9 Super Cool Study Abroad Programs

What’s cooler than cool? ICE COLD—wait, no. STUDY ABROAD. There it is.

Now that you’re done rocking out to Outkast, it’s time to refocus. You’re here for a reason! There are 196 countries across this beautiful blue dot/crazy ball of dirt we call home, and you want to start exploring at least one of them during your study abroad program. But, there’s always time to wander across Western Europe—the Eiffel Tower isn’t going anywhere, trust us. 

Ready to live life in Auckland as a Kiwi? Heads up—many locals walk barefoot! ???

No, you’re looking for unusual places to study abroad. You’re looking for THE coolest study abroad programs a little further off the beaten path. You’re not afraid of a language barrier; in fact, you LAUGH in the face of language barriers because you’re eager to learn. Homestays are your jam, and spotty WiFi is your bread and butter. Becky can go to Barcelona, but you’re going to the far reaches of the rainforest or deep into the mountains.

You don’t always study abroad, but when you do, it should be with one of these cool study abroad programs.

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Our roundup of the 9 coolest study abroad programs

Looking for something a little different? Want to study abroad in a unique location or go off the beaten path? We feel you! Below are ten ultra-cool programs that are like whoa. 

1. Befriend Kiwis & Study Abroad with WorldStrides in Auckland, New Zealand

WorldStrides offers study abroad opportunities for students to study over 30 subjects at two different universities: AUT University and the University of Auckland. It’s super cool to learn about the native culture (Maori) and their national emphasis on conservation, and the amazing cafe culture and outdoorsy lifestyles are the cherry on top. If you enjoy insanely gorgeous vistas and want to study abroad, this is the program for you. 

• Where: New Zealand
• When: Year-round
• What makes it cool? New Zealand automatically wins any contests for cool places to study abroad. Things we know about New Zealand: Nice people, gorgeous natural scenery, and most people who visit don’t want to leave. Interested? 
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2. Chant Om's & Study Abroad with API in Thimphu, Bhutan

As far as exotic locations go, good luck finding more unusual places to study abroad than Bhutan! With this program, you’ll study alongside Bhutanese students in a variety of courses from accounting to computer engineering, with options to also intern with local and international NGOs. Oh, and you can come back home fluent in Bhutanese, which, if nothing else, is a pretty sweet party trick. Ready to get your “om” on in one of API’s cool study abroad programs?

• Where: Bhutan
• When: Semester or academic year programs
• What makes it cool? Bhutan is the birthplace of the Gross National Happiness Index, and is often perceived as one of the happiest places in the world. It’s also a deeply spiritual country (but without being intrusive)—get ready for a photo feed full of snaps of gorgeous temples, monasteries, and prayer flags. 
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3. HUMMUS!!! Study Abroad with the American University in Beirut, Lebanon

With over 120 undergraduate and graduate programs to offer, the American University in Beirut offers students the opportunity to experience the Middle East firsthand while also receiving a world-class education. The university also offers intensive Arabic language courses and accepts applications to its programs year-round. Not to mention, the souk is sick.

• Where: Lebanon
• When: Semester, academic year
• What makes it cool? There are programs for studying in the Middle East and there are programs for studying in the Middle East, and you really can’t go wrong with any programs for studying in the Middle East. However, American University’s extra cool study abroad programs define “cool” with its extensive support staff, variety of courses, and, of course, proximity to world-class shawarma. Yeah, that just happened.
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Hummus, falafel, shawarma, baba ghanoush and more?! Your love for Lebanese cuisine (and views) will grow immensely. ?

4. Live a Fairytale & Study Abroad with USAC in Kraków, Poland

Live and study in Poland’s leading academic hub through USAC’s study abroad program, where students can take courses in Jewish studies, Central European Studies, Economics, and politics—all while pigging out on pierogies and enjoying the cultural powerhouse that is modern-day Kraków.

• Where: Poland
• When: Year-round
• What makes it cool? Beloved Kraków has many fans, and for one great reason… it gives a laid-back, yet beautiful, peek into major tragedies from the 20th century, like the Holocaust. Kind locals: check. Hip cafe culture: check. Even its cobblestone streets and varied churches make you feel like you’re walking in a complex picture book. History buffs, this one’s for you.
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5. Impersonate Shrek (Or Merida) & Study Abroad with WorldStrides in Stirling, Scotland

Study at a top-ranked university with an American-style college campus in Stirling, Scotland! Get immersed in Scottish culture, study any of the over 30 offered courses, and enjoy regular culture excursions where you will learn Scottish history and culture. Warning: you’ll need to save room in your luggage to bring a souvenir kilt home!

