Start Your First Year of College Abroad
With CIEE First Year Abroad
Your First Year Of College, An Unforgettable Adventure Abroad
CIEE First Year Abroad allows you to complete your first year or semester of college in one of 7 incredible global locations. Gain a deeper global perspective and discover a local culture alongside CIEE College Study Abroad participants, all while earning college credits. Take courses with CIEE local instructors and enjoy amazing cultural excursions. Best-in-class student safety, secure and high-quality housing, and hands-on onsite support all ensure that your first semester or year of college is the most incredible experience.
Upon your return, you can transfer to the college of your choice. Whatever path you follow, you will have gained the confidence and maturity that will make a real difference on campus and set you up for success!
Explore 7 Amazing Locations
Choose a semester or academic year. Fall, spring, or both! Explore our locations to create your dream first semester or year of college.
Explore Courses
Choose from a variety of 1000-2000 level courses (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
- Plus, English Composition, Computer Science, Digital Photography, and many more!
Complete your CIEE First Year Abroad program, then choose between the following options:
Continue on at a CIEE College Partner
Our College Partners are accredited higher education institutions that can provide you with a smooth transition from your first year or semester of college abroad back to campus in the U.S.
Continue at the college of your choice
Use your international experience to impress the admissions team at the dream school of your choice.
Continue at Dean College
You can effortlessly transition your earned credits to a degree program at CIEE's school of record, Dean College.
You put your international education first. We put you first.
For more than 75 years, CIEE has demonstrated a proven track record for helping high school and college students explore new cultures, learn new skills, and achieve their academic goals within a diverse portfolio of high-quality programs. It's why we have a network of 300+ college and university partners. Our Center Directors are seasoned international education professionals and CIEE’s Health, Safety, and Security team is an industry leader in risk assessment, mitigation, staff training, and duty of care standards.
contact options
Have Questions?
Check out our FAQ page for more information on the application, pre-departure process, costs, and more.
Need Further Assistance?
For more help, call our team at (866) 583-0332 or send us an email at FYA-GYA@ciee.org.
Want to Schedule a Call?
If you want to schedule a call, find a time with a CIEE Enrollment Coordinator in your area on our bookings page.
First Year Abroad Blogs
Why It’s a Good Idea to Study Abroad Your Freshman Year
Many students dream of traveling after high school but face pressure to start college right away. The good news? You don’t have to choose between college and adventure. It's totally... keep reading
6 Things Parents Should Know About Their Teen's First Year of College Abroad
As a parent or legal guardian of a teen who is considering spending their first year of college studying abroad, you'll want to know what to expect for them. How... keep reading
8 Benefits of Earning College Credit While Abroad
Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity to see the world and grow as a person at any stage of your academic journey. While there are many excellent travel programs open... keep reading