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The WorldStrides
Difference
Our First Year Abroad (FYA) programs offer your
students a specialized academic experience at one of our top
international destinations with 24/7 on-site support.
Our portfolio of study abroad programs is customizable to meet your university’s
strategic recruitment and retention goals, while providing first year students with the opportunity to connect with their cohort
and the world around them.
Meet Your Institutional Goals
Leverage WorldStrides' resources and expertise to help your institution grow in a non-traditional way by providing First Year Abroad programs for incoming or deferred first-year students. The FYA program not only provides your students with a tailored first-year program, but it also prepares them to return to campus as an experienced student with clear academic goals.
Recruitment
First Year international programs are a great way to boost your diversity initiatives by bringing in new cohorts of students who are interested in understanding the world around them.
Enrollment
Boost your overall enrollment numbers and meet your first-year enrollment goals. By utilizing facilities and resources abroad, FYA programs allow you to enroll more students.
Retention
Reduce enrollment melt. Student cohorts who develop a strong connection to their peers and develop a diverse worldview are more likely to thrive when they return home.
Academic Focus
Our study abroad programs can be tailored to align with specific colleges or majors, ensuring that your first year students return to campus ready to progress with their chosen degree plans. The courses associated with each subject area are a sample of what's available.
Program Spotlight: Universidad de Málaga
This is just one of our programs that can be customized to meet your university's needs when it comes to building your first year study abroad program.
Location: Málaga, Spain
University highlights:
- Guaranteed placement in select courses available only to our students
- Courses available for all levels of Spanish language
- First-year courses available in English
Why we love it:
- Walkable city with great public transportation, perfect for first-time travelers
- More than 40 museums to explore, including Museo Picasso and the only Museo Pompidou outside of Paris, France
- Located in El Palo neighborhood, just five minutes from the beach
Want to learn more?
Connect with our Campus Partnerships team!
Program Design Elements
These first-year study abroad programs are designed to provide the same benefits as an on-campus student experience, including co-curricular activities, mentoring, and cohort development. Plus, they are completely customizable. Universities can pick and choose the program design elements that best fit their needs. Here are just a few options available on all of our FYA programs to choose from:
Bridging Cultures Orientation
Upon arrival, all students will receive practical tips, culture-related content, and country-specific information to prepare them to make the most of their time abroad.
Weekly Cultural Activities
Cultural activities usually include tours of the city, cooking classes, dance classes, weekend or overnight excursions to another part of the country, and more.
Academic Support
Students have access to academic support at their host institution, as well as guidance and personalized support from our on-site staff.
Academic and Career Development
Students have access to the Professional Development Toolbox resource and can opt into the Global Professional micro-credential.
Student Support
On-site staff provide 24/7 support to students while abroad. Staff will assist in scheduling appointments, accompanying the student on a doctor’s visit if needed, and aid them in any other way
Peer Mentor Program
Students will discover more about their host country and life as a college student by pairing up with a local student over the course of the semester.
What’s Included
Our holistic approach means first year students will have access to the same support all our students enjoy, including one-of-a-kind support before departure, on the ground while they are abroad, and when they return home
Administrative Fee
An administrative fee is included in the total price of the EuroScholars program, which covers costs related to marketing, recruitment, and application advising/support.
Mid-Stay Program
During the semester, a “Mid-Stay Program” will be organized for all EuroScholars students at one of the host institutions. Travel and lodging expenses for students traveling to attend the Mid-Stay program are covered. The Mid-Stay program will consist of an academic portion, in which students will present on their research findings up to that point of the semester, as well as social activities around the host city.
International Medical Insurance
A Blanket Accident and Sickness Policy is included in the price and covers the program participant while abroad for the official on-site period of program. This is not an optional benefit; every ISA participant will be covered by this policy. Coverage can be extended before or after a program, up to four weeks total. Students can extend their policy for $25 per week by contacting their Program Manager.
We recommend that all program participants maintain comprehensive health insurance while abroad. This is particularly important if you have any pre-existing conditions, but is also beneficial if you have an injury or illness while abroad and require further treatment upon your return home. Consult with your current insurance provider to confirm coverage policies while traveling abroad.
For more medical insurance information visit the ISA page.
from the Host University
Official Transcript
from the Host University
Upon completion of the program, the student's host university will issue an official transcript with all coursework taken abroad. ISA's Academic Records Department will process and forward the official transcript to the appropriate office at the student's home university, and a photocopy will be sent to the student's permanent home address for their records. Additionally, ISA will provide a cover letter to accompany the transcript with important academic information, including: the host university's grading system and recommended U.S. letter grade equivalencies, translated course titles, and credit conversion recommendations.
at the
Host University
Tuition at the Host University
Tuition and administrative fees at the host university are included in the program price. All students will obtain 24-30 ECTS credits through the program.
Housing
Housing is included in the price of the FYA program. You will be housed in student accommodations on-campus. The setup of the accommodations will vary among the participating host universities.