Going abroad is an opportunity many college students hope to have at some point in their college career. And, many who have experienced learning abroad will say that it can teach you in ways that traditional classes and learning methods cannot. But did you know CSU offers several opportunities to go abroad before even starting college classes? Getting a chance to connect with other CSU students and see the world might be just what you need to get you in the college groove. Plus, attending one of these programs will get you college credits.
Here are some ways first-year incoming and transfer CSU Rams can go abroad before school starts in the fall. Note: Some programs are open to all incoming majors, and some require you to be admitted to a certain major.
#1. Ireland
Get your green on in a whole new way with this 10-day adventure in Limerick, Ireland. Throughout the trip, you’ll live and learn with a cohort of other first-year CSU students, exploring the country, meeting locals, and being fully immersed in the culture, history, and stunning countryside. Upon returning home, you’ll meet with your group throughout the first eight weeks of the fall semester to reflect upon your experiences.
This program is open to all incoming undergraduate students admitted as a full-time, first-year student to CSU.
#2. Japan
This 14-day program takes you to Japan to explore Japanese culture, history, and environment, You and your group will learn about the history of Japan in Kyoto by visiting tea houses, castles, shrines, and bamboo groves, then visit the modern city of Tokyo to explore the culture and experience museums — including an anime museum. When you return, you will meet for the first eight weeks of the fall semester to continue learning and reflecting together.
This program is open to all incoming undergraduate students admitted as a full-time, first-year student to CSU.
#3. Ecuador
This 10-day experience takes you and your group to the capitol of Ecuador, Quito, and then on to the beautiful city of Cuenca, where you’ll learn about environmental and social justice through an art-focused lens. After returning to CSU, your group will continue meeting for the first eight weeks of the semester to reflect on and continue learning about what you experienced in Ecuador.
This program is open to all incoming undergraduate students admitted as a full-time, first-year student to CSU.
#4. Denmark
What does it mean to be happy? Why do people in Denmark report that they are happier than people in the United States? If you like to think about questions like these, then this 10-day program, Happiness in Denmark, is the perfect program for you. You and your group will travel to the exciting city of Copenhagen, where you’ll learn to evaluate subjective meanings of happiness, develop self-awareness on perspectives on happiness and self-worth, and more.
This program is open to all incoming undergraduate students admitted as a full-time, first-year student to CSU.
#5. Croatia (For incoming Business majors)
Join this 10-day experience of a lifetime and enjoy the sights of Croatia! You’ll explore business in a global context by engaging in industry visits, lectures, and cultural activities in this stunning country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe. You and your group will traverse the charming old town of Dubrovnik, Lokrum Island to the Game of Thrones Museum, and Plitvice Lakes National Park in Split. You’ll deepen their learning through several business-focused visits, along with a local olive oil farm, a silk-production business, exploring the local sustainable fishing industry, and more. After you return to CSU for fall semester, you will continue with followup courses and meetings with your group for 4-8 weeks.
This program is open to all incoming undergraduate students admitted as a full-time first-time student to CSU as a Business major.
#6. Australia
If you are more interested in observing wallabies and penguins or going on a rainforest walk than visiting a museum, this 14-day program is for you. You and your group will travel to Australia to explore biology. You will learn how to perform statistical analysis of data, take measurements, and learn foundational biology concepts. You will see a large variety of Australian wildlife in Melbourne, and even take a trip to Cairns to experience the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll meet with your group for eight weeks in the fall semester at CSU to reflect and learn more.
This program is open to all incoming undergraduate students admitted as a full-time first-time student to CSU. Preference will be given to Biology and Zoology majors.
#7. Italy
Live out your Italian dreams with this one-of-a-kind, 10-day experience in Italy! You will have the opportunity to live and learn about apparel, merchandising, and interior design among Italian families, students, and local communities while experiencing activities such as guided excursions through Florence, fashion tours in Milan, and an added boat tour in Lake Como. Upon your return, you and your group will meet for weekly courses throughout the fall semester to reflect and expand on your experiences.
This program is open to all incoming undergraduate students admitted as a full-time first-time student to CSU. Preference will be given to Apparel and Merchandising and Interior Architecture and Design majors.
#8: Bridge Seminars: Germany, Denmark, or England (for all incoming Engineering and other STEM majors)
Want to get a jump-start on your engineering or STEM major at CSU before classes start? If you’re an incoming first-year or transfer STEM major, you have an opportunity to gather in a small cohort for an engineering-themed 10-day program in Denmark, Germany, or England. Prior to your travels, you and your group will meet on campus in Fort Collins for an intensive week of learning before traveling abroad. Then, you’ll travel to your destination to explore the culture and get a feel for the unique engineering accomplishments of the area. You’ll finish your session when you return to Fort Collins with on-campus courses and meetings. All students will fulfill an intro engineering course by participating on one of these unique Bridge Seminar programs.
These three programs are open to all incoming undergraduate students admitted as a full-time first-time or transfer student as a major in the College of Engineering or any other CSU STEM major.
Bonus: Multi-Country Semester Abroad
Hoping to go abroad in your fall semester instead of the summer before classes start?
The Global Challenge Semester is a 16-week international experience designed for students who are eager to explore potential majors and where they want life to take them. As a part of this faculty-led expedition, you will spend your fall semester exploring areas of Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama. You’ll earn 12 credits throughout your experience, taking classes in identity development, sustainability, and business — all taught through a global perspective. The program starts at the CSU Mountain Campus in Colorado, then travels to Costa Rica, Panama, and culminates at the CSU Todos Santos Center Field Campus in Mexico.
This program is open to all incoming undergraduate students first-year and second-year students at CSU.
