Top 10 Study Abroad Programs for STEM Majors

If you’re a STEM student looking for a study abroad program, you’re in luck with CIEE!  

Read on as we list our top 10 study abroad programs for STEM majors and how an international hands-on experience will strengthen your skills and last a lifetime.  

Can I study abroad as a STEM major?  

Yes! Students who are STEM majors can absolutely study abroad. In fact, studying abroad will enhance your experience as a STEM student with fieldwork opportunities in more than 70 programs around the world! You’ll be able to conduct independent research alongside field experts and study in world-class research stations and international companies in one of 45 incredible global cities.  

Imagine learning more about tropical ecology in a Costa Rican rainforest, or mechanical engineering at a start-up company in Berlin, home to Europe’s largest economy. A CIEE STEM study abroad program will be an unforgettable experience.  

Why STEM students should study abroad?  

Research shows that international experience is vital for STEM students who will participate in creating technologies that may impact the world. STEM students, who will ultimately become STEM professionals, will need to collaborate on multicultural, international teams to succeed in their careers.  

Embarking on a study abroad program is the perfect opportunity to experience diverse cultures and begin developing interpersonal and multicultural skills.  

Where to study STEM abroad?  

You have quite a few destination options for a STEM study abroad program with CIEE! We’ve listed each of our cities here (and be forewarned: there are many). We’ll help you narrow down your options later – keep reading!  

STEM study abroad program locations: 

Top 10 Study Abroad Programs for STEM Majors  

Now that you’ve seen all the STEM study abroad destination possibilities, let’s dive into what we consider our Top 10 study abroad programs for STEM majors!  

#1: Business + Technology (Tallinn)  

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn is considered a premier study abroad destination for tech students. This small but mighty country is a technological powerhouse, considered an “e-society,” and leading the world in technological advances. For tech-focused STEM majors, this will be an eye-opening study abroad experience.  

Read More: 10 Reasons Why Estonia is the “It” Destination for Tech Students  

Program details:  

• Length: 19 weeks 
• Credits: 12-18 semester hours/18-27 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA  
• Cost: $19,850 
• Featured Course: Social, Professional, and Ethical Aspects of IT at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)  
• Excursion Highlight: Visit Tartu, an Estonian city known as the City of Good Thoughts  

#2: Summer STEM + Society (Yucatán)  

Yucatán, a beautiful and historic part of Mexico located right on the Gulf of Mexico, is home to biodiverse nature reserves, UNESCO archaeological sites, and dozens of universities and national research facilities in the region’s capital and largest city: Mérida. As a STEM student, Yucatán is a dream.  

Program details:  

• Length: Six weeks 
• Credits: 6-7 per Block semester hours/9-10.5 per Block quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA  
• Cost: $5,450 
• Excursion Highlight: Visit Chichen Itza, a centerpiece of Mayan civilization and the astronomical precision of El Castillo’s design  

#3: Summer Wildlife Ecology + Conservation (Gaborone)  

As the capital of Botswana, Gaborone is known for its diverse native animals, nature reserves, and incredible communities and cultures. You’ll have the opportunity to dive deep into studies around animal behavior, ecology, ecosystem operation, and conservation in this amazing STEM study abroad program.  

Program details:  

• Length: Eight weeks 
• Credits: 10 semester hours/15 quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA  
• Cost: $8,250  
• Featured Course: Wildlife and Society  
• Excursion Highlight: Travel to Okavango Delta to speak with local villagers on issues of human-wildlife conflict and conservation   

#4: Global Architecture + Design (Berlin)  

Berlin, the capital of Germany and an economic European hub, is making strides in design, architecture, and sustainability. Learn how to create model cities that address climate change and reduce the environmental footprint of buildings with this unique STEM study abroad program.  

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Germany  

Program details:  

• Length: 18 weeks  
• Credits: 15-18 semester hours/22.5-27 quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA  
• Cost: $21,950  
• Featured Course: Design and Sustainability Seminar  
• Excursion Highlight: Visit Nuremberg, Germany’s second-largest city, an important historical city    

#5: Tropical Ecology + Conservation (Monteverde)  

Explore the high biodiversity of the tropical cloud forest in Costa Rica’s Monteverde, where conservation, environmental education, ecotourism, and the local community work together to preserve this incredible place. This high hands-on STEM study abroad program will help students interested in environmental and natural sciences gain valuable skills while learning Spanish and interacting with diverse local communities.  

