Customized Programs and Study Tours
WELCOME TO SAF
For two decades, SAF has changed lives by introducing promising young minds to the best international programming available. As a U.S. not-for-profit, we have established an exceptional network of the world’s most preeminent educational institutions, with over 30 academic centers in all corners of the globe, from Rome to Cape Town, Nagoya to the Galapagos Islands.
Our mission is to transform today’s top students into the next generation of global leadership, through opportunity and immersive overseas experiences that equip them for the challenges of tomorrow.
Study abroad CHANGES LIVES. And changed lives CHANGE THE WORLD.
As a former study abroad student myself, I firmly believe in the power of international education, and its ability to help individuals reach their full potential to become the global leaders of tomorrow. We provide that opportunity, bridging scholars from around the world with a prestigious network of university members spanning the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Asia.
Discover what possibilities our long-standing partnerships could present you with, by exploring our global opportunities.
Dr. Gregory D. Hess President & CEO
SHAPED IN SCHOLARLY TRADITION
Created over 20 years ago in the scholarly traditions of our preeminent university partners, SAF mentors students seeking the most professional, personalized, and prestigious study abroad opportunities in the world.
STUDYING WITH SAF
We partner with universities around the world to secure study abroad opportunities during semester, year-long, and vacation sessions. This means you have the opportunity to study overseas with flexible entry dates year-round, secure credit at your home university, and remain on-track to graduate on time. Using our programs, you can truly tailor your degree studies to suit your specific international career goals, enhance your employability and graduate admission opportunities.
SAF facilitates student mobility between our invitation-only university membership network. We provide you with access to the best universities across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Asia.
The Study Abroad Foundation ® (SAF) is a part of IES Global, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Chicago in the United States. SAF operates offices in China, Japan, and Korea. IES Global educates students to become global leaders through premier study abroad and internship programs, which offer students worldwide experiential learning opportunities that set the highest standards of academic quality.
OFFER A GLOBAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE
At SAF, we know your university aims to deliver global opportunities in priority fields to ensure your students are future-ready. A customized academic study tour program offers you the unlimited flexibility to develop a unique overseas experience for your student cohort. Programs can be as short as two weeks or as long as a full semester. Location, learning outcomes, excursions, teaching faculty, housing and activities can be adjusted to suit your university’s goals.
COMPLETE COORDINATION OF EVERY LOGISTICAL ELEMENT OF YOUR PROGRAM FROM START-TO-FINISH, MINIMIZING YOUR RISK AND ORGANIZATIONAL BURDEN
PRE-DEPARTURE SUPPORT, VISA RESOURCES, AND LOCAL GUIDANCE
QUALITY STUDENT AND FACULTY HOUSING
HIGH-QUALITY ACADEMIC COURSES TAUGHT HOW AND WHERE YOU WANT BY WORLD-CLASS PROFESSORS
INDUSTRY-LEADING HEALTH, SAFETY, AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT, AND COMPREHENSIVE INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF INTERNSHIP, SERVICE LEARNING, AND RESEARCH PARTNERS, EXTENDING THE RANGE OF EXPERIENCES AVAILABLE
24/7 SUPPORT FOR WHEN YOU, YOUR STUDENTS, OR YOUR UNIVERSITY, NEED IT
Whether you need high-level support and services or simply a framework and access to our network, it’s up to you. This is study abroad by design.
SAF FAST FACTS
24
Top 100 University Partners
Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 World Rankings
90+ Global University and Study Locations
Common Areas of Study
• Engineering
• Business
• Economics
• Political Science
• English Language
17,000+
scholars have studied with SAF
Our students have studied at
• Columbia University
• University of Edinburgh
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Los Angeles
• UCL
10,000+ Scholars study annually with IES Abroad
88%
25+ years of facilitating international student mobility
80+
Customized programs of SAF Scholars earn Recommendation Letters
of our locations offer screened housing 100%
70+
Study destinations run anually by SAF and IES Abroad
SAF Scholars from Asia develop professional relationships with host university professors available for you and your students
15+ #1
Flexible accredited programs Care commitment for a summer abroad on your terms means you go abroad with world class support and travel & emergency medical insurance
Source: SAF Scholars
GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
Global
QUITO
BUENOS AIRES
SANTIAGO
In association with: SAF Host Universities IES Abroad Centers
Program locations
RABAT
CAPE TOWN
SYDNEY
BRISBANE
SEOUL
NAGOYA TOKYO
AUCKLAND
CHRISTCHURCH
DUNEDIN
CUSTOMIZING A PROGRAM WITH SAF
FRAMEWORK & COLLABORATION
Build an original program from your ideas and needs or start with one of our existing programs, awarded the Forum on Education Abroad’s QUIP designation for program quality, assessment and improvement.
