mandarin traditional calligraphy class abroad

Language, Literature & Cultural Studies​

Find the Right Language, Literature & Cultural Studies Program for You

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Fast-Forward Your Language Skills Abroad

Develop and advance your language skills by completing a foreign language study abroad program. On CIEE's immersive language programs abroad, you'll immerse yourself in local cultures, learn dialects, and express yourself in one of a dozen languages, including: 

  • Spanish 
  • French 
  • Mandarin 
  • Arabic 
  • Korean 
  • Portuguese 
  • Japanese 
  • And more!

With 130+ foreign language programs across 40+ locations, you'll complete foreign language courses, connect with community members, and experience the local culture firsthand. From advancing your Mandarin language skills in Shanghai to learning to speak like a Parisian in the City of Light, CIEE offers a program every language learner will enjoy!

Whether you're a beginner or a Heritage speaker, study language abroad with CIEE and discover a language program that fits your skill level by exploring beyond the classroom through local engagements, excursions, and more! 

SEARCH ALL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS 

Language, Literature & Cultural Studies​ Study Abroad Programs

170 Programs Found

Buenos Aires
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Study Program

People travel from all over the globe to dip into the cultural treasures here

Features
  • Big City
  • Host Institution
  • Language Immersion
Buenos Aires
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Study Program
  • Part-Time Internship

...for 1, 2, or 3 term blocks!

Our Open Campus Block program allows you to start studying in Buenos Aires, then study in two other countries in one term.

Features
  • ASU Courses
  • Big City
  • Volunteering
buenos-aires-obelisk-aerial
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
New for Spring '25
  • Study Program
  • Part-Time Internship

Spend a full semester abroad in Buenos Aires where you will immerse yourself in the charming life, rich history, and dynamic culture of Argentina’s famous port city.

Features
  • ASU Courses
  • Big City
Buenos Aires
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Study Program
  • Part-Time Internship

Spend your summer in Buenos Aires - the Paris of South America – and immerse yourself in its rich heritage while studying contemporary culture at our Global Institute.

Features
  • ASU Courses
  • Big City
sydney coogee beach
  • Sydney, Australia
New for Fall '25
  • Study Program

Study in the heart of dynamic Sydney at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), a leading institution known for its innovative teaching methods, strong industry connections, and cutting-edge research in STEM fields.

Features
  • Big City
  • Host Institution
Melbourne library
  • Melbourne, Australia
New for Fall '25
  • Study Program

Experience life studying at Monash University, one of Australia’s leading institutions, known for its innovative teaching and global outlook.

Features
  • Big City
  • Dorm/Residence hall
  • Homestay
Melbourne
  • Melbourne, Australia
New for Fall '25
  • Study Program

Known for its excellence in teaching and research, the University of Melbourne offers an outstanding academic experience across a wide range of disciplines.

Features
  • Big City
  • Dorm/Residence hall
  • Homestay
Sydney
  • Sydney, Australia
AACSB and EQUIS ✓
  • Study Program

Choose from hundreds of courses offered in English at University of New South Wales’ suburban Sydney campus.

Features
  • AACSB-Accredited
  • ASU Courses
  • Big City
  • Host Institution
  • Volunteering
sydney harbor full of boats at sunset
  • Sydney, Australia
New for Spring '25
  • Study Program

Take your studies to the heart of dynamic Sydney at Australia’s oldest university: The University of Sydney!

Features
  • ASU Courses
  • Big City
  • Host Institution
sydney aerial view
  • Sydney, Australia
New for Spring '25
  • Study Program

Our trimester program at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney is designed for students seeking a shorter but equally enriching study abroad experience.

Features
  • Big City
  • Host Institution
Sydney
  • Sydney, Australia
  • Study Program
  • Part-Time Internship

Learn about business ethics, corporate structure, fiscal policies while completing a part-time internship in Sydney, Australia’s international hub and capital of innovation

Features
  • ASU Courses
  • Big City
  • Volunteering
Sy
  • Sydney, Australia
  • Study Program
  • Part-Time Internship

...for 1, 2, or 3 term blocks!

Our Open Campus Block program allows you to start studying in Sydney, then study in two other countries in one term

Features
  • ASU Courses
  • Big City
  • Volunteering

Benefits of Studying Language, Literature & Cultural Studies​ Abroad

Go beyond your textbooks

by engaging with the local community firsthand. 

Fast-track your language skills

by studying your language every day.

Learn slang words and phrases

by integrating with the culture that speaks it. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Language, Literature & Cultural Studies​ Study Abroad

We may be a bit biased, but we think CIEE offers some of the best foreign language learning programs that allow students to travel abroad and learn their desired language firsthand. Our most popular foreign language learning programs include:

  1. Summer Global Internship Language Immersion (Barcelona, Spain)
  2. Summer Accelerated Chinese Language (Shanghai, China)
  3. Russian Language + European Studies (Tallinn, Estonia)
  4. Summer Intensive French Language (Rennes, France)
  5. Chinese Language + Asian Studies (Taipei, Taiwan)
  6. Advanced Arabic Language (Amman, Jordan)
  7. Summer Arabic Language (Rabat, Morocco) 

There are several advantages of studying a foreign language, including:

  • Improving brain and memory health
  • Increasing problem-solving skills  
  • Expanding your ability to connect with more people around the world
  • Increasing empathy toward others
  • Helping with personal and career advancement

Check out this TED Talk on 4 reasons to learn a new language by John McWhorter. 

There are many factors that influence how long it may take you to learn a new language, including your environment, dedication to studying, and your existing and desired language level. Depending on the language you want to learn and the level you’d like to reach, experts estimate that it could take anywhere from eight to 92 weeks or more

While the best foreign language to learn is quite subjective, we can provide you with a list of some of the most popular foreign languages to learn (excluding English), based on the number of native speakers.

  • Chinese
  • Hindi
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Arabic
  • Bengali
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Urdu
  • Indonesian
  • German
  • Japanese

CIEE conveniently offers several language learning programs inclusive of many of the languages listed above. Explore all CIEE’s foreign language programs and apply today

Yes, you can absolutely study abroad without knowing the language. With 130+ language, literature, and cultural studies programs across 40+ locations, CIEE offers foreign language courses for all levels of language learners. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced foreign language speaker, you can study language abroad with CIEE!

CIEE offers study abroad language programs across a dozen languages including:

  1. Spanish  
  2. French  
  3. Mandarin  
  4. Arabic  
  5. Korean  
  6. Portuguese  
  7. Japanese
  8. Russian
  9. German
  10. Italian 

And more!

If you're wondering how to study language abroad, there are several ways to do so with CIEE including:

  • Complete language courses at your CIEE Center or partner university
  • Live with a host family and practice daily conversations
  • Engage with the local community through volunteer work
  • & more!

For more detailed information on learning a language abroad, we recommend that you explore individual program pages for course and language information. 

Ready to Study Abroad?

Search Programs    Find Scholarships    Apply Today!