Program details:  

• Length: 16 weeks  
• Credits: 17-18 semester hours/25.5-27 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA  
• Cost: $19,950 
• Featured Course: Tropical Diversity  
• Excursion Highlight: Hike in one of Costa Rica’s 26 national parks  

#6: Engineering + Society (Madrid)  

The lively Spanish city of Madrid is home to the renowned Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), where students can enroll in aerospace, energy, or biomedical engineering courses while learning Spanish and gaining insight into the city’s business and, of course, exciting local culture.  

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Madrid  

Program details:  

• Length: 19 weeks  
• Credits: 15-18 semester hours/22.5-27 quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 3.0 Overall GPA  
• Cost: $20,950 
• Featured Course: Mobile and Space Communications Engineering at UC3M  
• Excursion Highlight: Visit El Escorial’s Royal Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site built in the 1500s 

#7: Summer Community Public Health (Buenos Aires)  

As the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is the country’s largest city, and not only is it a cosmopolitan cultural hub, but it also serves as a great place to learn more about public health challenges in Latin America and discover how intricate and valuable such systems are through hands-on learning alongside experienced professionals. This is a great STEM study abroad program for those in biology, medicine, nursing, or other related fields.  

Program details:  

• Length: Eight weeks 
• Credit: 10 semester hours/15 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA  
• Cost: $8,450 
• Excursion Highlight: Visit many cultural centers, museums, art galleries, and more in this bustling city, including Museo de Bellas Artes 

#8: Arts + Sciences (Cape Town)  

Cape Town serves as one of South Africa’s most important ports and capital cities. While this destination will have you busy exploring its amazing outdoor adventures, culture, and complex history, you’ll get to take a wide range of STEM-focused courses alongside students from all over the world at the University of Cape Town (UCT), the country’s top-ranked university, notably recognized for its Development Studies, Environmental Science and Engineering, and Oceanography programs.  

Read More: Eat, Drink, Explore: Cape Town 

Program details:  

• Length: 19 weeks  
• Credit: 15-18 semester hours/22.5-27 quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 3.0 Overall GPA  
• Cost: $20,850 
• Featured Course: Archaeology at UCT  
• Excursion Highlight: Travel to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned  

#9: Open Campus Block (Shanghai)  

As one of the busiest cities in the world, Shanghai has a lot to offer – from learning more about Chinese culture and tradition to taking rigorous STEM-related courses alongside Chinese students and other international students, you’ll have much to discover, all while improving your Chinese language skills!  

We consider this one of our top STEM study abroad programs because students can build their own study abroad adventure with Open Campus while diving deep into subjects they’re passionate about, like STEM-focused ones.  

Read More: 3 Best Cities for Study Abroad in Greater China  

Program details:  

• Length: 18 weeks 
• Credit: 6-7 per Block semester hours/9-10.5 per Block quarter hours 
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA 
• Cost: $20,631 
• Featured Course: Global Environmental Policy  
• Excursion Highlight: Visit traditional water towns, such as Wuzhen and Zhujiajiao 

#10: Arts + Sciences (Sydney)  

While adventuring through the Land Down Under is thrilling to just about anyone, STEM students are particularly in for a treat with this study abroad program in Sydney, an important cultural and economic hub of Australia. You’ll get to study at one of the country’s top-ranked universities, The University of New South Wales (UNSW), and gain fascinating insight into various academic disciplines while journeying through Sydney’s unbelievable natural sites, including beaches and natural parks.  

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Australia  

Program details:  

• Length: 18 weeks  
• Credit: 14-18 semester hours/21-27 quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 3.0 Overall GPA  
• Cost: $20,850 
• Featured Field: Engineering courses at UNSW  
• Excursion Highlight: Learn more about the world’s oldest civilization during an Aboriginal cultural tour

Take Your STEM Studies Global 

As a STEM student, it’s crucial to go international and gain the right cultural competency and communication skills you’ll need to excel in your career. And with CIEE, it’s all possible. Get started today! 

EXPLORE STEM STUDY ABROAD