Finding Your Study Abroad Program

Destination? Four-weeks or quarter-long? Homestay or apartment?

There are a lot of options and decisions when it comes to finding the right study abroad program for your goals and interests. 

The LCC International Programs Office is here to help! Schedule a Study Abroad Advising appointment with LCC International Programs or attend a Study Abroad 101 Workshop for resources and tips for finding your program!

Below are some of the options available for you. Explore these options and chat with us!

Program Types

There are different types of study abroad programs. These types of programs can include, but are not limited to:

• Faculty-led: Faculty from the college/university travel with a group of students abroad, faculty teaches the group in English, and the students earn course credit from their home college/university. Faculty-led programs can be term length or short-term. Examples include programs from the Washington State Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA). 
• Provider Programs: Study Abroad Providers are organizations in which students can find a program based on their desired goals (destination, duration, subject, etc.), and enroll with the provider. Students should consult their home college/university's study abroad office on how their study abroad courses will impact their academic plan (degree requirement fulfillment, etc.) and funding sources (financial aid, etc). Examples include CIEE and IFSA. 
• Exchange Programs: Reciprocal programs between college/universities and/or governments. Examples include Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX). 
• Direct Enroll: The direct enroll option is when students withdraw from their home college/university and directly enroll in a foreign university. Similar with provider programs, students should consult their home college/university's study abroad office on how their study abroad courses will impact their academic plan (degree requirement fulfillment, etc.) and funding sources (financial aid, etc).

Washington State Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA) Programs

LCC Students have the unique opportunity to take classes abroad that are taught by Washington State Community College faculty and earn credit at LCC. This opportunity is through the WCCCSA. Programs are offered during fall, winter, spring, and summer quarters. For the most current dates and details of WCCCSA programs, please visit the WCCCSA website at www.wcccsa.com. Questions about WCCCSA programs can be directed to international@lowercolumbia.edu.

Provider Programs

The following study abroad providers are external organizations with no direct partnership or affiliation with Lower Columbia College. These are organizations suggested by the LCC International Programs Office based on their excellent history of supporting students. 

Connect with LCC International Programs before you enroll in an external study abroad program to discuss how your LCC financial aid may apply, how to register for your study abroad courses, and how academic credit will appear on your LCC transcript.

CIEE

CIEE, a nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization, offers a variety of college study abroad programs covering semester, summer, and January terms. You can search CIIE programs based on location and academic discipline. 

ISEP

ISEP offers various opportunities including Summer Programs, ISEP Direct, and Internships. LCC is not currently an ISEP Member or Affiliate, which limits your access for ISEP Exchange. You can search ISEP Programs by location and academic discipline.

Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA)

The Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) offers personalized advising and support for your study abroad experience, from helping you find the right program to supporting your questions while you are abroad. IFSA has a belief that every student is unique and has a deep commitment to making study abroad accessible.

IES Abroad

IES Abroad is a not-for-profit study abroad and internship provider with a mission of putting students first. Offering 130+ programs to fit a wide range of academic needs at over 30 destinations, students can find the right program for them.

Expanish

Expanish Spanish School offers a holistic, award-winning language learning experience in Spain and Argentina. We offer a range of Spanish courses, different types of accommodation, interactive cultural classes, social activities, and internship programs to travelers from around the globe. 

Special Programs

Immersive Summer Programs / French Bootcamps

Community College in France (CCF) is a transatlantic initiative and commitment between the U.S. Department of State and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to increase and diversify student mobility between the U.S. and France. These short-term programs are available to LCC students, faculty, and staff.

Rennes School of Business (France)

Rennes School of Business, located in Rennes, France, is the most international business school in France, as 90% of faculty and over 50% of our 5,000 students come from all over the world to take part in our unique academic project. This school has been rewarded internationally for academic excellence with triple-crown accreditation by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. This school is also accredited by the U.S Department of Education and FAFSA Eligible. Business classes are offered taught in English.

LCC has a 2+1 partnership with the Rennes School of Business. Students who graduate from LCC with an Associates Degree with a Business focus are eligible to enroll at the Rennes School of Business and complete a Bachelor's degree within one year. This partnership includes an application fee waiver, tuition discount, and additional benefits for LCC alums. Contact the LCC International Programs Office or Business Department for details.

The Rennes School of Business offers two-week summer programs - open for all students! Applications are open between January and April 2025. Learn about 2025 Summer Program options at www.rennes-sb.com/all-our-summer-programmes/

ASL Travels to... France (June 2026)

ASL Travels To...France is a 12-day educational tour for participants to learn Deaf Culture, French Sign Language, and History in France. This program is led by LCC Instructor, Mary DeGraaf, and will occur in late June 2026. This program is open to LCC students, faculty, and staff. ASL Travels To...France is offered in partnership with EF Educational Tours and includes a combined group of participants from LCC and high school students from Longview Public Schools. Information sessions will be offered quarterly on the LCC campus starting in Winter 2025. Application deadline is early 2026. Additional information is available on the ASL Travels To... website.