Locations

A Faculty-Led Travel Course refers to a short-term study abroad program led by a Western Carolina University Faculty member in an international setting for anywhere between one to eight weeks. You'll earn course credit, experience life abroad and build lifelong relationships with fellow students. and after completing a Faculty-Led Travel Course, many students pursue a study abroad exchange.

You may also see Faculty-Led Courses referred to as Faculty-Led Study Abroad, but do note that these courses are different from a Study Abroad Exchange, which is with another University and last between a semester and year.

Note: The application deadlines for Faculty-Led Travel Courses is different than other Study Abroad courses.

Explore the Current Faculty-Led Travel Courses

Building a global perspective and cross-cultural understanding gives you a unique advantage in today's job market. An internship or work experience abroad can help you appreciate the international dimensions of your field, broaden your career opportunities, develop first-hand knowledge of other cultures, broaden your perspectives on the American society, and improve foreign language abilities. 

We work with several third party study abroad providers that provide internship opportunities. Be sure to contact or visit Western's Center for Career and Professional Development to understand how internships work. You should also communicate with your academic advisor/department head so they can help you find the right fit for what your degree requires.

Contact the Study Abroad Advisor to explore any of these more deeply.

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES ABROAD 

CISABROAD

CIEE

CAPA: THE GLOBAL EDUCATION NETWORK

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS INTERNATIONAL

The International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) is a is a non-profit educational community made up of 328 colleges and universities in 54 countries around the world.

There are two ways to study abroad with ISEP: 

ISEP Exchange

With ISEP Exchange, you swap spots with a student from an ISEP university overseas. You get to pick up to ten schools you'd like to attend and ISEP will place you at the best option depending on the space and your academic needs. Space is limited and while you are guaranteed a spot in one of your ten chosen schools, the chance of placement at your top choice all depends on the pool of other exchange applicants.

You pay your tuition, fees, room and board to WCU and your host university provides you with housing and meals generally in the form of a stipend. Additional costs include flight, mandatory travel health insurance and miscellaneous expenses such as books, lab fees, social activities, etc.

ISEP Direct

Through ISEP Direct you enroll directly at the international university on a fee paying basis. With this, all competition for limited places is removed from the equation, leaving you with an excellent chance of placement at your top choice. All major costs are paid to ISEP, only the application fee is paid to WCU.

LEARN MORE AND EXPLORE THEIR OFFERINGS. 

Third party program providers are not administered or controlled by WCU's study abroad office and there is no exchange of students between institutions.

With this type of exchange, you pay your tuition, fees room and board to the Third Party Provider. Additional costs include flight, mandatory travel health insurance and miscellaneous expenses such as books, lab fees, social activities, etc.

To apply for study abroad you must first be approved by the Study Abroad Office, then you will need to complete the program provider's application.

Explore the list below of third party programs WCU Students have used previously:

International Studies Abroad (ISA)

Academic Programs International (API)

CIS Abroad

Classport

Knowledge Exchange Institute (KEI)

CIEE

SAI

ARCOS LEARNING ABROAD

CAPA: The Global Education Network

A direct enrollment program is when a student from Western attends a partner university abroad.

Through direct enrollment, you pay tuition, fees, room, and board to the partner university, rather than WCU. You'll also have additional costs for your flight, mandatory travel health insurance and some miscellaneous expenses such as books, lab fees, social activities, etc.

To apply for direct enrollment you must first be approved by the Study Abroad Office. Once approved, you will then be given the partner university's application to complete.

Curious? Explore the Direct Enrollment Universities and feel free to contact us with any questions, or to start your journey...

SPAIN'S ILYC LANGUAGE SCHOOL

UNC CHARLOTTE'S SEMESTER IN SPAIN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CANTABRIA

ITALY'S LORENZO DI MEDICI Institute

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY IN ROME, ITALY

UNIVERSITY OF THE SUNSHINE COAST IN AUSTRALIA

UNC WILMINGTON'S SEMESTER IN ECUADOR AT THE UNIVERSIDAD SAN FRANCISCO DE QUITO

UNC WILMINGTON'S SEMESTER IN SWANSEA, WALES

FOYER INTERNATIONAL DES ETUDIANTES IN PARIS WITH UNC WILMINGTON

STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Fudan University in Shanghai, China