The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject.(January 2011) |
Study abroad organizations, also referred to as study abroad providers, and third-party study abroad providers are independent organizations that facilitate or administer study abroad programs. Providers of study abroad vary enormously in terms of organizational structure, program model and type, and services offered to the participants.
Given the tremendous growth in the number of U.S. students studying abroad over the last two decades, the study abroad industry has become more crowded and competitive in recent years. The study abroad business has traditionally been a cottage industry with a hodgepodge of domestic and foreign universities, for-profit and non-profit independent organizations providing thousands of programs in more than 100 countries. Some, like the Danish Institute for Study Abroad, offer their own programs, with their own courses and curricular expectations. Others, like the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) and The College of Global Studies at Arcadia University, offer some of their own programs, but also are known for acting as intermediaries—offering student services, plus a quality control stamp, for those students enrolling in foreign universities who want more of a cushion than what's available when they directly enroll through international student offices abroad. [1]
According to the Institute of International Education, the majority of U.S. college students studying abroad, about 72 percent, participate on programs sponsored by their home institution. However, at least 28 percent of the approximately 260,000 Americans who studied abroad in academic year 2008/09 study through an outside program. [2]
Outside providers like IES and The College of Global Studies at Arcadia University act as intermediaries by assisting program participants with logistics like course registration and housing arrangements. While models differ, academic and social guidance is generally included throughout the duration of a program, such as orientation, support services, field trips and cultural activities. Additionally, providers are typically able to provide transcripts that ease credit transfer for students who enroll in their programs based at universities abroad – offer all these extra services, of course, at an extra cost. Independent providers, like Help Me Abroad, offer solutions to adapt to international students’ requests. They act as intermediaries and allow a wider choice for students who can pick the state, university and program to attend instead of applying to premade programs.
At many campuses, study abroad programs are run by multiple companies and non-profit institutes that offer colleges generous incentives to increase enrollments. An influential article that appeared in The New York Times in 2007 highlighted that this can include free and subsidized travel overseas for officials, back-office services to defray operating expenses, stipends to market the programs to students, unpaid membership on advisory councils and boards, and even cash bonuses and commissions on student-paid fees. This money generally goes directly to colleges, not always to the students who take the trips. [3]
Critics say that these and similar arrangements, which are seldom disclosed, typically limit student options and drive up prices for gaining international credentials compared with the most economical alternative — enrolling directly in a foreign university, paying generally lower tuition to that institution and having the credits transferred. Some campuses require students to use one of several affiliated providers, but some even have exclusive arrangements with study abroad agents, further limiting options. [4]
A community college is a type of undergraduate higher education institution, generally leading to an associate degree, certificate, or diploma. The term can have different meanings in different countries: many community colleges have an open enrollment policy for students who have graduated from high school, also known as senior secondary school or upper secondary school. The term usually refers to a higher educational institution that provides workforce education and college transfer academic programs. Some institutions maintain athletic teams and dormitories similar to their university counterparts.
A Master of Business Administration is a professional postgraduate degree focused on business administration. The core courses in an MBA program cover various areas of business administration; elective courses may allow further study in a particular area but an MBA is normally intended to be a general program. It originated in the United States in the early 20th century when the country industrialized and companies sought scientific management.
Pitzer College is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California. It was founded in 1963 and is part of the Claremont Colleges. The college has a curricular emphasis on the social sciences, behavioral sciences, international programs, and media studies. Pitzer is known for its social justice culture and experimental pedagogical approach.
The Open University of Israel is a distance-education university in Israel. It is one of ten public universities in Israel recognized by the Council of Higher Education (CHE). The Open University does not require a matriculation certificate, psychometric exam, or other entrance exam for admission to undergraduate studies.
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies is a private research university based in Seoul, in South Korea. The university currently teaches 45 foreign languages. In addition, it contains studies in humanities, law, political science, social sciences, business, medical science, natural sciences, and engineering.
A student exchange program is a program in which students from a secondary school or higher education study abroad at one of their institution's partner institutions. A student exchange program may involve international travel, but does not necessarily require the student to study outside their home country.
