germany. Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg , for example, was founded in 1386 and is considered the oldest university in the country.

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 14,397

With Paris known as the "city of love" or the "city of lights," France is no stranger to American students, especially those interested in fashion, art or food. From 2020-21 to 2021-22, the number of U.S. students who studied in France rose from 1,025 to 14,397, a 1,305% increase, according to the IIE. Popular study abroad destinations in France are Sorbonne Universite and Universite de Bordeaux .

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 25,348

As the third-most popular destination, Spain hosted 13.4% of U.S. study abroad participants in 2021-22, a slight decrease from the prior academic year, per IIE data. Between 2020-21 and 2021-2022, the number of students who studied in Spain increased by more than 1,100%, from 2,089 to 25,348. The University of Barcelona and Polytechnic University of Catalonia are among the many colleges in Spain.

• United Kingdom

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 27,503

Another top destination for Americans is the United Kingdom, which hosted more than 27,000 students in 2021-22, up from 1,612 from the prior academic year, per IIE data. The U.K. has many historic higher education institutions to choose from, including the University of Oxford , which dates back to at least 1096 and is considered the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Number of U.S. students in 2021-2022: 30,610

For the second year in a row, the top study abroad destination for Americans was Italy , which said "benvenuti" to more than 30,000 U.S. students in the 2021-22 school year, IIE data found. Italy hosted 16.2% of American study abroad participants, a 1.1% increase from the prior academic year. It's also home to the oldest university in the world in continuous operation – the University of Bologna was founded in 1088.

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University of South Florida

School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies

College of Arts and Sciences

Main Navigation

Undergraduate programs, international studies.

The International Studies major focuses on world affairs with a special emphasis on philosophy, economics, and culture. Courses in this major focus on both general topics (such as conflict, globalization, terrorism, human rights) and area or country studies (the Middle East, Russia, China, Japan, Latin America). Unlike most other degree programs, the International Studies major allows students the flexibility to earn credit towards their major by taking some selected courses from other departments to provide a broader international perspective. Graduates from this major are well poised for a wide range of careers in both the public and private sector. Recent graduates have pursued careers in government, business, or non-government organizations that have an international or global focus.

admissions AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies at the University of South Florida offers a Bachelor's in International Studies. For a listing of the admission and degree requirements needed to obtain the Bachelor's in International Studies, students should consult the Undergraduate Catalog . Students should adhere to the requirements within the undergraduate catalog under which they were admitted

• Degree Requirements Beginning 2023-2024 Catalog

minor in international studies

For a listing of the requirements needed to obtain a minor in Afircana Studies, students should consult the Undergraduate Catalog. Students should adhere to the requirements within the undergraduate catalog under which they were admitted.

• Minor Requirements

Additional information on this minor INR 1015 World Perspective, INR 2002 Intro to International Relations, CPO 2002 Intro to Comparative Politics, and INR 4943 INTERNSHIP hours DO NOT COUNT for the INT Minor.

In order to receive International Studies minor recognition, the student will need to list the minor upon completion on the graduation application.

forms & additional information

Office of Admissions SIGS Undergraduate Resources  Undergraduate Studies International Studies Directed Reading Contract SIGS Undergraduate Incomplete Grade Contract

Academic Advisors

Denmark pays students to go to college. But free education does have a price.

Borrowers in the US and the UK rack up the highest debt in the world. In Denmark, tuition is free and students are given grants to pay for things like food and housing. Hardly anyone takes out loans, but free education comes with a price.

• By Joshua Coe

Students walk through the University Park in Aarhus, Denmark, on June 20, 2023. Public universities in Denmark like the one in Aarhus are free for Danes, permanent residents in the country and students from the EU.

Hannah Hirschsprung Lange, who is finishing her fourth and final semester studying bioengineering at Aarhus University in Jutland, Denmark, receives about $800 each month in financial support from the Danish government.

“It means I don’t have to work too much besides school,” Hirschsprung Lange said. “It helps with paying the rent and food, and then, you don’t have to think too much about it.”

