After CIEE College First Year Abroad

What comes after College First Year Abroad? It’s up to you!

CIEE College First Year Abroad students can choose from a wide variety of courses, from highly transferable intro-level courses to foundational courses in sciences, humanities, and more. 

After your CIEE College First Year Abroad program, you can:

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Transfer to a First Year Abroad College Partner

CIEE partners with globally minded colleges and universities across the U.S. to help students study abroad first, then continue their academic journey on campus. Our College Partners have already reviewed your College First Year Abroad courses to their course catalog, making your transfer process smoother and more straightforward. First Year Abroad College Partners provide you with a guaranteed pathway to college, as long as you meet their academic conditions.

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Transfer to any college or university

College First Year Abroad is designed to align with U.S. college curricula, maximizing credit transferability and making it easier to continue your studies wherever you choose.

Plus, having international experience as a transfer student can give you an edge in the admissions process. Colleges often value transfer students who have a strong academic record and a clear sense of direction – and studying abroad shows both. You’ve earned college credit while gaining a unique and enriching global experience.

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A Guide to CIEE’s College Partners

Our College Partners are accredited higher education institutions that make it easy to transition from your first semester or year abroad back to a U.S. campus. They value the global perspective you bring and have already evaluated College First Year Abroad courses to help ensure your credits transfer smoothly. 

By transferring to a College Partner, you’ll: 

  • Know exactly how your College First Year Abroad core courses abroad will transfer
  • Receive extended support from CIEE both abroad and in the U.S.
  • Potentially save on college application costs and fees 

Returning to college after an incredible experience abroad can feel overwhelming. Our College Partners work closely with us to ease the transition and help you stay on the right academic path. 

How it Works

1

Apply to a College Partner

Submit your application through the College Partner’s admission portal by their application deadline. Choose the semester you’d like to start after completing your College First Year Abroad program.        

2

Submit Required Documents

This may include your high school transcript, letters of recommendation, mid-semester grades, and other materials. 

3

Send Your Official Transcript

After completing your College First Year Abroad program, request your official transcript from Tulane University for CIEE in-person courses and ASU for online courses to be sent directly to the College Partner. 

4

Continue Your College Journey

Begin your studies at your new institution and build on the experiences and credits you earned abroad! 

Note: You may complete the College Partner’s college application even before starting your College First Year Abroad program. However, you must be a confirmed CIEE College First Year Abroad participant before submitting that application.

College Partners

George Washington University

Washington, DC | Private | 11,500 undergraduate students

Learn more about GW

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University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL | Public | 22,500 undergraduate students

Learn more about UIC

Frequently Asked Questions

Designed for U.S. high school graduates, the CIEE College First Year Abroad program gives you the chance to start your college journey in an exciting global destination. Spend one semester earning 12-14 college credits  in an incredible host city or enroll for a full year and explore up to two dynamic locations.

Our College Partners welcome students who bring a global perspective to their campus as they complete their undergraduate degree.

These institutions have already evaluated College First Year Abroad core courses for potential transfer credit, so you’ll know in advance how your credits will count at your new institution. Courses from CIEE’s Open Campus or ASU’s Online catalogs will be evaluated by College Partners on an individual basis.

Many College Partners also offer application fee waivers, allowing you to apply with no out-of-pocket costs.

Each college/university has its own transfer credit policy, so it’s important to review your prospective school’s guidelines. You can usually find this information on the admissions or registrar’s section of their website.

College Partners are colleges and institutions committed to international and global education. They value the unique perspective and experience that College First Year Abroad students gain by starting their academic journey abroad.

Research shows that students who study abroad tend to have higher GPAs, higher graduation rates, and stronger job placement outcomes than peers who don’t.

After your College First Year Abroad, you can transfer to any college or university, even if it’s not a CIEE College Partner.

You’ll need to review that school’s transfer application process and submit your official transcripts from Tulane University and Arizona State University.

Explore your options after your CIEE College First Year Abroad

Becoming a CIEE College Partner

First Year Abroad

Interested in becoming a CIEE First Year Abroad College Partner?

Contact Lisa Chestney Leeke, Director of College First Year Abroad Partnerships, at lleeke@ciee.org or sign up for a college partner webinar.