You can afford to study abroad.

 

…without breaking the bank! We are the lowest cost study abroad provider in the majority of our locations, and 70% of our students receive a grant or scholarship. If money is tight, be sure to check out our semester options that cost less than $10,000. And know that you aren’t sacrificing quality. Our program package includes it all: necessities (tuition, housing, airport pick-up, insurance, transcript), service (support before, during, and after), and cultural opportunities (excursions, field trips).

A program to meet your needs.

 

Whether you want to study for three weeks in Australia or study for a year in Italy, we’ve got a program for you. We offer semester, summer, January, internship, and customized programs in 22 countries and 40 program sites. Every continent but Antarctica (but you can see penguins on our programs in New Zealand or Ecuador). These programs include non-traditional locations, a huge selection of internships, and many opportunities for cultural immersion.

With you every step of the way.

 

From initially sparking your interest and helping you choose the most amazing experience to providing job advice well after you return, CIS offers you a personal touch. At CIS, all our advisors have studied or worked abroad, from our US support staff, to our university representatives based around the country, to our network of in-country site directors. We know first-hand that starting the process can seem daunting. Let us handle your questions about credit transfer, financial aid, safety, and course selection; we’ll help you find a program to meet your needs.

 

• Integrity - We operate our organization in a professional manner with a commitment to the highest standards of honesty and ethics.

 

• Commitment - We are dedicated to excellence in the work we perform and are fully engaged with the customers we serve.

 

• Citizenship - Within our field and our community we strive to increase the impact we have through participation and philanthropy; in our world we lessen the impact our organization and business practices have on the environment.

 

• Innovation -  We are a company that is progressive, proactive, and dynamic.  We are continually looking for new ways to do our core business better and for new opportunities that relate to our vision and mission.

 

• Knowledge - We continuously accumulate new information about the programs we operate and provide professional development opportunities to our staff.  All learning in our organization is transparently shared with our customers.

 

• Responsiveness - To all of our customers, we will provide prompt, reliable service in a personalized manner.

 

• Collaboration - Within our company we work as a team to meet our mission; furthermore, to best serve our customers and to the betterment of our industry, we search for opportunities to work with colleagues in our field.

 

 
The mission of CIS is to provide innovative education programs that broaden academic perspectives, promote global awareness, and encourage personal development while laying the foundation for participants to become engaged world citizens.

Our Staff

 

At CIS, we feel that our strongest asset is our staff. From the moment you first hear from us be it through a phone call, email or personal visit, you will find someone that truly cares about helping you to find the best study abroad program to fit your needs.

 

 

Executive Management

Jeff Palm

Founder and Executive Director
jpalm(at)cisabroad.com

 

Jeff holds a BA degree in Biology from the College of Saint Scholastica (MN) and an MA in Management from Hawaii Pacific University.  Jeff's international experiences include working in Europe, Asia and Africa during his tenure as Associate Director of International Admissions at Hawaii Pacific University, international program development in Europe and Australasia, and in business and "pleasure" travel to more than 30 countries.  As the Director, Jeff is primarily responsible for managing the strategic direction of the company as well as in developing and maintaining the relationships with CIS's overseas educational partners. Outside of the office, Jeff keeps busy hiking, snowshoeing, playing basketball, surfing (only in warm water) and spending as much time as he can with his wife, sons and dog.

 

 

 

Kris Holloway

Director of University Relations and Marketing
kholloway(at)cisabroad.com

Kris is the author of a travel narrative, Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali, based on her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, West Africa. As Kris will tell you, "my study abroad experience in France during undergrad and my time in the Peace Corps formed the way I think about the world and the people in it. I am so excited to connect students with the overseas education that can change their lives." Kris holds a MPH in administration and education from the University of Michigan and has used her unique background in writing, public health, and strategic planning to further the mission of numerous non-profits and educational institutions including Planned Parenthood, the National Priorities Project, the University of Michigan, Springfield College, and the Greenbelt Movement International. She is a confirmed Francophile, a devoted (if slow) runner, loves chocolate, and sits on a physio ball while at her computer. She lives in Northampton, MA with her husband, two sons, and their giant black poodle. 

 

 

Amelia Heddens

Director of Operations
aheddens(at)cisabroad.com

Amelia is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a BS in Family and Consumer Studies and a minor in Spanish.  Amelia's international experience includes an academic semester abroad in Oviedo, Spain as an undergrad, backpacking through Western Europe, and as the former Associate Director of The Forum on Education Abroad.  In her current role at CIS as the Director of Operations, Amelia overseas both the admissions and student advising teams and is the Human Resource Manager.

Amelia enjoys spending time with her husband, 1 year old son and black lab, Gus at their home in the hills of Conway.

 

 

Scott Tayloe

Director - Customized Programs
stayloe(at)cisabroad.com

Scott is a twice-graduate of Jacksonville University with a BS in Aeronautics and an MBA. During his undergraduate college career, Scott studied and volunteered abroad in Australia, Costa Rica, France, Portugal and the Philippines. Scott received his pilots license at the age of 17, backpacked Europe at 18 and has since visited 6 continents - with the hopes of visiting Antarctica soon. He is originally from St. Louis, Missouri but has lived in Jacksonville, Florida for the past 10 years.