• Where: Scotland
• When: Year-round
• What makes it cool? Scotland usually gets shafted in favor of England and Ireland, but smart study abroad students know better. Here, you still get access to centuries-old cultures modernizing at rapid paces—not to mention all of the haggis, castles, bagpipes, and Braveheart references you can stomach. The rolling hillsides are the icing on top of the oatcakes. It’s all of the culture and ease of travel you’d want, but served up at a lower cost than London or Dublin.
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Study abroad excursions to palaces around Scotland…. Need I say more?!

6. Make Dumplings & Study with CISabroad in Beijing, China

There are a few languages that have more professional value than Chinese. Students from around the world join CSA in Beijing to study Chinese at the Beijing Language and Culture study, to study side by side local Chinese students and international students alike. 

• Where: China
• When: Semester
• What makes it cool? From the first sight of the perfectly sculpted hutong rooftops to the last bite of chewy hand-pulled “long life” noodles, China transcends. And then there’s the 5000+ year old culture, the powerhouse economy, and an artistic language that could make or break your future career. Note: Studying here could be habit-forming.
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7. Climb Mountains & Study Abroad in South Africa with CIEE

Students can choose from a variety of disciplines—from politics to literature to courses on NGOs—and get hands-on experiences through lectures led by guest speakers, workshops, and guided reflection and experience out in the world. For students who want to tackle some of mankind's most pressing issues, this is a great way to learn about them firsthand. 

• Where: South Africa
• When: Year-round
• What makes it cool? Another favorite of our cool study abroad programs experts, South Africa sets the bar high with its colorfully dressed, braai-loving locals that are still bouncing back from decades of hardship and oppression—with grace and resilience. Every day starts with a jaw-dropping sunrise and ends with an extra-pleasing glass of local Pinotage. Yep.
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Your problems will become irrelephant when you see these beauties in South Africa. ?

8. Try the Nomadic Life & Study in Mongolia with SIT

Do you want to dive deeper into modern-day resource management challenges and victories—and how each shapes public and private life? Then come to Mongolia, one of our favorite unusual places to study abroad. Here, students examine natural resource management, nomadic traditions, and economic growth from the country’s unique vantage point. Also—cute, stout horses.

• Where: Mongolia
• When: Fall, Spring semesters
• What makes it cool? When a study abroad royalty opens up a new venture, you check it out. Even if it’s in the grasslands of Asia. Mongolia is the epitome of badass. And yes, the hot pot is divine, but what keeps us returning is the replete hospitality and undying love for Genghis Khan—a controversial, but important person in world history. Mongolia gets us.
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9. Get Up Close & Personal With the Wilds of Alaska through SVA

Alaska is rich in nature, wildlife, and natural resources. It’s an oft-overlooked and underappreciated destination, even though some of the coolest study abroad programs happen there (in our own backyard, no less!). Just because it's not "abroad" doesn't mean you can't learn as much—if not more—than you could in an international destination. This SVA program is geared towards design students, coaching you through the production of your very own travel magazine—featuring your own work. Awesome, right?

• Where: Alaska
• When: Summer
• What makes it cool? Who knew our own could double as an incredible study abroad destination? Yet Alaska is worlds away when you consider your life in the contiguous United States. Seasons dictate what you can (and can’t) do in Alaska, but classic activities like national park hopping, deep-sea fishing, and sea kayaking are all on the menu for this two-credit study abroad adventure. Grab plenty of dried salmon to take home, and you’ll become the favorite son/daughter at your next family dinner.
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Next stop: Cool places to study abroad

It doesn’t get much cooler than studying abroad in Guyana… ???

You think you've got it. Oh, you think you've got it, but "got it" just doesn't get it 'til your passport is stamped and you’re studying in one of these cool places to study abroad. We’ve basically done a lot of the legwork for you, so all you need to do is pick a program and go! Hop to it. You won’t regret it for a single second. Studying abroad will go down as one of the coolest things you ever did—especially in one of these unusual places to study abroad. 

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