Why Choose CIEE for Your First Year Abroad?

When choosing a first year abroad program, you want to go with a program that delivers on its promises: high-quality education, adventures galore, and support when you need it. Let’s take a closer look at how CIEE provides these attributes and more, and most importantly, why we should be your program of choice the adventure of a lifetime. (Humble brag.)

Who Is CIEE? 

This is a great place to start – and we don’t mind answering! Founded in 1947 (yes, more than 75 years ago!), CIEE is a nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization aiming to bring the world together through connections between different people, different countries, and different cultures. What can we say, we live for this stuff.

Since we’ve been around for so long (and proud of it), we have quite a few different abroad programs in our portfolio that span a person’s academic and even professional years, including: 

• High School Study Abroad
• Post-High School Study Abroad: (Gap Year Abroad & First Year Abroad)
• College Study Abroad
• Work Abroad

Each of these programs provides unique international experiences. Still, one thing rings true across our portfolio of offerings: you’ll become a more globalized citizen and will use your new skills to make the world a better place, one connection at a time. 

Now, let’s review other benefits of a CIEE program and really examine how our newest program, first year abroad, encompasses all the things we value. 

Where You’ll See the World and Then Some 

We offer diverse program locations, with international cities spanning the world. From countries in Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Europe to Latin America, the Middle East, and America, no matter where you decide to go, you’ll get to embark on a fascinating adventure.

Check out our incredible first year abroad locations: 

• Barcelona, Spain
• Berlin, Germany
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Dublin, Ireland
• Kyoto, Japan
• London, United Kingdom
• Monteverde, Costa Rica
• Paris, France
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Rabat, Morocco
• Rome, Italy
• Seville, Spain
• Sydney, Australia 

With CIEE’s First Year Abroad, students can choose a 12-week semester in one location or 6-week blocks in two locations. You can also select a fall semester, spring semester, or even combine both to make up a full year. The choice is yours.

In each of our study abroad locations, participants will go on guided cultural excursions, diving deep into the local history, heritage, and culture of their study abroad destination. From museum stops and overnight journeys in neighboring cities to hikes and visits to the most iconic landmarks, you’ll stay busy during your CIEE program, and truly learn more about your new environment. 

Here is just a quick look at past CIEE excursions: 

• In Rabat, Morocco, visit the Casablanca Hassan II Mosque, one of the tallest minarets in the world and the only mosque in Morocco open to visitors 
• Fly to the north of Argentina and feast on specialty empanadas and visit a Peña folklorico to learn more about local culture, music, and dances during your first year abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina
• In Rome, Italy, walk the footsteps of the ancients among the remains of Pompeii

And much, much more. 

Plus, these are just the guided excursions included in your first year abroad program; you’ll get to explore a new international city on your own and with friends, too. 

Where Your Dreams Become Reality

CIEE helps make study abroad dreams a reality with our diverse scholarship and grant options. We offer more than 8 million dollars in scholarships and grants to more than 1,000 CIEE applicants each year – and we don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon! Making an international education accessible to as many people as possible is a primary focus of our organization. 

For CIEE First Year Abroad, your funding options will differ slightly as you’ll be enrolled as a student at our academic home and school of record, Dean College. But you’ll still have options. Through Dean College, you’ll be eligible to apply for financial aid that can be used while you go abroad for your first year. Reach out if you have any specific questions. We’re happy to help. 

Where You’ll Reach New Academic Heights 

Most CIEE study abroad programs include an exciting academic schedule with fascinating courses that span a variety of disciplines taught by world-class faculty. We partner with hundreds of prestigious schools worldwide and fully operate CIEE partner schools with robust CIEE center staff, including advising teams, support services, and more. 

Discover some of your first year abroad course options, which include a variety of intro-level college courses, each worth 3-4 credits: 

• Languages: French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish
• Arts: Intro to Studio Art, Music Appreciation, and Art History 
• Social Sciences: World History, Cultural Geography, and Intro to Psychology
• Business: Principles of Management, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics 
• Math: Intro to Statistics, College Algebra, and Calculus
• Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science
• Others: English Composition, Computer Science, Digital Photography, and many more! 

We’ll set you up for success when you’re on program, so you’ll get to enjoy your courses while you’re abroad and explore the world. The perfect balance between learning in the classroom and beyond the classroom walls – what studying abroad with CIEE is all about. 

Where You’ll Get to Adventure Safely

CIEE’s integrated worldwide teams focus on compassionate, respectful, and individualized support that follows our protocols and safeguards others if ever needed. At CIEE, we calculate risk and use data-driven analyses by experienced global risk management professionals to ensure the best-in-class safety for all participants and staff. 

We follow core safety practices, which include bystander intervention training, mental health support, and site-specific information. Our staff’s priority is – and always has been – our students’ wellbeing. 

With our experienced team, 24/7 on-site emergency support, and decades of perfecting our safety and risk responses, you can travel the world safely with CIEE. 

Get on Your Way

No matter which CIEE program you choose for an international education and experience, you’ll invest your time and energy wisely. We can’t wait for you to get started. 

EXPLORE CIEE FIRST YEAR ABROAD