Welcome to our first annual TOP TEN study abroad rankings!
Welcome to Abroad101’s first annual study abroad program rankings! In 2007, three best friends fresh out of college turned down corporate jobs to pursue their dream venture: building the first study abroad review website. 4 years, and 10,000 program evaluations later, our inner data junkies are ecstatic. We are so proud to reveal findings across such a large collection of program data from the true experts: the students themselves.
So, how exactly were these rankings formulated? Our algorithm weighs both quantitative averages as well as total review count, to ensure that our rankings are statistically significant. Our mission is to maintain a transparent and unbiased community, and while we do not endorse any specific programs, we thank our committed students and university partners, and congratulate these exemplary programs for making the cut. Without further ado, enjoy the “Study Abroad Student’s Choice Awards!”
Top Academics by Program Providers
The teachers I had were all incredible. In addition to being great language teachers, several of them became close friends and helped to show me the culture and customs of Argentina outside of the classroom.
Program Providers by Program Administration
The staff on site was amazing! They were always willing to help, gave great suggestions for anything you wanted to know (food, shopping, activities, traveling, etc.) The staff also took us on excursions all over Spain and those were some of my favorite trips throughout the semester.
Study Abroad Programs
I feel as though I was removed from my "American bubble" and feel more a part of the world as a whole now. I've learned how other people live their lives and what they believe in, and that there is no one way to do something right, and that is probably the most valuable lesson I've learned so far in my life.
- 1. Emerson College: Kasteel Well: The Netherlands*
- 2. IES Abroad: Barcelona - IES Abroad Barcelona Center
- 3. Direct Enrollment: Florence - Scuola Lorenzo de Medici
- 4. IFSA Butler: Galway - National University Ireland
- 5. AIFS: Sydney - Macquarie University
- 6. Ithaca College: London - Ithaca College London Center
- 7. API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de'Medici - The Italian International Institute
- 8. University of Indianapolis: Athens - Odyssey in Athens
- 9. Tufts Programs Abroad: London - University College London
- 10. DIS - Danish Institute for Study Abroad: Copenhagen - Various Programs
Most Popular Cities
London is a true crossroads of the world. I was able to experience so many different cultures, by meeting such a huge variety of people all brought together in one place.
- 1. London, England
- 2. Paris, France
- 3. Barcelona, Spain
- 4. Sydney, Australia
- 5. Florence, Italy
- 6. Beijing, China
- 7. Buenos Aires, Argentina
- 8. Prague, Czech Republic
- 9. Copenhagen, Denmark
- 10. Cape Town, South Africa
Safest Cities
All buildings required an electronic key fob allowing us to get in. Although the castle is a national monument which attracted many tourists and even weddings on campus, the town was very tiny and I felt safe at all times.
- 1. Well, Netherlands*
- 2. Paris, France
- 3. London, England
- 4. Florence, Italy
- 5. Perth, Australia
- 6. Salzburg, Austria
- 7. Sydney, Australia
- 8. Milan, Italy
- 9. Oxford, UK
- 10. Grenoble, France
Best Food Cities
Holy Mother of God. BEST FOOD OF MY LIFE. Eat bolitos on the street. Eat at Trattoria Mario's. Eat as much as you can: YOU DON'T HAVE THIS AT HOME.
- 1. Florence, Italy
- 2. Lima, Peru
- 3. San Sebastian, Spain
- 4. Torino, Italy
- 5. Athens, Greece
- 6. Kyoto, Japan
- 7. Tapei, Taiwan
- 8. Rome, Italy
- 9. Padova, Italy
- 10. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Budget / Easy on the Wallet Cities
SEA made it possible for me to participate in the program by offering a very generous scholarship and helping me afford the experience in every way they could. The people working 'behind the scenes' at SEA's base in Woods Hole are wonderfully committed to making the program a possibility for literally anyone who wants to get out on this adventure.
- 1. On a boat, The Ocean (SEA Semester)
- 2. Zheziang, China
- 3. Karagwe, Tanzania
- 4. Rabat, Morocco
- 5. Chiang Mai, Thailand
- 6. Oaxaca, Mexico
- 7. Jaipur, India
- 8. Accra, Ghana
- 9. Xi'an, China
- 10. Khon Khon, Thailand
Learned Competencies
Abroad101 wanted to go beyond program satisfaction and dig deeper into academic outcomes. These learned competencies reflect the skill-sets that students are acquiring as a result of their study abroad experience.
- 1. Profound Knowledge of Host Country 95.4%
- 2. Increased Independence & Confidence 94.7%
- 3. Better Able to Adapt to New Situations 93.6%
- 4. Gained New Perspective of Home Culture from Global Context 90.3%
- 5. Increased Interest in World Events 88.5%
- 6. Improved Foreign Language Skills 86.3%
- 7. Increased Interest in Living Abroad Again 82.6%
- 8. Positive Impact on Major/Minor 80.6%
- 9. Positive Impact on Professional Goals 73.7%
- 10. Used Resources Unavailable at Home Institution 73.5%
