Can You Study Abroad in Community College?
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Study abroad isn’t reserved for students at four-year universities. If you’re attending community college, an international experience may be more within reach than you think.
Whether you want to spend a summer exploring a new city, take courses overseas for a semester, or build a shorter experience around your academic schedule, community college study abroad can open up opportunities to earn college credit while experiencing life somewhere completely new.
So, can you study abroad in community college? Short answer: Yes. And there’s more than one way to make it happen. Let’s get into what you need to know.
Can You Study Abroad as a Community College Student?
Yes! Being enrolled at a community college doesn’t automatically keep you from studying abroad.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Do community colleges offer study abroad?” the answer depends on your school. Some community colleges have their own international programs, while students may also be able to study abroad through an external provider like CIEE.
Studying abroad gives you the chance to take your education beyond your home campus and experience another culture as part of your college journey. Along the way, you can meet people from different backgrounds, discover new perspectives, build independence, and develop skills you can take back to the classroom and, eventually, into your career.
The important part is finding a program that works with your school, your credits, and your goals.
Studying Abroad in Community College: What to Know
Ready to take your education global? Before you start packing your suitcase, there are a few things to consider, including eligibility, destination, program length, academics, and funding.
Who Can Go Abroad?
Eligibility for community college study abroad varies depending on your college and the program you choose, so it's important to review the requirements for both.
For CIEE College Study Abroad programs, students must meet the eligibility requirements for their specific program and be in good standing at their home college or university. CIEE’s minimum GPA is typically 2.5, though some programs have different requirements.
Before applying, connect with your college advisor to confirm your eligibility and determine how your study abroad courses and credits can fit into your academic plan. We recommend checking with your campus study abroad office before departure to ensure the credits you earn abroad can count toward your degree.
Where Can You Go?
One of the most exciting parts of studying abroad is choosing where you'll call home!
Your options may depend on your college's policies, academic requirements, and which courses you need, but there are study abroad destinations around the world to explore. CIEE, for example, offers college study abroad opportunities across destinations in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and beyond.
The key is finding a destination and program that work with your academic goals. Want to practice a new language? Dive deeper into your major? Experience life in a city you've always wanted to visit? Start by exploring CIEE study abroad locations and see where your studies could take you.
When & How Long Can You Go?
There's no single timeline for studying abroad in community college. The best option depends on your academic schedule, credit needs, and personal goals.
CIEE offers college study abroad programs during semester, summer, and January terms, as well as flexible Open Campus and Quarter abroad options.
Whether you want to spend several weeks abroad or experience an entire semester in another part of the world, talk with your academic advisor to determine which option best fits your degree plan.
How Can You Fund Your Study Abroad Journey?
Cost shouldn't automatically put studying abroad out of reach. Scholarships, grants, financial aid, and other funding sources can help make your international experience more affordable.
CIEE offers need-based, merit-based, and other funding opportunities for eligible college students. Need-based awards may take a student's Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA into account, while other scholarships have their own eligibility requirements.
Depending on your situation and program, federal financial aid may also be an option, so check with your college's financial aid office to understand what funding can be applied toward your experience. Outside scholarships and fundraising can also help you build your study abroad budget. Explore our scholarships and grants to learn more about available funding opportunities.
Is it Worth Studying Abroad as a Community College Student?
Absolutely! Community college study abroad can be an investment in both your education and your personal growth.
Some of the biggest benefits of studying abroad include:
- Building independence: Navigating everyday life in another country can help you become more adaptable, resourceful, and confident.
- Developing intercultural skills: Living and learning alongside people from different backgrounds can broaden your global perspective and strengthen your ability to communicate across cultures.
- Strengthening your resume: An international learning experience can help demonstrate qualities like adaptability, independence, communication, and problem-solving to future employers.
- Exploring your academic interests: Studying a subject in a different cultural setting can introduce you to new perspectives and ways of thinking.
- Creating unforgettable experiences: From making new friends to experiencing local traditions, studying abroad gives you opportunities to make memories far beyond the classroom.
Whether you're planning to enter the workforce after community college or transfer to a four-year university, studying abroad can add a valuable global dimension to your college experience.
How CIEE Works to Make Study Abroad Accessible to Community College Students
Knowing study abroad is worth it is one thing. Knowing there’s support to help you get there is another. At CIEE, expanding access to study abroad is a core priority, and that includes making sure community college students, first-generation students, Pell-eligible students, and others who are often underrepresented abroad have real pathways to go global.
And it’s already happening. Through CIEE's Pledge to Lead Change in Study Abroad, CIEE partners with colleges like Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), whose Global Scholars Program has a big goal: sending 1,000 students abroad by 2028. In the first year of the partnership, 153 BMCC students studied abroad with CIEE. In year two, that number more than doubled to 359. The goal is bigger than a passport stamp, too. BMCC is focused on helping students stay in school, finish their degrees, and land careers after graduation.
Still figuring out your next move after high school? Not everyone goes straight from graduation to a four-year campus, and there’s more than one way to start college. With CIEE College First Year Abroad, you can start college in one of 13 cities around the world, from Seoul to Buenos Aires, and earn 12-14 semester credits through Tulane University or Arizona State University to bring back to your next school, whether that’s a community college now or a four-year university later. Bottom line: your study abroad story doesn’t have to wait for “someday.”
Study Abroad in Community College with CIEE
You don’t have to wait until you transfer to a four-year school to start seeing more of the world. Studying abroad in community college can mean earning credits in a new country, experiencing a different culture beyond the classroom, and adding something completely different to your college experience.
And with CIEE programs across the globe, your biggest question might go from “Can you study abroad in community college?” to “Where should I go?”
Your college journey is already yours to shape. Take it somewhere unexpected.