Scott enjoys playing on the beach with his dogs or planning his next trip abroad. In his current role at CIS, Scott is the Director of Customized Programs helping faculty and advisors plan their own trips to incredible destinations.

 

 

Program Development and Admissions Team

 

Ethan Ring

Programs Manager
ering(at)cisabroad.com

Ethan holds a Masters degree in International Education at the School for International Training. Previously he developed and coordinated Outdoor Education programs at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka , Alaska . Having grown up in both Ghana and the US, Ethan has a passion for international and intercultural experiences.  Ethan enjoys hiking, camping and kayaking.  He is an avid knitter, and on weekends can be found hanging out with his wife and two young daughters. Ethan's primary responsibilities are admissions, student advising, course selection, and logistics.

 

 

Joe Debiec

Programs Manager

jdebiec(at)cisabroad.com

Joe Debiec received a BA in Anthropology from Vassar College and an MA in International Education from the School for International Training. While growing up Joe was always on the move, but stayed close to home in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate NY. His international adventures began in East Africa during his junior year of college, and since then he has spent the majority of this time abroad. Joe has studied, lived and worked in Japan, Thailand, Senegal, Oman, Kenya and Vietnam. These days many of Joe’s adventures take place close to his home, in Northampton, MA. Among Joe’s favorite activities are eating sushi, drinking micro-roasted coffee, scuba-diving, relaxing in hot spring bath houses, exploring places for the first time, bicycling, snowshoeing and snowboarding.

 

 

Eliza Camire

Program Advisor for Australia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, and USA-Hawaii.

ecamire(at)cisabroad.com

Eliza has her BA in English Literature and Writing from Saint Michaels College (VT) and is a Masters Candidate in International Education at the School for International Training. Her first trip abroad was to South Africa her junior year of college. While in South Africa, she volunteered at a local township, helping with arts & crafts in a primary school. Since then, Eliza has also traveled to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, England, Spain, Mexico, Panama, and most recently, Dominica. Along with traveling, Eliza also enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with her husband and two cats.  

 

 

Amanda Bernhard

Program Advisor for Czech Republic, England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland.
abernhard(at)cisabroad.com

 

Amanda Bernhard attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics. Before going to college she worked on a horse farm in Adare, Ireland for three months, and then later studied in Cork, Ireland for a semester in her Junior year at UMass. She loves language and speaks conversational Spanish and Irish Gaelic but wants to be fluent in as many languages as possible! At CIS Amanda assists both the Marketing and Programs departments with tasks ranging from tracking applications, sending out transcripts, developing promotional materials and visiting college study abroad fairs. Amanda loves hiking, biking, practicing yoga, playing the fiddle and uilleann pipes, riding her horse and spending time with her husband. 

 

 

Kate Masuch

Admissions and Customized Program Manager
kmasuch(at)cisabroad.com

 

Katherine is a graduate of Goucher College with her BA in Communications and Media Studies. During her undergraduate career she studied for a year in Copenhagen, Denmark. She has traveled to England, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria, China, and South Africa. Originally from Long Island, New York she enjoys filling the pages of her passport, yoga, running, beaches and pineapples. 

 

 

Dennis Gemme

Student Accounts Coordinator
dgemme(at)cisabroad.com

 

Dennis is our Student Accounts Coordinator and Bookkeeper. Dennis, a native New Englander, has been in the accounting and bookkeeping profession for over 20 years in a variety of businesses, ranging from retail and manufacturing to law firms and non-profits. In addition to his work at CIS, Dennis is the Fiscal Coordinator and Grants Administrator for the Center for New Americans, a local, community-based non-profit designed to provide educational and support services to immigrants, refugees, and other limited English speakers in Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley. 

Student Advising Team

 

Kristin Vaccaro

Lead Student Advisor
kvaccaro(at)cisabroad.com

 

Kristin is a graduate of Springfield College with a BA in History/Secondary Education. During her sophomore year she found a flyer for CIS Ireland and the Irish studies and spent 2 weeks traveling the East Coast of Ireland and learning about the culture. She then decided to study in York, England for a semester. It was there that she decided to get into the Education abroad field. Hobbies: Lacrosse, working out, trying new recipes, baking, cooking, traveling, spending time with friend and family.  

 

 

Marketing and University Relations Team 

 

 

Julie Lohr

Senior Regional Manager
jlohr(at)cisabroad.com

Julie holds a BA in History from Appalachian State University and an MA in Chinese Languages and Literature from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. During her academic career, Julie spent two years teaching English and learning Chinese in northeastern China, and one year studying Chinese in Taiwan. Living in China and Taiwan helped her understand the importance of viewing the world and the people therein as part of a global community. Julie enjoys her novice attempts at gardening, knitting, and yoga, as well as walking about and drinking coffee.

As the Senior Coordinator of Institutional Relations here at CIS, Julie is responsible for the Alumni Program, campus marketing & recruitment, and student & campus relations.  

