Join CU Boulder’s Education Abroad in celebrating International Education Week, a week to learn about and celebrate all forms of international education. International Education Week (IEW) is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the U.S. Department of Education developed “to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences.”

While IEW first started in the U.S., it’s now celebrated globally. Education Abroad is excited about the role that study abroad plays in enabling CU students to engage thoughtfully with other cultures, build personal and professional skills, and impact their host and home communities meaningfully.

As part of the IEW, national data is released about study abroad trends during the academic year. The university is proud of how eager CU students were to re-engage in international education once COVID-related travel restrictions subsided. Read more about the 2023 Open Doors Report.

Studying abroad is an amazing way to earn credit all over the world, and experience new cultures, languages, people and places. Education Abroad offers 400 programs in 65 countries and on seven continents—yes, even Antarctica! There are program options for all students, regardless of major, minor, identity, budget and more.

With so many opportunities to choose from, Education Abroad is highlighting some of its new programs and scholarships, sustainability initiatives and upcoming deadlines you don’t want to miss.

Faculty-led Global Seminars

Global Seminars, one option out of the many offered through CU, are typically three to six weeks in the summer. The programs are comprised of CU students, led by CU Boulder faculty members. Getting a more direct stream of coursework and focusing on one or two topics are the key elements of Global Seminars, which often appeal to students who want a smaller group participation while abroad. An important aspect of Global Seminars is how they take a hands-on approach to the coursework that engages students with the the culture of their host city and country.

CU’s newest Global Seminars include learning about culture and tourism in Costa Rica, discovering ethnography and data in London, developing global leadership in Malta, and fostering community engagement in Mexico with language revitalization! And beginning in fall 2024, Education Abroad will be offering its first-ever Global Semester! On this program, students can complete their engineering management or entrepreneurship minor while spending the entire semester in Lisbon.

Global Seminars are an amazing way to not only earn credit abroad while engaging wiht another culture but also offer a unique opportunity to build upon your CU community, developing deep relationships with your fellow Buffs on the program. Keep note that most of the deadlines for these programs are Dec. 1—you won’t want to miss out! Email globalseminars@colorado.edu to get started today.

Education Abroad scholarships

CU Education Abroad is committed to ensuring that all students have the ability and opportunity to study abroad. We understand that finances are often top of mind when choosing a program. Students can use their federal, state and institutional financial aid to help pay for any approved CU Boulder Education Abroad program. Additionally, Education Abroad offers many scholarships to provide extra support to students while abroad.

Buffs Abroad Scholarship

The Buffs Abroad Scholarship is the most common scholarship offered. Scholarship amounts can vary depending on student need and the cost of the program. The best part about the Buffs Abroad Scholarship is that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so you can find out if you’ve gotten the scholarship early in the process.

GO Scholarship

If you’re a first-year student, we encourage you to apply for the GO Scholarship. The Global Opportunity (GO) Scholar Program works with first-year students from diverse backgrounds with financial need to reduce the barriers they may face in studying abroad. The program provides support through a designated coordinator and student cohort.

GO Scholars also receive a planning scholarship to help cover the cost of an approved Education Abroad program. Applications to become a GO Scholar for the 2023–24 year are Dec 1. Visit the GO Scholarship page for more information on eligibility and the application process.

Sustainable travel scholarships

Education Abroad encourages students to follow best practices in sustainable travel, and now has new scholarships to support students in this effort! For all you Sustainable Buffs, consider the following opportunities as you plan for your time abroad:

• The Staycation Challenge: Get the chance to win a $100 CU Book Store gift card simply by staying in your host city and submitting photos via social media during the Staycation Weekend.
• Sustainable Buffs Abroad Scholarship: Students who are awarded the Sustainable Buffs Abroad Scholarship earn a $1,000 scholarship, take the sustainability pledge and develop sustainability resources that will help future students reduce their own carbon footprint while abroad.

Veteran scholarships

To support veteran students and GI Bill receipients, Education Abroad has announced the new Veteran/GI Bill Recipient Scholarship. Each term, Education Abroad will give two awards to GI Bill recipients. For semester programs, this amount is $5,000; and for summer programs, it is $3,000.

Programs that fit your budget

Visit the Education Abroad website to find affordable programs (use the program search to filter programs based on your budget), learn about financial aid, and apply for additional scholarships

Summer international internships

One of the many opportunities offered through Education Abroad is the Summer Internship Program.

Internships abroad provide you the opportunity to combine experiential learning and academic theory as a means to gain professional experience and develop a new perspective on a career field. Experience what it's like to navigate work culture in your host country and have the chance to expand your international network all while earning academic credit.

Education Abroad offers several types of internship programs, including programs abroad as well as in Washington, D.C. Help your resume stand out with an international internship and gain a better global understanding and perspective of your field. Most deadlines to apply are Feb. 1 for summer internship programs. Want to learn more now? Join an info session at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, in C4C N215.

Interested in studying in Costa Rica or Malta? Exploring a new country with a faculty member and other CU students? Or, getting hands-on experience in your desired career field? Connect with an advisor! Located in C4C S355, drop-in hours for in-person advising are 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday, or you can schedule an advising Zoom meeting. Gain a better understanding of the opportunities available to you, or reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.

Studying abroad is an experience of a lifetime. CU Education Abroad welcomes all students to ask questions, gain insight and learn about the many opportunities offered! There is no better time to explore than during your college years, and why not earn CU credit all over the world? Go explore the places you’ve always dreamed of, with CU's help, and know that abroad is for everyone and anyone!