And like most Danes, she will graduate owing nothing. That’s because in Denmark — as in at least a dozen European countries — tuition at public universities and most colleges is free, and students are paid to go to school as if it’s a job.

The Danish grant system, known as the Statens Uddannelsesstøtte, or SU for short , is available for students for up to six years. The amount of money a student receives depends on how much they earn working on the side. In the case of illness or pregnancy, students can apply for extra financial help.

With student debt repayments back on the horizon for college graduates in the US , Hirschsrpung Lange said that the American higher education system seems broken because of “the fact that you have to go into so much student debt.”

Still, many Danish students like Hirschsprung Lange work part time to earn extra spending money for things like vacations and clothes. And some students do take out government loans, but they aren’t always used for school.

For Astrid Skifter Madsen, a first-year chemical engineering master’s student at Aarhus University, a loan enabled her to go to Asia recently.

“I needed a long summer holiday to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia,” she explained. “So, I needed some money to cover that.”

Madsen said that she’s not worried about being able to finish her studies and paying back the loan.

The Danish government subsidizes student loans with a low interest rate, and she’ll have up to 15 years to pay it off.

Many Danes say that the generous subsidies and the free tuition is money well-spent.

“I mean, in the end, in a sense, you pay it back later,” said physics student Tobias Washeim, 22, who’s finished his third year of his bachelor’s degree at Aarhus University. “And I think it takes the stress off being a student.”

Danes do end up paying for the free education and the SU system through the country’s steep taxes that can carve out over 50% of one’s income. (It’s a progressive tax system , so the more you earn, the more you pay.) But polling in the country has shown satisfaction with the high taxes, which not only contribute to free education, but also free health care and pensions.

“You might pay less taxes and you get a higher income in the US, but I don’t really mind paying [those] high taxes,” Washeim added.

The SU system came about 50 years ago  at a time when the country of just 6 million decided to prioritize a well-educated population, explained Philipp Schröder, who teaches economics and business at Aarhus University.

“It’s a small open economy [that] has virtually no raw materials here apart from brains,” Schröder said. “And so, that is a political agenda that has always been baked-in for changing governments [in Denmark]. So, education is for free.”

The idea was, in part, to make higher education an option for anyone in Denmark, regardless of their socioeconomic status, explained Fane Groes, an associate professor at Copenhagen Business School.

Before that, the SU system saw many students stuck with heavy loan burdens and high interest rates. But despite the goal of leveling the playing field for all Danes, Groes said, it hasn’t exactly worked out that way: “We know that it is the more-educated children and the richer children who actually go to college or university.”

A 2021 study showed that for Danes born in 1987, the social heritage of education attainment is at the same level as in the US . And while the SU costs Denmark a little more than 1% of the gross national product , there are grumblings inside and outside of the government about the system. For one, because Denmark is part of the European Union, it has to offer SU grants to students from other EU countries.

Politicians have argued that this mandate has seen little returns, with a minority of internationals staying in Denmark after graduating . And, they say that too many students take too long to get through school and don’t go into fields that the country needs.

“If you allocate resources and talent mass sensibly in an economy, you don’t want that to happen — that people train for something that no one in the job market wants,” said Schröder, who sat on a government commission tasked with suggesting higher education reforms. “Then, they have to settle for lower-skilled jobs where they can’t use the investments they have taken.”

Earlier this summer, the government made some of the biggest reforms to higher education, controversially shortening or restructuring the length of a third of the country’s 500 master’s programs from two-year degrees to one year and three months .

The government said it will reallocate the funds to training for nursing, teaching and social work — fields that have recently experienced staff shortages in Denmark . But there was no government proposal to get rid of free tuition for undergraduates. Nor did they touch payments that go to students.

The move is expected to mainly impact master’s degrees in the humanities and social sciences .

Sigrid Strunge Vetter, who recently completed a psychology degree at Aarhus, said she couldn’t imagine jamming two years of study into one year and three months.

“I have a two-year master’s degree, and I still feel like I’m having massive gaps and there’s lots of knowledge I haven’t gathered,” she said. “So, how they want to be able to cut that down to half, I simply can’t fathom.”

