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9 Most Popular Summer Study Abroad Destinations

December 21, 2016

1. France

France offers everything from picturesque villages steeped in history to thriving metropolises full of fashion-forward culture. It’s no wonder it is our number one summer destination!

Check out our popular summer programs in France:

Summer Language & Culture Program - ISEP Direct

  • University: Université de Caen
  • Location: Caen, France
  • Why students love it: This is the perfect program for students looking to really improve their fluency levels over the summer. You have the opportunity to stay with a host family for added practice, and you get to explore the area on included excursions.

Summer French Intensive & Recreation Program - ISEP Direct

  • University: Université Savoie Mont Blanc
  • Location: Chambéry, France
  • Why students love it: This seven-week immersion experience in the town of Chambéry, is a gateway city to the French Alps and absolutely stunning. With pedestrian-friendly squares, a historical town center, colorful cafe terraces and breathtaking views of the mountains, this is a spectactular place to spend your summer learning French. Through intensive, specialized classroom learning and leisure activities, you will make great progress in French, gain firsthand cultural experiences and explore the delights of the Savoie region.

 

2. Spain

Explore a world of flamenco dancing, bullfights and siestas as well as Spain’s rich and diverse history.

If you are looking to improve your Spanish this summer, check out these programs:

Teach English, Learn Spanish - ISEP Direct

  • University: Universidad de Vigo
  • Location: Vigo, Spain
  • Why students love it: Vigo is one of the best places in Spain to visit during the summer. This location is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. You can hike and bike the hilly countryside, or learn how to surf at nearby beaches. Students will improve their Spanish through a combination of classroom instruction and workshops that teach different aspects of Spanish and Galician culture. Included in the tuition price is a foreign language instruction internship and an excursion to Cíes Islands Natural Park and beaches.

Language and Culture Program - ISEP Direct

Lighthouse at night in Almeria, Spain
Lighthouse at night in Almeria, Spain
  • University: Universidad de Almería
  • Location: Almería, Spain
  • Why students love it: The Almería province, which receives the most sunshine and least rainfall in all of Europe, has beautiful beaches, natural parks and an array of interesting villages to visit. Students can improve their Spanish through a combination of classroom instruction and excursions throughout southern Spain that include trips to the Alhambra in Granada, Cabo de Gata Natural Park, and historic and cultural landmarks throughout Almería. In addition to daily classes, these trips count toward students’ total credit hours.

Intensive Language Bridge Program - ISEP Direct

  • University: Universidad Pública de Navarra
  • Location: Pamplona, Spain
  • Why students love it: Internationally, Pamplona is best known for its festival of San Fermin and el Encierro, running of the bulls, which take place in July of each year. Apart from this festival, Pamplona is a stunning Spanish town, easily accessible by foot. Navarra is characterized by three distinct climatological zones, with stunning views and outdoor acitivites. This summer program offers a 75-hour course aimed at helping students wishing to improve their Spanish linguistic skills.

3. The United Kingdom

Study the historic impact of a land whose law and government structures have influenced many societes. Our summer programs are taught in English, and offer options in London, England and in several locations in Northern Ireland.

If you are looking to explore the U.K this summer, check out these options:

Humanities and Business Program in London- ISEP Direct

  • University: University of Roehampton
  • Location: London, England, United Kingdom
  • Why students love it: Using London as a classroom, the University of Roehampton offers you a variety of humanities and business classes. The parkland campus is six miles from London’s theater district, where you have easy access to London’s museums, libraries, galleries and nightlife.

Irish Studies Program - ISEP Direct

  • University: Ulster University
  • Location: Londonderry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
  • Why students love it: Adjacent to the Causeway Coast and the Donegal and Sperrin Mountains, Ulster University is in one of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of Western Europe. This program provides a specialist knowledge of Irish studies across drama, film, history and literature.

4. Japan

Experience a pop-culture and tech explosion.

Nanzan Summer Japanese Program - ISEP Direct

  • University: Nanzan University
  • Location: Nagoya, Japan
  • Why students love it: Experience cultural immersion in Nagoya, one of Japan’s largest cities. This intermediate to advanced language program lets you take classes in cultural studies, traditional arts, politics and economics. Take advantage of excursions to historical places, including Nagoya Castle, Tsumago-juku and the Grand Sumo Tournament. Nanzan is located in Nagoya, one of Japan’s largest cities, offering students endless opportunities for cultural immersion.

5. Italy

Enjoy top-notch gelato or espresso in a nation at the forefront of business, fashion and design.

Check out our unique summer programs in Italy:

Study In Milan, Italy - ISEP Direct

  • University: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
  • Location: Milan, Italy
  • Why students love it: Study in one of the world’s biggest business and fashion capitals, while exploring the city’s wealth of monuments, palaces, churches and museums. Choose from a variety of topics including business, communications, Italian language and culture, agribusiness and food science. You will be able to choose from different fields of study and combine them to create either a four-week program or a six-week program.

Summer Arts Program in Italy - ISEP Direct

  • University: Accademia dell'Arte
  • Location: Arezzo, Italy
  • Why students love it: Experience the wonders of Tuscany during this unique summer program that combines performing arts with liberal arts for an intense artisitic experience. Embark on excursions tht will explore local history and culture.

6. Germany

From the northern seacoast to the Bavarian Alps, discover hip cities, quaint towns and beautiful landscapes.

