List of Free Luxury Study Abroad Programs​

Studying abroad can be a transformative experience, offering students the chance to immerse themselves in new cultures, enhance their education, and broaden their perspectives. While luxury study abroad programs often come with a high price tag, there are opportunities to access premium experiences at little to no cost through scholarships, grants, or fully funded programs. We have put together a list of programs with application links for each specific program type to make your journey easier.

List of Luxury Study Abroad Programs​

Affordable Study Abroad Programs

Luxury doesn’t always mean expensive. Many affordable study abroad programs offer high-quality experiences, such as stays in beautiful locations, cultural immersion, and top-tier academics, without breaking the bank. Organizations like CIEE and ISA provide scholarships that can significantly reduce costs, sometimes covering tuition, housing, and even travel. ISA, for example, awards over $850,000 annually in scholarships, making premium programs accessible.
Application Link: ISA Study Abroad Programs

MTSU Study Abroad Programs

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers a variety of study abroad opportunities, some of which can align with a luxury experience if funding is secured. Through scholarships like the MTSU Study Abroad Scholarship or national awards (e.g., Gilman Scholarship), programs in destinations like Italy or Japan could offer luxurious elements, think art-focused trips to Florence or cultural stays in Tokyo.
Application Link: MTSU Education Abroad

Villanova Study Abroad Programs

Villanova University provides semester-long programs in places like London, Rome, and Galway, often featuring high-end accommodations and exclusive excursions. Scholarships such as the Connelly-Delouvrier International Scholarship can cover significant expenses, potentially making a luxury experience free or low-cost for eligible students.
Application Link: Villanova Study Abroad

Study Abroad Programs for Graduate Students

Graduate students can find funded opportunities through university partnerships or external organizations. Programs like Fulbright offer fully funded research or study experiences in prestigious locations, often including stipends for upscale living arrangements.
Application Link: Fulbright Program

West Chester Study Abroad Programs

West Chester University (WCU) offers programs in destinations like Spain, Costa Rica, and South Africa. Scholarships like the WCU Study Abroad Scholarship or external funding from the Fund for Education Abroad can enhance the experience, making a scenic location like Cape Town feel luxurious.
Application Link: WCU Study Abroad

Arabic Study Abroad Programs

For Arabic language and culture immersion, programs in cities like Amman, Cairo, or Rabat offer high-quality experiences. The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) provides fully funded opportunities, often with comfortable accommodations and cultural activities that elevate the experience, all at no cost.
Application Link: Critical Language Scholarship

Colgate Study Abroad Programs

Colgate University offers over 100 programs in locations like Paris, Sydney, and Cape Town, often including luxurious elements like stays in historic cities or guided excursions. Colgate’s financial aid packages and external scholarships can reduce costs significantly.
Application Link: Colgate Study Abroad

Culinary Study Abroad Programs

Culinary-focused programs in Tuscany, Paris, or Tokyo offer a luxurious twist with hands-on cooking classes and gourmet dining. Scholarships from providers like API or culinary-specific grants (e.g., James Beard Foundation) can cover expenses, turning a high-end culinary adventure into a free experience.
Application Link: API Culinary Programs

Independent Study Abroad Programs

Independent programs allow students to design their own luxurious experience, often through direct enrollment in foreign universities. Funding from sources like the Boren Scholarship can make this feasible at no personal cost, letting students craft a bespoke journey.
Application Link: Boren Scholarship

ISA Study Abroad Programs

International Studies Abroad (ISA) offers programs in over 30 countries, many with luxurious features like stays in vibrant cities (e.g., Barcelona, Seoul) and curated excursions. ISA’s generous scholarship offerings can fully fund these experiences.
Application Link: ISA Study Abroad

Maymester Study Abroad Programs

Short-term Maymester programs can deliver luxury through intensive study in stunning locales like Greece or New Zealand. Many universities provide scholarships for these condensed programs, making them easier to fund fully. Check your university’s portal or a provider like CIEE.
Application Link: CIEE Maymester Programs

Pre-Vet Study Abroad Programs

Pre-vet students can find luxury in programs combining veterinary training with exotic locations, such as wildlife conservation in South Africa or Australia. Loop Abroad offers scholarships that can cover costs, providing a high-end experience at no expense.
Application Link: Loop Abroad

Russian Study Abroad Programs

Studying Russian in Moscow or St. Petersburg can feel luxurious with fully funded programs like the CLS, which covers tuition and accommodations, offering a rich cultural experience at no cost.
Application Link: Critical Language Scholarship

Study Abroad Affiliate Programs

Affiliate programs with providers like CIEE or Arcadia offer luxury options like upscale housing or exclusive tours. Scholarships from these affiliates or your home university can eliminate costs.
Application Link: Arcadia Study Abroad

Study Abroad Film Programs

Film students can pursue luxury programs in cinematic hubs like London or Prague. Funding through university grants or the Gilman Scholarship can cover costs, offering access to state-of-the-art facilities and glamorous locales.
Application Link: Gilman Scholarship

VCU Study Abroad Programs

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) provides options in Qatar, Italy, and Peru. Scholarships like the VCU Education Abroad Scholarship or national funding can turn a culturally rich program into a luxurious, cost-free adventure.
Application Link: VCU Study Abroad

Exchange Program vs Study Abroad

Exchange programs involve swapping places with a student from a partner university, often at a lower cost since you pay your home tuition rate. Study abroad programs may offer more structured, luxurious experiences through providers. Both can be free with scholarships, though study abroad programs often include premium add-ons. Check your university’s exchange options or a provider like ISEP.
Application Link: ISEP Exchange