15 Best Summer Study Abroad Programs in 2025

While many students choose to go overseas during the academic year, summer study abroad programs are another popular option. In fact, studying abroad in the summer can be even more convenient for students!

There are a range of summer study abroad programs for college students and adults alike. Do you want to improve specialist subject skills, experience cultural immersion, or travel with a group of like-minded students? Whatever your personal goals, the perfect summer study abroad program is out there for you.

Read on to find out the 10 best summer study abroad programs!

Studying abroad during the summer offers many benefits whether they’re personal, academic, or financial. Here are some of the benefits of using your summer break productively by studying abroad:

• Cultural immersion: Although not as long as traditional study abroad programs, summer study abroad programs still offer cultural immersion and insight. In addition to the classroom, your in-country orientation and excursions will allow you to soak up the unique culture and learn something every day.
• Lower costs: With tuition fees, accommodation, and program costs, studying abroad for an extended time can be expensive. Summer study abroad programs can offer experiential travel on a tighter budget.
• Less commitment: Traveling can be intimidating, especially for students. Summer study abroad programs for college students offer the best way to engage in experiential travel without being thrown into the deep end. A summer study abroad program doesn’t require a 6-month or 1-year commitment and will provide extensive support for students.
• More flexibility: Due to their flexible and short-term nature, it’s easy to work your life around a summer study abroad program. Wedding invites, vacation plans, or makeup exams on your calendar? Due to their flexible and short-term nature, it's easy to work your life around a summer study abroad program.
• No FOMO: Is the fear of missing out on campus events and activities during the year keeping you from studying abroad? Summer study abroad programs are the perfect compromise to get the best of both worlds.
• Study & travel! Studying abroad can enrich and provide more meaning to your solo travels. Instead of wandering aimlessly, you’ll share memories outside the classroom with new friends, go on cultural excursions, and learn about your host country in a more educational and immersive context.

Read more: 8 Benefits of Studying Abroad in Summer

Location: Viterbo, Italy
Program length: 5+ weeks
Starting price: $5,980 for 5 weeks
What's included: tuition and fees, shared apartment, visa guidance, airport pickup, 24-hour emergency support, field trips and activities

Pros:

• Includes cultural and Italian language immersion activities.
• Enjoy program excursions such as sailing, horseback riding, hiking in the mountains, and hitting the beaches in Southern Italy.

Cons:

• Availability of certain courses depends on the term, so not all classes will be available during the summer.
• Limited interaction with Italian university students.

USAC's Italy: Viterbo - Intensive Italian Language, History, and the Arts program program offers students the opportunity to take courses in journalism, history, art, environmental sciences, and more while learning Italian in the gorgeous medieval university town of Viterbo, Italy.

Viterbo boasts all of the characteristics that make Italy such a desirable destination but with far fewer tourists. This allows for maximal cultural and language immersion! Through a mix of practical and sociocultural activities, you’ll learn about the country’s traditions and folklore and grow your knowledge far beyond the classroom!

Locations: Barcelona, Spain
Program length: 4+ weeks
Starting price: $4,850 for 4 weeks
What's included: tuition, excursions, accommodation

Pros:

• You can enjoy organized activities like attending a flamenco show or taking a day trip to Montserrat.
• Accommodation flexibility can cater to introverts, extroverts, and those who want maximal cultural immersion.

Cons:

• Meals are not included in the residence halls and shared apartments. If you are in a homestay you will have breakfast and dinner with the host family, but may not have access to use the family's kitchen.
• Fast-paced academic schedule

CIEE's study abroad program in Barcelona, Spain, offers students the opportunity to study a variety of subjects such as history, art, politics, urban culture, and more, while taking courses in English or Spanish. Outside the classroom, you have the option to live with a host family, allowing you to learn about local customs and improve your Spanish. If you’d rather maximize peer time and live with fellow students, you can live in a shared apartment or a dorm!

With 90+ alumni reviews on Go Overseas, students rave about the friendships they made, Barcelona’s iconic architecture and vibrant culture, and the personal growth they experienced!

Location: Oxford, England
Program length: 2 weeks
Starting price: $7,370
What's included: tuition, accommodations, meals, field trips and activities

Pros:

• Staying at an English manor house creates a unique living environment.
• Students come from all over the world, creating a diverse group of international students.

