Study abroad education programs typically last one month, one semester or one year. One-month programs --- often a summer or winter program to coincide with universities' summer and winter breaks --- serve as an extended visit and are designed as an introduction to a country or topic. One-year programs allow for a greater range of experiences while students temporarily live in a new country. One-semester programs are an intermediate option, allowing the student greater opportunities for exposure to the host country than a one-month program, but obviously less exposure than a one-year program.
Most study abroad education programs can be classified as independent, integrated or mixed. In independent programs, students attend a university, study center or study program designed specifically for American students. Course topics may cover the host culture or the host culture's language, but the student body is made up of similar students and interaction with members of the host culture is minimal. In integrated programs, study abroad students take classes with students of the host culture, normally at a regular university, and are often the only American in each class. In mixed programs, students have the option to take classes designed for Americans in combination with classes for host country students. This may or may not include other classes or tutorials to help study abroad students with their integrated classes.
Many universities require that study abroad students have earned at least junior status before embarking on a study abroad program. Some programs require participants to be studying certain majors while other programs are available to students from any major.
During their time abroad, students in study abroad education programs typically take classes related to their major, language classes or classes they are simply interested in or perhaps don't have the opportunity to take at their home university. Before departing, students are generally required to meet with an academic adviser to map how their studies abroad will further their academic goals with the university.
Study abroad education programs are organized by different providers. The first type of provider is a university that directly organizes programs for its own students, particularly with an international branch campus. The second type of provider is a university consortium. Some universities form consortia to offer study abroad education programs to their collective group of students. California State Universities' year-long study abroad education programs are one example of this type. The third type of provider is the third-party provider, normally a private company or organization. In this case, the credits earned during the study abroad program may or may not transfer to the student's regular university. Students interested in studying with a third-party provider's program should first consult their university regarding transferring credits.