ACADEMIC SERVICES & FACILITIES
We arrange comfortable academic amenities for you and your students at our Centers that feature classrooms, high-speed internet, printing, libraries, student lounges and on-site tutoring. Services include pre-departure course information and postprogram grade reports or transcripts.
FIELD TRIPS & CULTURAL EVENTS
Local excursions in and outside of the city enhance learning. We arrange opportunities to complement any aspect of your program, including field trips and cultural events, practical internships, service learning and research opportunities.
TOP TIER LOCAL PARTNERS
Take advantage of our extensive, reliable network of partner institutions, employers, and housing providers. Our network is ever evolving to stay on top of changes in the environment.
SAFETY COMMITMENT
Studying abroad presents risks—big and small.
LOCAL UNIVERSITY PARTNERS
When studying through an IES Abroad Center, we can extend partnerships with local universities to enhance the academic pursuits of your students. Students take courses, participate in lectures or conduct research at nearly 70 international universities, 20 of which are within the Top 200 Universities in the World by the QS rating system.
INTERNSHIP & SERVICE LEARNING PARTNERS
Our professional network consists of 500+ vetted and trusted employers who provide students with substantive work experiences. For programs with a service-learning component, we arrange volunteer opportunities from our network of NGOs and other organizations that focus on community health and other social issues unique to the program location.
HOUSING PARTNERS
We typically offer four types of housing: residence halls, apartments, hotels or homestays with local residents. Every housing partner is vetted and inspected for safety and comfort by our on-site staff. We also arrange private housing for faculty and guests within or near student accommodations.
After helping more than 115,000 students study and intern abroad, IES Global’s diverse experiences make us uniquely qualified to handle a variety of health and safety issues. Not only do our International, US-based, and Center staff support you and your students, we build local networks of trained counselors, advisors, and medical professionals to assist us. IES Abroad Centers provide:
■ Information about potential risks to faculty, students and guest during pre-departure and on-site orientations
■ Enrollment in international insurance and Travel Tracker location management
■ 24/7 Crisis Management Team tracking external threats, such as natural disasters and security issues
■ Local crisis plans, around-the-clock emergency support and a Global Crisis Partner to assist in case of evacuations
SAF & IES GLOBAL TOGETHER
The Study Abroad Foundation specializes in educational services, including the administration of study abroad programs, academic advising and assistance in choosing programs, assisting with arrangements for participation, and facilitating transcripts of overseas academic program credits.
■ Since 2017, SAF has been a part of IES Global.
■ Two similarly mission-driven organizations focused on high quality academic and internship programming, and thoughtful preparation of our students for intercultural experiences.
WHAT’S AN IES ABROAD CENTER?