 

 

Keith Born

Regional Manager
Midwest: IA, IL, MI, MN, MO, WI (NAFSA Region IV & V)

With majors in Spanish and International Studies, Keith graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  While at the UW he studied abroad for a semester in Seville, Spain, worked as a Spanish tutor and played an active role in promoting study abroad on campus.  Keith's overseas experiences include traveling to various Caribbean and Hawaiian islands, and since his stint living in Oaxaca, Mexico he has also visited Argentina, Chile, Peru and Ecuador.  Keith visits schools in the Midwest and makes his home in Chicago, where he's able to properly exercise his beach-bumming and biking hobbies, for part of the year at least.

 

 

Laura Brinkman

University Relations Representative
Southwest: AR, KS, LA , OK, TX (NAFSA Region II & III)

Laura holds a bachelors degree in International Studies from the University of Oklahoma, and is currently living in Dallas, Texas. Her love for travel began in high school, when she traveled throughout Europe as part of a student ambassador program. In her junior year of college she studied for a semester in Rome, Italy. During this time she traveled throughout several countries in Europe, falling in love with each new city she explored. She enjoys reading and writing, spending time with family and friends, and dreaming about traveling anywhere and everywhere. She is thrilled to be given the opportunity to encourage and connect students to opportunities to see and explore the world through education abroad.

 

 

Karen Eisenhut

University Relations Representative
West Coast: AK, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA
(NAFSA Region I & XII)

Karen is a graduate from Whittier College with a BA in Sociology and Education. As an undergrad she spent a semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark and traveled back two other times to complete research for her senior project on the Danish educational system. Additionally, she has backpacked around Western Europe and visits Mexico frequently. Originally from New Jersey, she has made the west coast her new home living in California and now Oregon. Karen enjoys running, going to the beach, snowboarding, traveling, quality time with family and friends and whole-hearted attempts at cooking.

 

 

Kate Godwin

University Relations Representative
Southeast: AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN (NAFSA Region VII)

Kate holds a BA in Spanish & Latin American and Caribbean Studies from the University of Georgia, and a MS in International Affairs from Georgia Tech.  She studied abroad in Cadiz, Spain & Niteroi, Brazil.  Prior to joining CIS, Kate worked at Georgia State University's Study Abroad Programs.  Kate enjoys coffee, attempting to cook, bargain shopping, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and living in Atlanta.

 

 

Tammen Nicholson

University Relations Manager
Mid-Atlantic: DC, DE, MD, NY, NJ, VA
(NAFSA Region VIII & X)
 
Tammen has a bachelor’s degree from Springfield College in Sport Management. During his sophomore year of college, he studied abroad at Bond University on Australia’s Gold Coast. From there he became hooked on international study and travel. The following year he backpacked through Central and Eastern Europe before spending a semester in York, England. After experiencing the varied cultures of the two continents he became extremely intrigued by international development. A sports fanatic, Tammen loves anything to do with organized, recreational, (and especially) non-profit sports. He tries to spend as much of his time as he can outdoors and is always up for a game of Frisbee.

 

 

Kelly O’Connell

University Relations Representative
Northeast: CT, MA, NH, RI, VT
(NAFSA Region XI)

Kelly graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Education. Her love of traveling began during her semester studying in Perugia, Italy in the Fall of 2008. She loves learning about different cultures and her life-long goal is to visit as many countries as possible! In her free time she enjoys reading, dancing (especially Zumba), and spending time with her family and friends.

 

 

 

Luke Odom

University Relations Representative
Mountain States: AZ, CO, MT, ND, NE, NM, SD, UT, WY
(NAFSA Region II & III)

Luke holds a B.A. in Classics from Wabash College in Indiana.  During his undergraduate career he studied abroad in Athens, Greece and did a post graduate trip to Australia.  He then did an AmeriCorps service year in St. Louis, Missouri working with Boys Hope Girls Hope and other at-risk youth. Aside from traveling, Luke enjoys exercising, the outdoors and chasing the sun.

 

 

Nick Vasiloff

University Relations Representative
Eastern Midwest: IN, OH, KY, PA, WV
(NAFSA Region VI & VIII)

Nick is a graduate from the University of Evansville with a BA in Spanish/International Studies. During his undergraduate years he spent a semester in England, a summer in Guadalajara, Mexico, and another summer in the Yucatan Peninsula. As a second-generation Greek-American, he has lived in northern Greece and had the opportunity to travel through Europe, including France, Spain, Germany and Macedonia. He currently calls Columbus, Ohio home, and enjosy studying foreign languages, watching soccer, dancing, eating baklava, and spending time with his big fat Greek family.

 

 

 

Tracy Minard

University Relations Intern

Tracy is a graduate of Keene State College with a BA in English and Writing.  During her time as an undergrad she spent a semester in Florence, Italy but also went on many solo trips whenever there was time.  She has traveled throughout Western Europe, to Iceland, Nicaragua, Thailand and Guatemala.  In her spare time she enjoys hiking the "mountains" of southern New Hampshire and dreaming about the real thing back up in her original home of Alaska.