High School Counselors and Educators
Your Students Deserve Options
CIEE’s College First Year Abroad is a program for globally minded, college-bound high school graduates.
Before enrolling in their preferred U.S. college, your students can begin their college career by studying abroad for 12 weeks at one of CIEE’s 13 College First Year Abroad locations, where they will earn 12-14 college credits, embrace a new culture, and experience a transformative semester that sets them up for success for the duration of their college career and beyond.
CIEE’s College First Year Abroad (CFYA) program is designed intentionally to allow first-year students to study abroad for a full semester in one or two international locations. CIEE CFYA is delivered in two blocks of 6 weeks each, allowing your students to spend 12 weeks in one location or decide to compare and contrast living and learning in two international locations for 6 weeks each. CIEE College First Year Abroad locations include: Copenhagen, London, Madrid, Seville*, Paris, Prague, Florence*, Rome, Buenos Aires, Mérida, Monteverde, Kyoto, and Seoul.
*coming fall 2027
CIEE College First Year Abroad at at Glance
Your students will enroll in 4-5 fully accredited college courses each semester that align with their academic interests and that are delivered in two ways:
- In-person courses are taught by CIEE’s international college professors and earn academic credit from CIEE’s official School of Record, Tulane University.
- Online courses are taught by faculty at CIEE’s global university partner, Arizona State University, and earn academic credit from Arizona State University.
While spending their first semester abroad, your students will experience local culture through carefully guided co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. They will have the opportunity to participate in international research projects, community service, and internships.
Your students will return home transformed by their first-year study abroad experience with an expanded sense of confidence, resilience, independence, and maturity that extensive research has shown will better prepare them for long-term success in college and beyond.
Students have the choice to attend CIEE’s College First Year Abroad for one semester or two, depending on their personal college plan.
Once your student completes their CIEE College First Year Abroad program, they will apply to transfer their Tulane University and/or ASU academic credit to the college of their choice, including one of CIEE’s College Partners. CIEE student support staff will help your students in this process.
On a College First Year Abroad program, students earn college credit while gaining a wide range of educational benefits, including:
- A Global Perspective: Living and learning abroad helps students develop a broader worldview and enhances both academic and personal growth.
- College Credits: Participants earn credits that count toward their future degree.
- Diverse Destinations: Students can begin their first semester or full year abroad in locations such as England, Costa Rica, Japan, and more.
- Personalized Support: CIEE provides guidance throughout the enrollment process, prepares students for studying abroad, answers questions about post-program options, and supplies documentation to support credit transfer to their future college.
What Best Describes Your Students
| They are looking for opportunities that look good on college apps | They are globally minded | They want credit |
|---|---|---|
| "They want to bolster their college application with experience and credits that will make them an even stronger candidate for their dream school." | "They want to pursue international education - without taking on significant debt - while they decide whether to pursue a college degree." | "They want a Gap Year, but their parents want college. The compromise is for them to earn credits during a College First Year Abroad Program." |
For students looking to stand out on college applications, College First Year Abroad offers:
- Global Experiential Learning: Colleges recognize that studying abroad can improve retention, GPA, degree completion, transfer rates, and career outcomes.
- Trusted Affiliation: Participation in a CIEE program is backed by an organization top colleges know and respect.
- College Partner Network: CIEE’s College Partners are ready to review applications from College First Year Abroad alumni upon program completion. We provide students with a guaranteed pathway to college, if they meet the academic conditions of CIEE’s College Partners.
For the globally minded student, College First Year Abroad offers:
- Incredible Global Cities: Study abroad in some of the world’s most exciting locations with the leader in international education.
- Flexible Options: Enroll for one semester (fall or spring) or a full year in one or two locations.
- Meaningful Connections: Build relationships with peers from diverse backgrounds and join a worldwide network of alumni.
For the student who wants credit, College First Year Abroad provides:
- Academic and Experiential Learning: Combine international experiences with a high-quality curriculum that advances their studies.
- An Unforgettable Adventure: Explore a new country while staying on track for a 2-year or 4-year degree.
- Flexible Academic Pathways:
- Transfer to a CIEE College Partner
- Apply to the college or university of their choice
Ready to Join a Community of Inspiring Educators?
Connect with like-minded educators, access resources to support your students, and participate in meaningful travel and professional development opportunities around the world.
Opportunities For Your Students to Continue Their Education at CIEE College Partners
CIEE understands the importance of a smooth transition for students returning from life-changing experiences abroad. Our network of College Partners offers several key benefits:
- Seamless Credit Transfer: Accredited U.S. universities in our network have already evaluated College First Year Abroad coursework for potential credit transfer, reducing uncertainty and streamlining reintegration.
- Global Perspective Valued: College Partners recognize the immense value of study abroad and the unique global perspective students bring to their classrooms.
- Continued Support: CIEE provides ongoing support for returning students, both abroad and in the U.S., to ensure a smooth transition back into academics.
- Reduced College Application Costs: Many College Partners offer application fee waivers for students returning from College First Year Abroad programs.
Applying to colleges/universities after a transformative CFYA experience can be complex. CIEE and our College Partners work together to ease this process, providing guidance and support every step of the way.
College First Year Abroad
Get Your Questions Answered
Learn more by attending one of our upcoming webinars or book a one-on-one consultation with the CIEE team to discuss student options and program details.
Blog posts
Everything Parents Need to Know About First Year Abroad
Whether you’re a recent high school grad wondering, “How can I convince my parents to let me study abroad?” or you’re a parent of a recent graduate curious about studying... keep reading
Top 7 Safety Myths That Stop Students from Going on a First Year Abroad
Thinking about studying abroad directly after high school but feeling nervous? You’re not alone. Both students and parents worry about study abroad safety, cultural adjustment, and a million “what-ifs.” However... keep reading
3 Lessons I Learned in Barcelona and Brought to NYU
Post written by CIEE Global Navigator alum Sally B. who participated in the Global Navigator Marketing Internship in spring of 2025. She is now in college at New York University... keep reading