Cons:

• The program is relatively costly for being hosted in a single location and lasting a short duration.
• Some alum have mentioned that course load can feel heavy for the program length.

Oxford Royale Academy’s Summer Study Abroad program attracts students from all over the world. There, you’ll live in either a manor house or one of the University of Oxford’s colleges for the duration of the two-week courses. Subjects include everything from Engineering to Creative Writing and Chemistry to Archaeology, and there are also cultural and recreational activities to complement your studies.

Location: Florence, Italy
Program length: 3+ weeks
Starting price: $5,300 for 3 weeks
What's included: tuition, accommodations, airport transfers, 24 hr support, travel insurance, field trips and activities

Pros:

• Extensive support in coordinating all aspects of the study abroad experience.
• Take part in immersive Italian activities such as pizza making, wine tasting, and food tours.

Cons:

• While many English courses are taught, the options are limited.
• Reviews indicate program housing is relatively small.

Join around 500 students from around the world at Florence University of the Arts (FUA). Students interested in studying in English can pick from a range of subjects, including digital & studio Arts, literature & creative writing, and the natural sciences.

FUA prides itself on providing stellar support to study abroad participants before, during, and after their time in Florence. This means that students will have help with applications and visas, housing, health insurance, and more.

Location: Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice
Program length: 4+ weeks
Starting price: $6,990
What's included: tuition and fees, shared apartment, meal vouchers, airport transfers, visa guidance, 24-hour emergency support, field trips, and activities

Pros:

• Lots of travel opportunities outside of studying and interning.
• Students have a wide range of location options across Italy.

Cons:

• Accommodation may not be that close to placement.
• The lessons are engaging but some participants have mentioned workload can be challenging during the adjustment period.

AIFS' study and/or intern abroad program in Italy offers the perfect getaway for students to improve their Italian language skills, study a traditional academic program, or specialize in their desired field through a local internship. If you're interested in cultural studies, luxury fashion, architecture, or something else, you'll gain valuable theoretical and practical experience studying in Italy with AIFS.

Speaking Italian isn't required as programs are taught in English. Outside the classroom, students can embrace Italian culture, architecture, and gastronomy through guided walks, cooking classes, and other cultural excursions.

Location: Athens, Greece
Program length: 4 weeks
Starting price: Starting from $4,500
What's included: tuition, accommodations, transportation, some meals, activities

Pros:

• Visit a range of historical sites, mountains, and beaches through program-led activities.
• Alumni members praise the extent of in-country support provided by CYA.

Cons:

• The short duration means this is a fast-paced program with less time to travel outside of included learning activities.
• Athens is very hilly, so if you have mobility issues, it might be challenging to get around.

College Year in Athens (CYA) boasts experience-based opportunities for learning, helping you develop real-world skills and practical knowledge. The Study in Greece Summer Program makes the most of the country’s diverse range, offering visits to archaeological excavation sites, picturesque islands, archaic amphitheaters, and more.

You’ll take one course during four-week sessions that consist of 60 contact hours, and in your free time, you can enjoy everything that Greece has to offer during this summer of Mediterranean bliss.

Location: Iceland
Program length: 8 days
Starting price: $4200
What's included: tuition, facility tours, accommodation, meals, transportation, excursions

Pros:

• Exclusive access and private tours to Iceland's leading hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuel facilities.
• Enjoy glacier walks, swimming in natural hot springs, camping, and other outdoor activities.

Cons:

• Busy schedule with little downtime.
• Cost is expensive for it being a little over a week, but scholarships are available.

Looking for an unforgettable way to spend your summer? The GREEN Program balances sustainability-focused coursework, exclusive industry exposure, and immersive excursions. In 8 days, you'll learn about how Iceland utilizes geothermal energy, discover the science behind renewable energy systems, and tick things off your bucket list such as glacier hiking, swimming in hot springs, and visiting a volcano crater.

Location: Fiji, Palau, Micronesia, Indonesia
Program length: 20 days
Starting price: $7,670
What's included: accommodations, activities, equipment, meals

Pros:

• Learn new skills like scuba diving and sailing.
• Visit multiple locations in one trip.

Cons:

• Seasickness can be a genuine concern.
• Life on a ship requires significant work.