We maintain on-the-ground IES Abroad Centers and staff in more than 25 cities, so your staff, faculty, and students are supported every step of the way, wherever they go. Planning a program with an IES Abroad academic center offers additional access to:
■ Dedicated Local Staff
■ Multiple Local University Partners
■ Network of Quality Academic Instructors
■ Screened Housing Placements
■ Cultural Engagement Opportunities
■ Additional classroom and gathering locations
ACCESS IES ABROAD CENTERS AROUND THE WORLD
Center
Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
Notable Specializations (Non-Exhaustive)
Engineering & Science; Health Studies; Health, Culture & Development; Internships
Rabat, Morocco Arabic Language & Area Studies
Local Partners
University of Cape Town
Université Mohammed V Australia & new Zealand
Sydney, Australia Society, Sport & Leadership; Internships
Auckland, New Zealand
Christchurch, New Zealand
Multidisciplinary Studies
Multidisciplinary Studies
Asia
Nagoya, Japan
University of New South Wales; University of Sydney
University of Auckland
University of Canterbury
Language & Culture; Multidisciplinary Studies Nanzan University
Seoul, South Korea Korean Language; Language & Culture; Multidisciplinary Studies
Korea University; Yonsei University
Tokyo, Japan Japanese Language; Language & Culture; Multidisciplinary Studies Kanda University of International Studies
Europe
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Business & Economics; Law & Criminology; Psychology & Sciences; Social Sciences & Humanities; Society, Culture & Gender
Arles, France French Language
Barcelona, Spain
Berlin, Germany
Dublin, Ireland
Freiburg, Germany
Granada, Spain
Arts & Culture; Engineering; Internships; Journalism & Communications; Language & Area Studies; Liberal Arts & Business; Political Science & International Relations
Business, Sustainability & Innovation; Internships; Language, Culture, & Politics; Language & Culture; Security Studies & International Affairs; Urban Studies & Social Sciences
History, Politics & Social Change; Intensive Acting; Internships; Writing
Environmental Studies & Sustainability; European Union: Politics, Law & Economics; Language & Area Studies
Liberal Arts & Language; Sustainable Development & Equitable Living
Conservatorium van Amsterdam; Universiteit van Amsterdam; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Universitat de Barcelona: Universitat Pompeu Fabra: Universitat Ramon Llull; Universitat de Vic
Humboldt University
Dublin City University; National Theatre School of Ireland-Gaiety School of Acting; Trinity College Dublin
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg; Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg
Universidad de Granada
Center
London, England
Madrid, Spain
Milan, Italy
Nantes, France
Nice, France
Paris, France
Rome, Italy
Salamanca, Spain
Siena, Italy
Vienna, Austria
South America
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador
Santiago, Chile
Notable Specializations (Non-Exhaustive)
Business; Health Practice & Policy; Internships; Multidisciplinary Studies; Theatre Studies
Business, Economics & Social Sciences; Engineering, Math & Science
Business; Fashion Design & Merchandising; Music: Voice, Composition & Instrumental; STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics); Internships
French Language
Business, Sustainability & Immigration
Arts & Culture; Business & International Affairs; French Language & Studies; Internships; Marketing; Museums, Art & Culture; Psychology & Social Sciences; Studio Art, Dance & Music
Art History & Fashion; Early Childhood Education; Fashion Studies; Film & Media Studies; History & Classics; International Relations; Internships; Language, Culture, & Area Studies; Museums, Art & Culture; Sociology & Religion
Language & Culture; Psychology; Spanish Language
Business & Economics of Italian Food & Wine; Italian Language; Tradition & Cuisine
Business, Economics & International Relations; European Society & Culture; Internships; Music, History & Performance; Psychology & Social Sciences
Emerging Economies; Spanish Language; Society, Language & Culture
Local Partners
City St. George’s, University of London; London Contemporary Dance School; Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts; Queen Mary, University of London; University College London
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid; Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Arsutoria School; Civica Scuola di Musica Claudio Abbado; Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi; Istituto Europeo di Design; Istituto di Moda Burgo; Milano Fashion Institute; Università degli Studi di Milano - Bicocca; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi; Università IULM
École des Beaux-Arts de Nantes; Université de Nantes
SKEMA Business School
École Normale de Musique de Paris / Alfred Cortot; Institut Catholique de Paris; Paris School of Business; Université de Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV)
Accademia di Costume e Moda; Rome University of Fine Arts; Università degli Studi Roma Tre
Universidad de Salamanca; Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca
Università degli Studi di Siena
Universität Wien
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires; Universidad Torcuato di Tella
Environmental Studies; Marine Ecosystems; Spanish Language Galápagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences
Area Studies & Language; Environmental Studies
Emerging Economies; Health Studies; Internships; Politics, Social Justice & Language
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Universidad de Chile
FEATURED PROGRAM LOCATIONS
SAF and IES Global offer you the most complete set of global options. The SAF University Consortium is comprised of the world’s leading universities, each with their own capabilities, specializations, and propositions for customized programming. IES Abroad Centers offer rigorous academic opportunities with staff and support specialized in catering to you. With the guidance of our teams in Asia and the United States, we can facilitate short-term group programs with all the features of an SAF program, featuring the backing of IES Global, the largest nonprofit study abroad organization in the United States.