Overall, Strunge Vetter said that she is not against reforms, though. She said it’s good for the state to regulate higher education to correspond with market needs to keep unemployment rates down.

But she doesn’t want the government to chip away at the right of every Dane to get a higher education.

“It ensures that everybody, independently of their financial and socio-economic background can attend whatever studies they want to attend,” which she hopes will be the case for generations of Danes to come.

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Tyler Junior College hosts annual International Day

T here are 50 plus countries that Tyler Junior College's students comes from, and that’s what the annual international day at TJC is dedicated to showcasing.

"The point is just to celebrate the diversity of our campus with all the different countries that our students represent," Lauren Tyler, Director of Student Life said.

The event, in its 32nd year, had music, art, food, and more! It was an event for everyone to enjoy, but students at TJC want to spotlight the true meaning of the event.

"It’s very important for education to know the cultural background," Jene van Heerden, TJC student said.

"TJC has a lot of international students, we’re just trying to make everyone feel included and have the opportunity to learn about different backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities," student Kyeleigh Kincade said.

After visiting, if you’re itching to travel, the post office made it easy to get your passport ready. 

"It’s challenging sometimes to make time or make an appointment to go to the passport office, so we are very lucky to have them come here and make it more accessible to those who need to update their passports or get a new one," Tyler said.

Even if you missed the opportunity today, use this story as a reminder that if you're preparing for summer travel, it could take a couple weeks to a few months to have it ready.

"It does take a few weeks to get your passport updated and so beyond making an appointment and getting all the right paperwork it is a little bit of a more rigorous process to get it done," Tyler said.

RELATED: Tyler ISD, TJC dental hygiene partnership provides smiles for days

RELATED: Tyler Junior College to host Apache Preview Day

With US college-age population falling, luring more international students could help schools survive

More than half of the 66,000 foreign college students in massachusetts came from just two countries, india and china. recruiting more students from more countries may help schools cope with the expected decline in us-born students..

Bunker Hill Community College enrollment has dropped precipitously over the past decade, from more than 8,900 students in fiscal 2014 to about 5,400 in fiscal 2023. New England is experiencing outmigration, fewer students are graduating from Massachusetts high schools, and COVID-19 drove many low-income students — who might otherwise have enrolled at Bunker Hill — into the job market.

“When you ask what’s the traditional college student, the answers you get are the people we no longer have: the 18- to 22-year-old with two parents, a white picket fence, and dogs,” Bunker Hill president Pam Eddinger said.

That’s where students like Gabriele Deliperi come in. A 26-year-old music producer from Italy, Deliperi already earned his bachelor’s degree back home. But his dream is to produce music for Hollywood, so he wanted to sharpen his skills in the United States. He said he was attracted to Boston because it has public transportation and “European vibes.” He said Bunker Hill Community College offers him the opportunity to study music at a price that is far more affordable than private colleges. Now in his second semester, he hopes to transfer to Berklee College of Music after getting his associate’s degree.

As colleges in Massachusetts face the so-called “demographic cliff,” many schools will need to expand into new markets to survive. This could mean looking to growing communities, like adult new immigrants, or expanding to new domestic markets or nontraditional students. It will almost certainly include attracting students from other countries, whether immigrants or international students.

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Of course, some schools already do cater to foreign students. There were around 1 million international higher ed students studying in the United States last year, according to Open Doors, which tracks international student data. Education analysts at HolonIQ , which maps international student flows, predict that by 2030, there will be more than 1.2 million international students here, with close to 60 percent of them coming from China or India.

International students have for years served a vital role for certain colleges, often elite, selective schools. Since international students generally pay full tuition, they can financially subsidize aid for domestic students. Massachusetts ranks fourth among all states in the number of international students it hosts, around 66,200 in 2021, according to Open Doors. More than half those students came from China or India, and more than 26,000 attended either Northeastern University or Boston University.

