Study Abroad
Where Learning Meets Adventure
As a CIU student, you have the opportunity to engage in diverse study abroad programs that will broaden your academic and personal experiences. These immersive opportunities not only allow you to build meaningful relationships across cultures, but also to develop a global perspective. Most importantly, studying abroad equips you to grow in your faith and to serve Christ more effectively in an increasingly complex, interconnected world.
Why Study Abroad?
Global Learning for Lifelong Impact
Studying abroad in college offers a unique and transformative opportunity to broaden your worldview, develop key life skills and enhance your career prospects in meaningful ways. Immersing yourself in a new culture deepens your understanding of global issues, fosters adaptability, improves cross-cultural communication and enhances problem-solving skills.
Not only are these skills highly valued by employers across all industries, research shows* that nearly 90 percent of students who studied abroad reported an improvement in their communication skills, while more than 80 percent now find it easier to work in teams with diverse members.
Experience the World to Empower Your Faith
Study abroad experiences also enhance your resume by demonstrating to future employers that you are proactive and independent, as well as capable of navigating interactions with diverse people. As a Christian, studying abroad also offers you a rare chance to engage with the global Church, to deepen your faith through cross-cultural ministry, and to better understand how to live out the Gospel in a diverse world.
Ultimately, studying abroad not only prepares you academically and professionally but shapes you as a global citizen, equipped to serve both locally and globally in a rapidly changing world.
*Source: Institute of International Education (IIE) Open Doors Report, 2021
Popular Programs
Here are just a few examples of some of the most in-demand study abroad programs available to CIU students.
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Greenville University's Contemporary Music Center
Nashville, Tennessee -
L.A. Film Studies Center
Los Angeles, California -
Scholarship & Christianity Semester Programme
Oxford, England
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Scholarship & Christianity Summer Programme
Oxford, England -
Semester in Spain (through Trinity Christian College)
Seville, Spain -
Uganda Studies at Uganda Christian University
Uganda, Africa
Additional Experiences
Study Tours
Immerse yourself in a new culture and earn academic credit without committing to a full semester abroad. These faculty-led, short-term study tours are typically two weeks long and are often held in May. Through a dynamic blend of learning and exploration, you’ll gain firsthand experience of the world’s diverse cultures while advancing your studies.
Mission Trips
Experience the transformative power of serving others and share God’s love across the globe. Mission trips offer a unique opportunity to engage deeply with a new community and culture. Many majors offer course credit that is designed to prepare you for leading and organizing short-term mission projects. These trips are a powerful way to live out your faith in a practical and impactful way, while also working toward your degree.
Internships
Take your academic journey to the next level by combining professional experience with cultural immersion. Speak with your academic advisor to discover exciting internship opportunities abroad, which will allow you to gain hands-on experience while studying in an international setting. Whether in ministry, business or other fields, internships abroad provide invaluable skills for your future career.
Financial Aid
Most federal and state grants, as well as loans, can be used to support your international experience. To explore the financial resources available and help make your study abroad opportunity more affordable, we encourage you to meet with the Financial Aid Office. They’ll guide you through the options and help you plan for the costs associated with your program.
Note: CIU’s institutional financial aid does not apply to study abroad programs.
