An educational and intentional approach to program design

Leading students on an EF Study Abroad program is more than just an incredible travel experience. When learners participate in our intentionally designed programs that leverage our Global Learning Model, they develop global competencies before, during, and after their in-country immersion—deepening learning and accelerating personal development.

Our approach to program design, developed in consultation with leading industry experts using best practices, is grounded in learning outcomes and includes academic resources, curated experiences, and assessments. Explore our approach and talk with a Program Consultant about how our programs can integrate with your learning goals.

Download our Educational Impact Report

Download our first annual EF Study Abroad Educational Impact Report and learn about the application of this educational philosophy and academic approach, built to enable growth in our travelers and the learning communities that surround them. We measure our impact in both quantifiable and qualitative terms—because in addition to seeing tangible impact, we believe the stories in-between matter as well.

Download the report

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The EF Study Abroad Global Learning Model

You get more when you work with EF. Our intentionally designed, experiential study abroad programs are rooted in our Global Learning Model which maximizes global competency development and accelerates personal growth.

EF College Study college trips abroad

Building Global Competencies for a brighter future

When learners participate in our intentionally designed programs, they develop global competencies including confidence, curiosity, global knowledge, empathy, adaptability, relatability, and self-awareness. Development of these skills is the end goal we build our program structures around.

The development of these skills has been shown to accelerate success in all aspects of learner’s lives—promoting career growth, global citizenship, life readiness, and more.

The learner journey

On an EF Study Abroad program, you learn more about the world, yourself, and yourself in the world. The learner's study abroad journey begins by challenging assumptions and launching the experience with an open mind in order to gain global perspective, foster interpersonal relationships, and ultimately gain skills to navigate and make an impact in our ever-evolving world.

  • Growth mindset

    Learners set their journey up for success by being curious and embracing new challenges with confidence and an open mind.

  • Global perspective

    Learners can expect to gain exposure to various cultures to build global perspective and intercultural awareness.

  • Personal development

    Learners can expect to enhance interpersonal skills to foster connection and collaboration.

  • Action & impact

    Learners activate skills gained from their experience and apply them to all aspects of life (on repeat).

Blending cultural and educational experiences with academic resources

Experiential learning in the form of study abroad is naturally a powerful engine for growth. But at EF Study Abroad, we always strive for more—which is why our program design layers in additional educational and cultural elements, alongside academic resources, to round out and accelerate learning before, during, and after immersion (with a way to measure it all, too).

Pre-immersion


Prior to traveling, learners are given access to a variety of resources to help prepare them for their experience in-country, including goal sheets, journal prompts, webinars, and pre-travel discussion topics. We also deliver course planning resources for educators and an optional assessment to benchmark global competencies.

Learn more about the pre-immersion experience →

In-country


While on the ground, learners and educators have access to reflection prompts, discussion guides, journaling exercises, and more.

Additionally, each program includes intentionally designed guided learning, community engagement, and independent exploration components, which are all informed by subject matter experts.

Learn more about the in-country experience →

Post-immersion


After returning home, learners' journeys continue with access to assignments that tie the in-country experience to their academic, personal, and professional development, along with micro-credentialing. If groups opted in to the pre-immersion assessment, students will take a post-immersion assessment to measure the growth of skill development while abroad and demonstrate evidence of learning.

Learn more about the post-immersion experience →

Academically-enriched travel programs

Our intentional program design, crafted alongside subject matter experts, translates across a variety of program types to meet your unique needs. All itineraries balance culture with education and include guided learning, community engagement, and independent exploration components.