Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

Study Abroad

Ohio State offers numerous ways to study abroad, and many International Studies majors & minors choose to go abroad. From cosmopolitan megacities to remote villages, International Studies students are out exploring cultures, languages, and ideas in ways that textbooks can't capture in places such as:

  • Amman, Jordan
  • Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
  • Bologna, Italy
  • Kigali, Rwanda
  • Vilnius, Lithuania
  • Stockholm, Sweden
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Seoul, South Korea

Thinking about going abroad? These are our top reasons why you should:

Participate More Fully in a Global Economy

Today's work requires employees to collaborate with colleagues from all over the world. Studying abroad gives you direct experience in navigating new cultures and using foreign language skills in real-world contexts.

Connect with Parts of the World that Others Can't

There are billions of people in the world who live outside of the United States and don't speak English. Through studying abroad, you have the unique experience to interact with new places and people in a way that many others can't.

Acquire In-Demand Skills for Today's Workplaces

A survey from McKinsey & Co. in 2017 indicated that the majority of business leaders felt new graduates were missing skills critical to their success, such as adaptability, intercultural communication, and interpersonal skills. Studying abroad cultivates these skills, and studies show that students who study abroad better develop these traits than their classmates who don't.

A group of students celebrating May Day
A student smiles in front of the Eiffel Tower

Understand and Appreciate the Complexities of the World

As the world grows more interconnected, the importance of understanding the differences between cultures also grows. Studying abroad is the perfect opportunity for you to not only experience new ways of doing things, but to see the commonalities that cross cultures.

Grow in Unexpected Ways

The cliché that studying abroad changes you is absolutely true. Studying abroad has its challenging moments, and these opportunities to learn are just as important as what your students will study in the classroom. Navigating challenges in a new environment leads to resiliency, maturity, responsibility, and self-confidence. 

Ohio State Has Your Back

Over 2,000 Buckeyes study abroad every year. We have the resources, funding, and expertise to help you find out where you want to go and get you there!

Featured Study Abroad Programs

The following are programs that International Studies students have traveled with in the past. This is just a sample of OSU-approved options for students. To learn more about where you can go and to start your journey abroad, visit our friends at the Office of International Affairs.

 

Ohio State Faculty-Led Programs

 

Third-Party Provider Programs

 

Intensive Language Programs

Other Opportunities to Go Abroad

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State and is administered by the the Institute of International Education. In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers unparalleled opportunities in all academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds. Program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad.

2026-2027 Competition Deadline: Tuesday October 7, 2025 at 5 pm ET

 

The Critical Language Scholarship Program

The Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS) is a program of the U.S. Department of State and is administered by American Councils for International Education. provides fully funded immersive summer programs for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages of strategic importance to the United States’ national security, economic prosperity, and engagement with the world. Programs are offered in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu, and many programs that don't require previous language study. 

Check back for 2026 competition details.