Short-term Faculty-led Programs

• Qualified teaching faculty,
• Classroom Space
• Internships
• Service-Learning
• Expert guest lectures
• Industry site visits

• Housing
• Social activities and meals
• Excursions, Cultural events and activities
• Transportation

• Program Assistant accompaniment at all CIEE-led activities
• Orientation
• Global and local risk management
• 24/7 Emergency response plan
• Insurance coverage

• Program design and planning support
• Enrollment services
• Pre-departure orientation
• Evaluations
• Centralized billing 

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Faculty-led study abroad programs are academic programs organized and led by university or college faculty members. These programs typically involve a group of students traveling together to another country for a specific period, usually a few weeks to a few months. The faculty-led model allows for an integrated and cohesive educational experience, as students and faculty share the learning journey in a foreign environment.

CIEE can be a partner for the faculty leader when it comes to enhancing the academic curriculum, coordinating logistics, and providing guidance and support to students throughout the program. CIEE can also utilize our networks and expertise to ensure the program makes full use of the city by combining classroom instruction with cultural immersion and field experiences. 

In the context of study abroad, a faculty-led program involves a group of students traveling to another country, typically for a specific academic experience, and being guided by a faculty member from their own institution.

CIEE can be a partner for the faculty leader when it comes to enhancing the academic curriculum, coordinating logistics, and providing guidance and support to students throughout the program. CIEE can also utilize our networks and expertise to ensure the program makes full use of the city by combining classroom instruction with cultural immersion and field experiences. 

Faculty-led programs can vary widely in duration, focus, and destination, but they all share the common characteristic of being led by a faculty member who integrates academic content with real-world experiences in a foreign or unfamiliar setting. 

From our conversations with program leaders with whom we’ve worked, we hear that leading a custom study abroad program can be a rewarding experience for several reasons: 

1. Direct Involvement in Student Learning: Faculty have the opportunity to design and shape the curriculum, ensuring that it aligns with their expertise and academic goals. This hands-on involvement allows for a more direct impact on students' learning experiences.
2. Cultural Immersion: Faculty-led programs often involve cultural immersion and experiential learning, providing a unique opportunity for both students and faculty to engage with a different culture. This can lead to personal and professional growth for everyone involved.
3. Building Relationships: Leading a study abroad program fosters close relationships between faculty and students. The shared experiences and challenges create a strong bond, and faculty can serve as mentors and guides for students navigating the complexities of international travel and study.
4. Professional Development: Designing and leading a custom study abroad program can contribute to faculty members' professional development. It allows them to expand their teaching methods, adapt to different learning environments, and gain international perspectives in their field.
5. Promoting Global Citizenship: Faculty-led programs contribute to the development of global citizens. Experiencing different cultures firsthand can foster cross-cultural understanding, tolerance, and awareness of global issues, all of which are valuable qualities in today's interconnected world.
6. Networking Opportunities: Collaborating with international institutions and professionals can open up networking opportunities for faculty. It can lead to research collaborations, academic partnerships, and a broader professional network.
7. Enhancing Institutional Reputation: Successful custom study abroad programs can enhance the reputation of the educational institution. Institutions that prioritize and support faculty-led initiatives demonstrate a commitment to providing diverse and enriching educational experiences for their students.

Faculty-led study abroad programs offer numerous benefits for both students and faculty members:

1. Personalized Learning: Faculty can tailor the curriculum to align with their expertise and the specific goals of the program, creating a more personalized and meaningful learning experience for students.
2. Cultural Immersion: Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture, enhancing their understanding of global perspectives and fostering cross-cultural communication skills.
3. Experiential Learning: These programs often incorporate hands-on and experiential learning opportunities, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. This can deepen their understanding of academic concepts.
4. Faculty-Student Relationships: Faculty-led programs facilitate close interactions between faculty members and students. The shared experiences during the program can strengthen the faculty-student relationship, providing students with mentorship and guidance.
5. Professional Development: Faculty members gain professional development opportunities by designing, organizing, and leading study abroad programs. They can expand their teaching methods, develop cross-cultural competencies, and enhance their research interests through international exposure.
6. Global Networking: Faculty-led programs often involve collaboration with international organizations and contacts, creating opportunities for networking, research partnerships, and academic collaborations on a global scale.
7. Enhanced Cultural Competency: Both students and faculty members can develop increased cultural competency and a more nuanced understanding of global issues by navigating a foreign environment and interacting with diverse communities.
8. Increased Confidence: The challenges of navigating a foreign country and adapting to new environments can boost students' confidence, independence, and resilience. These skills are valuable in both academic and professional settings.
9. Enhanced Language Skills: For programs in non-English speaking countries, students may have the chance to improve their language skills through immersion, contributing to their overall language proficiency.
10. Global Citizenship: Faculty-led study abroad programs contribute to the development of globally minded and socially responsible citizens who are aware of and engaged with global challenges and opportunities.
11. Institutional Reputation: Successful and well-designed faculty-led programs can enhance the reputation of the educational institution, showcasing its commitment to providing diverse and high-quality educational experiences. 

Developing international faculty-led programs involves careful planning, collaboration, and attention to various logistical and educational aspects. At CIEE, we are here to help you navigate this process through the following steps: 

1. Share Your Vision – Consider program basics and goals using  our Program Development Questionnaire (link) as a guide. Once you have submitted, your dedicated CIEE Custom Program Manager will be in touch to further discuss your program.
2. Develop and Commit – Review and discuss CIEE’s proposal and itinerary for your program, with your CIEE Custom Program Manager to ensure it meets your academic goals and budget.
3. Spread the Word – Once your program is approved by your institution, make use of our Program Promotion Toolkit to support student marketing and recruitment.
4. Fine-tune the Details – Collaborate and communicate with your CIEE Custom Program Manager and on-site staff to ensure you're satisfied with every detail.  
5. Begin the Pre-departure Process – Submit your participant list, attend a final itinerary walk-through, and complete an online pre-departure orientation.
6. Embark and Enjoy – CIEE staff welcome you on-site and provide an orientation.
7. Return and Reflect – Connect with your CIEE Custom Program Manager to begin planning for next year! 

TAKE THE FIRST STEP