Providing logistical and on-site emergency support to faculty leaders since 2004.
You focus on the academics; let us handle the rest.
Why CIS Abroad for Customized Study Abroad Programs?
As US universities work to internationalize their curriculum, many educators are seeking to identify programs that closely align with the needs of various departments on campus. CIS Abroad can help you to develop a custom program that allows you to control the academic content so students can fulfill meaningful coursework in their major and minor fields. Plugging into our existing program infrastructure, but making it your own, means you don’t have to build a program from scratch! The result is a quality program that’s a good fit for your students.
Sample Programs
University of Alabama
Customized Semester in London
Designed for Arts & Humanities majors, this special semester at the University of Roehampton offers curriculum-mapped, pre-approved courses for almost everyone. Sophomores through Seniors can apply and have their courses count back home. Tube passes and guidebooks are included, as well as a special trip to Edinburgh, Scotland.
Quinnipiac University
Customized Semester in Florence
Designed with the Cultural and Global Engagement Office, this program offers students a range of course offerings and intensive Italian at the historic International Studies Institute at Palazzo Rucellai. Customizations include a group flight, visas, in-person pre-departure orientations and local/overnight excursions.
Colorado School of Mines
Customized Summer in Barcelona
Designed in conjunction with the Honors College, this program offers students a faculty-directed course that carries honors credit, a Spanish class, and internship experiences over a six week summer period. Our Local Life cultural curriculum and onsite staff ensure a unique and supportive environment for students when they are not learning with their on-site faculty member.
UMass Amherst
Customized Summer in Florence
The International Programs Office at UMass Amherst and CIS Abroad collaborated to offer students a wide range of course offerings and an immersive Italian language tracks at the International Studies Institute at Palazzo Rucellai. CIS Abroad provides administration, support and engagement throughout.
What's Included
Academic Course Advising
Choosing the right courses for your customized program is a key to success. We have lots of options of available in all academic disciplines and will work with your students to ensure a good fit.
Pre-departure Orientation and Information Packet
“Where are we staying? What is the local currency? Who will be picking us up at the airport?” These are just a few of the questions often asked prior to departure. Through our online pre-departure orientation materials we’ll be sure that no question is left unanswered.
Marketing Materials
You already have plenty to do, so how can we help? Our University Relations team can make classroom presentations, develop fliers, would a branded website be helpful? You let us know!
Airport Pick-up
Because sometimes it’s just nice to know you’ll see a familiar face when you land, we can include airport pickups for that added personal touch.
Orientation
In each destination abroad, our onsite staff will lead the group through an on-site health and safety orientation so that everyone is aware of the who/what/where/why and how of the host city and university.
Onsite Support from CIS Abroad Site Director
Our site directors are our onsite experts! Between helping students adjust onsite, to tips when it comes to traveling the region, to managing risk and safety onsite, our staff will be there for you and your students.
The Local Life Cultural Program
Every participant will will have access to The Local Life cultural program, which provides cultural learning through intentional, experiential learning opportunities and engagement with peers and locals.
Excursion Options
Whether you want to add to or replace excursions included in our regular programming, we’re happy to customize to your needs and interests.
Medical and Accident Insurance
Through our partnership with CISI we are proud to offer the industry’s best. If your campus already provides comparable coverage, let us know and we can leave this out of your program cost.
Housing
We plan for the accommodations best suited to your group needs and learning outcomes. Your own housing recommendations are also welcome and we’ll do our best to accommodate your top choices, taking one more worry off your mind.
Re-entry Orientation and Support
Unpacking can be the hardest part about coming home, and we’re not talking about suitcases. Through our online reentry module and ability to join our Alumni Ambassador Program our assistance continues even after the program ends.
University Transcript
Participants who successfully complete the program will be awarded a transcript or academic record from the host institution. You can consider how credit will be transferred/awarded at your institution.
Destinations
When venturing into uncharted territory, or a new destination for your university, there is a lot of initial work involved to ensure program quality and student safety. Plugging into an existing CIS Abroad program location allows you to expand your offerings without needing additional resources. Custom program options are available in locations in which CIS Abroad currently operates semester, summer or J-term programs.
Don’t see the location you’re looking for? With program offerings in over 50 countries, perhaps designing a faculy-led program option is best for you!
Argentina
Australia
China
Costa Rica
Czech
Republic
Ecuador
England
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Hawaii
Ireland
Italy
Japan
New Zealand
Peru
Scotland
South Africa
Spain
Thailand
Faculty Feedback
“You have a robust team. We can pick up the phone and talk to you. You have great advice and expertise and we value our relationship with you.”
Mona Syed, Program Coordinator - University of Texas at Austin
Next Steps
Request a Proposal
Once you are ready to build your program, fill out a proposal questionnaire. Answer the questions to the best of your ability, and let us know if there’s an area you could use more help with.
We'll Get Back to You!
We aim to turn around your proposal within a 4 to 6 week timeframe. If we have any questions along the way we’ll reach out, if not, sit back and anxiously anticipate what we design.
After we have received your program questionnaire, we will contact you to discuss your program needs in greater detail and create a program proposal for you to review. When the proposal looks good, submit it to your institution for approval. Once approved, we will create a contract and help you to spread the word on campus.
Phase Two: Implementation
Market on campus
Students apply to the program
Pre-Departure meeting and orientation.
Take-Off!
Phase Three: Follow-Up
Re-entry debriefing
Review student evaluations
Post-program meeting for future improvements and planning
Programs include our Local Life cultural curriculum, activities facilitated by our onsite staff to help students live like a local. Examples include cooking classes, neighborhood tours, and scavenger hunts. Programs also include day trips and potentially weekend trips.
Depending on the location, shared apartments, dorms, or homestays may all be options. Let us know your goals and we can help you pick the best housing option for your program.
Most programs include a group welcome and farewell meal. Some programs include additional meals and you can tailor the amount by adding additional group meals or a meal stipend.
We offer courses and internship placements for nearly every major. Let us know what you are looking for and we can help you to select a program location that will best meet the academic needs of your students.
Designed for Arts & Humanities majors, this special semester at the University of Roehampton offers curriculum-mapped, pre-approved courses for almost everyone. Sophomores through Seniors can apply and have their courses count back home. Tube passes and guidebooks are included, as well as a special trip to Edinburgh, Scotland.
Designed with the Cultural and Global Engagement Office, this program offers students a range of course offerings and intensive Italian at the historic International Studies Institute at Palazzo Rucellai. Customizations include a group flight, visas, in-person pre-departure orientations and local/overnight excursions.
Designed in conjunction with the Honors College, this program offers students a faculty-directed course that carries honors credit, a Spanish class, and internship experiences over a six week summer period. Our Local Life cultural curriculum and onsite staff ensure a unique and supportive environment for students when they are not learning with their on-site faculty member.
The International Programs Office at UMass Amherst and CIS Abroad collaborated to offer students a wide range of course offerings and an immersive Italian language tracks at the International Studies Institute at Palazzo Rucellai. CIS Abroad provides administration, support and engagement throughout.