Explore our top summer study abroad programs in Germany:

Business, Politics, and Conflicts in a Changing World - ISEP Direct

  • University: Philipps-Universität Marburg
  • Location: Marburg, Germany
  • Why students love it: The university town of Marburg spreads along the valley of the river Lahn and is just as famous for its beautiful surroundings as its impressive alumni, the Brothers Grimm. This summer program combines courses taught in either English or German in political science, economics, business, accounting, peace and conflict studies, Middle Eastern studies and German studies, with German language study available at all levels.

Study International Business and Economics in Germany - ISEP Direct

  • University: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
  • Location: Hannover, Germany
  • Why students love it: Live in the green metropolis of Germany and travel via the country’s excellent public transport system all while taking German language courses. Gain practical experience in the center of Europe’s economic powerhouse, Germany! Enroll in economics, business and German language classes and take advantage of field trips to surrounding German companies or optional excursions.

7. South Korea

Check out of some of our top summer programs in South Korea:

East Asian Studies & Business Internship Program - ISEP Exchange

  • University: Yonsei University
  • Location: Seoul, South Korea
  • Exchange space: Limited
  • Why students love it: At Yonsei University, you can experience Korean culture through a variety of lessons including K-Pop singing, taekwondo, ceramics, Korean cooking and more. Choose from a wide variety of courses and activities that will introduce Korea’s history and culture. Students studying business can apply to haev direct exposure to global business ventures in the heart of Seoul through the Yonsei International Summer Internship Program. The Yonsei international summer internship program is a six-week, 20 hour per week internship program with over a dozen business partners in Seoul.

8. Finland

You won’t be disappointed by choosing a summer abroad in Finland

Human Sciences Program - ISEP Exchange

  • University: University of Jyväskylä
  • Location: Jyväskylä, Finland
  • Exchange space: Very good
  • Why students love it: Located in the Blue Lake district, Jyväskylä is a lively city in a beautiful setting of lakes, ridges and forests. Experience festivals and outdoor activities while taking classes through the Jyväskylä Summer School.
  • Dates: May 22, 2017 - June 16, 2017
  • Cost: Your home university tuition, three excursions included
  • Additional required costs: Dormitory housing and meal plan included in your home university tuition fee
  • Language of instruction: English
  • Application deadline: February 15, 2017

9. New Zealand

Check out our popular summer programs in New Zealand:

National Expedition and Internship: Creative Expression and Digital Media - ISEP Direct

  • University: Massey University
  • Location: Wellington, New Zealand
  • Why students love it: This summer program starts off with a tour of New Zealand focusing on the physical and human geography that shapes New Zealand’s traditions of creative expression. You’ll study some of New Zealand’s best examples of creative work, and produce your own original work in your preferred media and genres, all working alongside Massey’s faculty. You’ll meet practitioners, attend screenings, rehearsals and performances throughout your program.

National Expedition and Internship: Disaster Risk and Emergency Management - ISEP Direct

  • University: Massey University
  • Location: Wellington, New Zealand
  • Why students love it: Your expedition will begin in Christchurch, and you will travel through the spectacular scenery of both the North and South Islands. You will debate the pros and cons of the world’s responses to significant hazards and emergencies and work with local experts and community groups to understand the context, consequences and management of risks. Your case studies will involve stops in the scenic Bay of Islands and Northland to see the relatively unique approach to community-based emergency management being taken there, the thriving cosmopolitan city of Auckland with its complex risk, economic and social environment, the varied riskscape of the Tongariro geothermal zone, and the disaster risk, resilience and recovery of Christchurch and the Canterbury region.

Your four-week internship begins in Wellington where the support services and facilities of Massey’s Wellington campus will be available to students based in the city. Students undertaking internships elsewhere will have full access to online support and academic supervisors throughout their placements. The internship hosts serve as the backbone of the New Zealand government’s response to dealing with large-scale emergencies. These include organizations and ministries such as the New Zealand Fire Service, Defense Force, Police, Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Health and the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office.

National Expedition and Internship: Communication and Marketing - ISEP Direct

  • University: Massey University
  • Location: Wellington, New Zealand
  • Why students love it: The program starts with a two-week expedition of the North and South Islands led by Massey staff, exploring how successfully the brands and images of the tourism industry capture the attention of people new to the country and culture. You will discover New Zealand’s adventure capital, alpine towns and glaciers, historic settlements and the country’s geothermal playground. Stops along the trek from Auckland to Queenstown will involve case studies looking at the identity of the organizations and brands you encounter, assessing the company’s image and identifying how effectively they appear to communicate what they offer.

Interns will be placed at a range of organizations across Wellington, a capital city renowned for its arts and culture. The placements will have a community service or social justice focus which will contrast with the tourism-oriented businesses analyzed during the national expedition.

National Expedition and Internship: Agriculture and Environment - ISEP Direct

  • University: Massey University
  • Location: Wellington, New Zealand
  • Why students love it: The program starts with a two-week expedition of the North and South Islands led by Massey staff. Experience New Zealand’s dynamic geographic and cultural terrain, visiting some of the country’s most popular destinations including glaciers, volcanoes and geothermal zones. Through field visits and in-depth sessions with local experts, you will gain an understanding of the intricate relationship between agricultural and environmental issues in New Zealand and how these issues shape the everyday lives of Kiwis and the country as a whole. Case studies will examine the wool, wine and dairy industries.

Four-week internships within government agencies, agribusinesses, non-profit environmental organizations, wildlife sanctuaries and wineries are all possible. Massey will match your skills and experiences with the range of opportunities available in the Hawke’s Bay region.

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