If you're looking for a unique, hands-on study abroad experience overseas, check out the Virgin Islands to Antigua - 20 Days program offered by Seamester. In this 20-day program, you'll sail 360 nautical miles, gain credits, and return home as a certified scuba diver.

More importantly, you'll also come back with a new sense of confidence and personal responsibility, new friends, and a set of skills that you can take with you beyond academics!

Location: Beijing, Shanghai, Harbin, China
Program length: 8 weeks
Starting price: $8,190
What's included: tuition, on-campus accommodations in a dormitory, out-of-classroom activities

Pros:

• Program-led activities and excursions offer cultural insight and a great time to bond with fellow students.
• Housing and public transportation passes are organized by CET allowing for a swift transition.

Cons:

• Expect hot and humid weather during the summer.
• The program’s intensive curriculum will require significant work.

CET provides students with various language programs and internships throughout five Chinese cities. As Chinese is the most widely spoken language on Earth, CET Greater China offers students an intensive language immersion experience that will develop their written and spoken Chinese skills while earning course credit.

With small class sizes and plenty of activities outside the classroom, students will gain a deep insight into Chinese culture while simultaneously improving their language skills.

Location: Worldwide
Program length: 4 weeks
Starting point: $3,000
What's included: tuition, accommodation, excursions, most meals, domestic transportation, emergency, and in-country support staff

Pros:

• Exposure to a wide range of clinical experiences.
• Culturally immersive and impactful excursions.

Cons:

• Not all meals are not included in program fees.
• Advanced activity scheduling is limited.

Therapy Abroad offers hands-on programs designed by clinicians, university professors, and public health professionals, for students looking to enhance their health science skills. By offering programs that prioritize immersive experiences and community service, Therapy Abroad has proven to be a valuable resource for those looking to develop their professional skills in a practical setting.

Their commitment to excellence has earned Therapy Abroad recognition for their programs, including our very own Go Overseas Community Choice Awards, where they were acknowledged for their fun and memorable excursions.

Want to spend the summer studying in England? Check out these summer study programs which offer extensive support and insight into British education in charming English locations!

• University of Sussex: Located beside Brighton’s seaside and a short train ride from London, the University of Sussex offers students a dynamic English experience. The undergraduate summer school program includes modules from business management and English literature to global health and medical studies and is well known for its excellence in the fields of humanities and social sciences. Its Development Studies program has ranked #1 globally in QS World University Ranking for 9 consecutive years.
• University of Roehampton: Join a cohort of international students and spend your summer living and studying at the University of Roehampton in the UK’s capital, London. Students can choose from engaging courses while using London’s dynamism as their classroom! The university’s friendly and welcoming staff will support you every step of the way, from airport pickup on arrival day to support services on campus.

Now you’ve familiarized yourself with some of the best summer study abroad programs, here’s how you can study abroad this summer.

1. Decide on a location: Your life abroad extends beyond the classroom! Because of this, be sure to choose somewhere that intrigues you. Consider the climate, lifestyle, and culinary scene when deciding a location. To help you, check out our list of some of the best places to study abroad!
2. Find a program: Give yourself plenty of time to choose a program. In addition to summer study abroad programs on Go Overseas, be sure to consult your home university’s study abroad department. Read reviews from alumni members and reach out to a study abroad advisor!
3. Apply! Once you’ve found the right program, submit your application! Applying early will not only secure your place but it will allow you to gather essential documents and plan your travels ahead of time to keep things organized. Then, you’ll be able to set a budget, apply for scholarships and grants, and take care of other pre-departure essentials.
4. Book your flights and obtain your visa: Your spot on the program is confirmed, so book your flight (while it’s at its cheapest!) and apply for your visa (if required)! Your program will provide guidance regarding your visa application, but it’s important to be proactive by asking questions and applying as soon as you’ve got the green light.

Read more: How to Ace Your Study Abroad Application

Whatever your academic goals or interests, there is likely a summer study abroad program for you. Regardless of whether you’re a college graduate looking for summer study abroad programs or an adult looking for an educational excursion abroad, these summer study abroad programs can provide extensive support and an immersive experience overseas.

Read next more about studying abroad:

• The 10 Best Places to Study Abroad
• Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants to Apply for
• 9 Ways to Have the Best Study Abroad Experience