The following provides a select overview of SAF’s partner locations around the world. Our full consortium of host universities and all IES Abroad Center locations are available on our website.
Highlighted below are featured program options. Please contact SAF for more information or a complete list of possible programming opportunities.
EUROPE
IES Abroad Center featured location
UNIVERSIDAD DE GRANADA
Granada, Spain
Notable Specializations
■ Computer Science
■ Humanities
■ Languages
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITÀ COMMERCIALE LUIGI BOCCONI
Milan, Italy
Notable Specializations
■ Business
■ Economics
UNIVERSITÉ
PARIS-SORBONNE
Paris, France
Notable Specializations
■ Arts
■ Business
■ Commerce
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITEIT VAN AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Notable Specializations
■ Business
■ Economics
■ Humanities
■ Social Sciences
UNITED KINGDOM
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
London, England
Notable Specializations
■ Arts
■ Business
■ Engineering
■ Humanities
■ Languages
■ Mathematics
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge, England
Notable Specializations
■ Arts
■ Business
■ Economics
■ Humanities
■ Science
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Edinburgh, Scotland
Notable Specializations
■ Arts
■ Business
■ Engineering
■ Humanities
■ Languages
■ Science
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
Glasgow, Scotland
Notable Specializations
■ Art
■ Business
■ Engineering
■ Humanities
■ Science
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
Manchester, England
Notable Specializations
■ Engineering
■ Humanities
■ Languages
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Oxford, England
Notable Specializations
■ Humanities
■ Science
■ Social Sciences
UNITED STATES
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
New York, New York
Notable Specializations
■ Arts
■ Business
■ Commerce
■ Engineering
■ Humanities
■ Languages
■ Science
■ Social Sciences
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Baltimore, Maryland
Notable Specializations
■ Arts
■ Engineering
■ Languages
■ Mathematics
■ Science
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Berkeley, California
Notable Specializations
■ Arts
■ Business
■ Engineering
■ Humanities
■ Science
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles, California
Notable Specializations
■ Arts
■ Business
■ Commerce
■ Engineering
■ Languages
■ Science
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO San Diego, California
Notable Specializations
■ Commerce
■ Engineering
■ Mathematics
■ Science
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara, California
Notable Specializations
■ Arts
■ Business
■ Commerce
■ Engineering
■ Mathematics
■ Science
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Notable Specializations
■ Arts
■ Business
■ Engineering
■ Humanities
■ Languages
■ Science
AUSTRALIA
AFRICA
CANADA
SOUTH AMERICA
UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Sydney, New South Wales
Notable Specializations
■ Business
■ Engineering
■ Languages
■ Social Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
Brisbane, Australia
Notable Specializations
■ Commerce
■ Humanities
■ Languages
■ Science
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
Cape Town, South Africa
Notable Specializations
■ Science
■ Social Sciences
■ Engineering
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Toronto, Ontario
Notable Specializations
■ Languages
GALÁPAGOS ACADEMIC INSTITUTE FOR THE ARTS AND SCIENCES
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Notable Specializations
■ Science
■ Languages
TIMELINE
The following is an ideal timeline for planning your program.
■ Define target student population
■ Review or establish student recruitment process in partnership with international office where applicable
■ Secure funding if providing sponsorship to students
■ Work with faculty and university administrators to assess requirements and goals
■ Communicate with on-site staff or partners in chosen location to begin program planning process
Sending Institution Responsibility
■ Review proposal and provide feedback
■ Obtain necessary signature and approval for the program proposal. Then return signed program contract.