The question of which students to recruit and prioritize raises a host of questions about finances, education, and institutional character, and practical questions about how to serve a nontraditional student population. These are questions colleges must wrestle with.

The gold standard for attracting international students in Massachusetts is Northeastern, which ranks second after New York University for the US school with the most international students, according to Open Doors. Northeastern has more than 20,000 international students between its undergraduate, graduate, and work-related programs . Northeastern president Joseph Aoun said the school made a decision in 2007 to “globalize” the university to give students opportunities “to understand the world and be active and engaged in the world.”

For Northeastern, it is not about increasing enrollment — the school accepts just 6 percent of applicants — but an educational philosophy. “You want domestic students to be at ease whether in Mumbai or Paris or Jakarta,” Aoun said. And Aoun acknowledges that higher education has long used full-paying international students to subsidize aid for domestic students.

Open Doors maintains a separate list of 40 leading associate’s degree programs ranked by number of international students. Bunker Hill Community College is the only Massachusetts school to make that list, with around 550 international students in 2022-2023. Donna Casula, director of the college’s International Center, said Bunker Hill has students from more than 90 countries. Many are drawn to specific programs and are seeking an affordable path toward a bachelor’s degree. About 10 percent of international students will transfer to Northeastern, with others studying at other four-year schools, Casula said.

However, attracting large numbers of international students may not be right, or feasible, for all schools. Students learn about Northeastern or Boston University through word of mouth, while other schools lack that reputation. Boston schools have an advantage because international students have a local community of other expats. A nationally ranked school like the University of Massachusetts Amherst may have more power to draw international students than a lower-ranked regional school. Some wealthier schools — like Harvard and MIT — can offer international students financial aid.

The decision to rely on wealthy international students can draw criticism from those who believe American students should get priority for admittance since they will likely contribute to the US workforce.

UMass Amherst has more than 4,000 international students, putting it in the top five Massachusetts universities for international students. At a Board of Higher Education subcommittee meeting, Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page, a UMass Amherst professor, appeared to criticize this strategy, complaining to state officials that public underfunding leads to a situation where UMass must “attract wealthier out-of-state students.”

In an interview, UMass president Marty Meehan said given the impending demographic problems colleges face, the reality is that “universities will have to draw students from everywhere.”

And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Kevin Shih, an assistant professor of economics at Queens College who has studied international students, said at some smaller colleges, international students may displace domestic students. But at larger schools, having more full-pay international students provides the resources to admit more domestic students with aid. “In some cases where they pay much more than the average cost of educating students, [international students] can actually create seats for domestic students,” Shih said.

There are also strategies to address concerns that international students — who are more likely to major in STEM fields — will leave after graduation.

In her fiscal 2025 budget proposal, Governor Maura Healey is seeking to start an “Entrepreneur-In-Residence Program,” where the state would partner with schools and industry to offer tailored services that help immigrant students navigate the federal visa system and find ways to stay in Massachusetts after graduation. The Healey administration says Massachusetts retains just 66 percent of international graduates, compared to 85 percent in top-performing areas of the United States, and about 7,000 international graduates leave the state each year.

Programs like this could help harness the talents of international students like Erxhela Cabiri, a 35-year-old from Albania who’s studying at Bunker Hill Community College. Cabiri’s parents are US citizens living in Braintree, and her sister lives in Boston. Cabiri saw an ad for Bunker Hill Community College on the MBTA while visiting her family. She has a law degree and was working in technology for a telecommunications company in Albania. But she wanted more formal training in technology and wanted to be closer to family. After determining that Bunker Hill had a strong support system for international students, she moved with her husband and two young children to Boston and enrolled to study web development. Cabiri said she is potentially interested in moving to the United States if she can get a visa and find a job.

Schools that can identify the right markets to recruit from and tailor programs to meet those students’ needs will not only help their own bottom line but could also play an important role in recruiting new young people to study — and eventually live and work — in Massachusetts.

Next week: Some colleges won’t survive falling enrollment. What happens to them?

Editorials represent the views of the Boston Globe Editorial Board. Follow us @GlobeOpinion .

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