Private universities and private colleges are higher education institutions not operated, owned, or institutionally funded by governments. However, they often receive tax breaks, public student loans, and government grants. Depending on the country, private universities may be subject to government regulations. Private universities may be contrasted with public universities and national universities which are either operated, owned and or institutionally funded by governments. Additionally, many private universities operate as nonprofit organizations.
Some students from the United States pursue educational opportunities outside the United States. This can include primary, secondary and post-secondary students.
In the United States, higher education is an optional stage of formal learning following secondary education. It is also referred to as post-secondary education, third-stage, third-level, or tertiary education. It covers stages 5 to 8 on the International ISCED 2011 scale. It is delivered at 3,931 Title IV degree-granting institutions, known as colleges or universities. These may be public or private universities, research universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, or for-profit colleges. U.S. higher education is loosely regulated by the government and by several third-party organizations.
The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) was a private university located in the Darulaman section of Kabul. Former students of AUAF live abroad and, as of 2022, there were plans to create a new AUAF campus in Qatar. AUAF was the country's first private, not-for-profit institution of higher education and was located in Kabul near the Darul Aman Palace and the Afghan Parliament.
The Turkish National Police Academy is a public institution of higher education in Ankara, Turkey dedicated to the training of police officers. It was founded in 1937 and has offered a four-year undergraduate program since 1984.
The Institute of International Education (IIE) is an American 501(c) non-profit organization that focuses on international student exchange and aid, foreign affairs, and international peace and security. IIE creates programs of study and training for students, educators, and professionals from various sectors. The organization says its mission is to "build more peaceful and equitable societies by advancing scholarship, building economies, and promoting access to opportunity".
The Florida State University College of Social Work, is the social work college of the Florida State University. The College is the oldest in the state of Florida and was the first in the world to offer a Master of Social Work through an accredited online program. More than 1,100 students are enrolled, including undergraduates and graduate students, including Master of Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy students. The BSW and MSW programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Fairfax University of America is a private university in Fairfax, Virginia. It was established in 1998, and then as a non-profit 501(c)(3) university in 1999. The university is certified to operate in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and was formerly accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). However, in 2022 the United States Secretary of Education denied ACICS's accrediting status.
Higher education accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of post-secondary educational institutions or programs are evaluated to determine if applicable standards are met. If standards are met, accredited status is granted by the agency.
The Forum on Education Abroad is a 501(c)(3) non-profit association recognized by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission as the Standards Development Organization for the field of education abroad. It is located on the campus of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2001, the Forum now boasts over 800 institutional members that collectively represent 90% of U.S. students that study abroad. Members are primarily U.S. colleges and universities, program provider organizations, overseas host institutions and programs and affiliates that provide services to the field.
The School for International Training, widely known by its initials SIT, is a private non-profit regionally-accredited institution headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, United States. The institution has two main divisions. SIT Graduate Institute administers a wide range of internationally-focused master's degree programs as well as a Doctor of Education degree in Global Education. SIT Study Abroad administers undergraduate study abroad programs which combine field-based experiential learning with academic research or internship opportunities.
The Classic Private University is a university in Ukraine. It was founded as Zaporizhzhia Institute of State and Municipal Administration (ZIDMU) in 1992. In November 2007, it changed its name from the "Humanitarian University "ZIDMU" to the "Classical Private University". The university has 6 institutes, a college. It offers postgraduate and doctoral programs in 11 specialties. There are five specialized academic councils for doctoral defense.
IAU is an American institution for higher learning situated in southern France. Its main campus is located in Aix-en-Provence, France, and it operates satellite programs in Spain, Morocco, and the United Kingdom. Established in 1957, IAU was known to be among the earliest American-style, English language, liberal arts educational institutions in Western Europe. The institute holds a charter from the Regents of the State University of New York and is recognized by both the Rectorat of Aix-Marseille University and the French Ministry of Education as a private higher education institution. IAU is known for a large presence of study abroad programs in Europe and for an option to offer study abroad options beyond French language studies. In 2015, IAU introduced master's and bachelor's degree programs through its sister institution, the American College of the Mediterranean (ACM).