■ Review internal student application and create approved student participation list
■ Recruit students for program
SAF Responsibility
■ Develop and present program proposal
■ Finalize program proposal and provide final contract for signature
■ Prepare program, making logistical arrangements and bookings
8+ months before start
months before start
Months before start
- 4 months before start
■ Submit approved student participation list to SAF representative by deadline
■ Provide contact information and basic documentation on faculty member attending the program
■ Collect student materials such as passport copies, language test scores, medical history form, and waiver.
■ Introduce faculty members to the Center staff and site contacts
■ Give students and staff/ faculty access to predeparture guide with information about travel, visas, academics, and daily life abroad
4 - 3 months before start
Sending Institution Responsibility
■ Pay invoice upon receipt if billing is handled institutionally
■ Provide students with pre-departure information including any relevant institutional policies
■ Welcome your students home
SAF Responsibility
■ Enroll participants in comprehensive international health insurance plan
■ Review student medical information
■ Send invoices out to individual students or institution depending on preference
■ SAF organizes student housing placements
1 month before start
■ Conduct evaluations of students, faculty, and partners
■ Contact us to begin planning for the next year’s program or new program ideas
■ Provide grade reports or transcripts, if part of the program agreement
■ Schedule a program debriefing conversation with sending office/ department, faculty leader, and SAF university relations staff
At completion of program 1 to 2 months after program
THE PROCESS
From understanding your needs to proposing schedules, organizing student housing and coordinating faculty delivery, SAF is with you every step of the way. You’ll work hand-in-hand with a dedicated team in your home country, the United States, and your study destination, to ensure your program - and the experience for your students - is the very best it can be.
Whether you host your program at an IES Abroad Center, or an SAF Host University, our teams’ 75 years of experience affords you: Whether you need high-level support and services or simply a framework and access to our network, it’s up to you. This is study abroad by design.
DEFINE TERM
■ Year long, semester-long, summer session, January term, May term, short-term
EXPLORE LOCATION(S)
■ Select an SAF Host University or an IES Abroad Center to host your customized program. We can support multi-city destinations, too
DESIGN CURRICULUM ON RETURN
■ Opt to include service learning, internships, or research opportunities
■ Assistance to secure your official academic transcript from your host university to finalize your creadit transfer
■ Membership in the life-long SAF Alumni Network
■ Supplement curriculum with guest lectures, language partners, and business visits
■ Design new or join existing course-related excursions, field trips, and cultural events
PLAN
LOGISTICS
■ Confirm student and faculty housing, transportation needs, course times, and program dates
GET IN TOUCH
Answer a few questions to start the process!
What region are you interested in?
What specialization(s) are you looking for?
Scan here to get in touch with a SAF representative!
You can also reach us at SAFprograms@iesabroad.org
SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION EXAMPLES
The Study Abroad Foundation sends students to us on a regular basis and we always feel the students are well-supported throughout their study journey. It’s a pleasure to work with the staff at SAF who are responsive, flexible, and friendly in their approach. We value our relationship highly.
Lisa Morgan
Assistant Dean, International and Specialized Programs, University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
I am always impressed with SAF’s in-depth advising of students before, during, and after their studies. We are pleased to continue strengthening our partnership with such a thorough, dedicated, and compassionate group.
Grant Parsons
California State University, San Marcos
We have worked with SAF since 2015, and have been impressed with how well-prepared the students joining us have been. SAF staff has also always been helpful and responsive whenever we have contacted them.
Stephanie Nixon
University of Manchester
Working with SAF is very easy because they are very professional and they perfectly know the market and their job. The staff of SAF is very efficient, kind, supportive and attentive to the students and the partners.
Florence Plessis
Université Catholique de l’Ouest
I’m always impressed at how familiar Study Abroad Foundation advisors are with their students, and how they work with the partner universities to make sure that the students are well cared for.
Todd Shumway
University of Hawaii at Hilo
■ Access prestigious universities
■ Tailored program offerings
■
33 W. Monroe St., Suite 2300 Chicago, IL 60603 United States
Tel: +1 317-925-2943 info@safabroad.org
