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!

You can begin your journey by:

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, the faculty teach 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 colleges/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).

Faculty-led Washington State Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA)

LCC is a member of the Washington State Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA). This enables LCC students to travel with a group of peers from Washington state community colleges, take courses taught in English by Washington state community college faculty, and remain enrolled at LCC.

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. To learn more about WCCCSA programs, please contact international@lowercolumbia.edu.

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.

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. 

  • 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.

  • AIFS Abroad


    Choose from a wide range of program options that appeal to various majors and motivations for going abroad – from academic study abroad programs at some of the world’s top universities to full-time internships and short-term language and cultural immersion programs. 

  • 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.

  • 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. 

Exchange & Sponsor Programs

Exchange Programs are reciprocal programs between colleges/universities and/or governments. Sponsored Programs provide financial support from organizations or governments to cover the expenses of studying and living abroad. Exchange and Sponsored programs often have a competitive, selection admissions process.  Here are a few examples:

  • Germany:  Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals


    Intern and work in Germany for 1 year (limited to ages 18 ½ - 24) (full academic year)

    Application is open September - November for year before the program. For example, to November 1, 2025 was the application deadline for the 2026-2027 program.

    The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX) is a fellowship funded by the German Bundestag and U.S. Department of State, that annually provides 75 American and 75 German young professionals, between the ages of 18½–24, the opportunity to a one year exchange studying, interning, and living with hosts on a cultural immersion program.

  • Ireland: Frederick Douglass Global Scholars Summer Ireland Program


    Travel with a cohort of other students to Dublin, Ireland from July 11 - August 6th (these dates could change). Requirements: The program invites applications from students who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and are from ethnic backgrounds typically underrepresented on study abroad programs.

    Applications for the 2026 program are due January 9, 2026.

    The program explores the impact that effective leaders have had on social justice movements and critical peace and conflict resolution efforts around the world. Frederick Douglass Global Fellows will explore conflict and injustice from various perspectives and the leaders who sought to affect positive change for their communities and their countries.

  • Summer Critical Language Scholarship Program

    Spend 10 - 12 weeks in the summer studying a language of critical need. Most languages offered by the CLS Program (9 of 15) do not require applicants to have any experience studying critical languages. View the previous language requirements for applicants.

    Applications for Summer 2026 are due in November 2025. Decisions will be announced in early 2026. 

Special Programs

The following Special Programs are opportunities available to Lower Columbia College students through our global partnerships.

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 and taught in English.

LCC has a 2+1 partnership with the Rennes School of Business. Students who graduate from LCC with an Associate's 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 alumni. 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 more about 2025 Summer Program options.

Short-Term Programs

Short-Term Programs are approximately 1-4 weeks outside the United States. Short-Term programs could be Faculty-led, Direct Enroll, or Program Provider. Here are a few opportunities for Lower Columbia College students. 

Shoreline College’s Nursing in Ecuador – June 2026

LCC’s sister college, Shoreline College, offers a nursing service abroad program. This program involves an online one-credit Spring quarter course and a ten day in-country travel after the Spring quarter ends. It is designed for students in LPN and RN programs. Details are available on the Shoreline website:  Nursing in Ecuador June 2026 | Shoreline Community College.   

Universidad Xochicalco (Mexico) – March & June 2026

The Universidad Xochicalco, and its U.S.-based center for international education (Ceneu), offer a variety of study abroad programs, including their popular Spanish Immersion Program and Medical Spanish Immersion Program. These one-week and two-week programs are all inclusive programs with instruction, native-speaking peer mentors, hands-on education, clinical visits, and fun social activities. 

The 2026 short-term programs are available during LCC’s spring break and after spring quarter. The 2026 program fee includes everything from housing, meals, instruction, workbooks, transportation, and more! Visit the program webpage, and/or contact international@lowercolumbia.edu for details.

Contact International Programs

The office is open for students and visitors Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Fridays 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Pacific Standard Time (UTC-8:00). Office hours during the breaks may differ, and the campus is closed on Fridays during the Summer session.

International Programs Office

  Alan Thompson Library (LIB) 110
  (360) 442-2310
  international@lowercolumbia.edu

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