Unlock a Pipeline of College-Ready Students
Reach Your Enrollment Goals with CIEE College First Year Abroad
CIEE College First Year Abroad (CFYA) is a world-class start to a student’s college experience. This unique college pathway allows students to launch their undergraduate studies overseas in one of 11 cities, earn 12-14 credits from an accredited institution, then transfer back to a college of their choice.
Research shows:
- Traditional colleges promise preparation, but fewer than 1 in 10 employers, students, and parents believe graduates are equipped with the real-world experiences they need
- Students with study abroad backgrounds develop invaluable skills that help them succeed in college and beyond
- By starting their higher education journey abroad, students gain the confidence, global perspective, and critical-thinking schools needed in today’s world
When they return, students bring their newly developed worldview, independence, and maturity directly into your classrooms.
Benefits of Partnering with CIEE for College First Year AbroadÂ
Boost Enrollment with Globally Prepared Candidates
College First Year Abroad creates a seamless pathway for students to transfer into your institution. By referring students in your admissions pipeline, you can keep them engaged while increasing the likelihood they will enroll with you upon return – with no additional recruitment cost.
Strengthen Your Admissions Pipeline and Reduce Costs
College First Year Abroad students arrive prepared for higher education with proven academic performance, confidence, and independence gained from their time abroad. This means your admissions team can enroll stronger, more committed students who are more likely to persist. 
Improve Persistence with College-Ready Students
CIEE offers hundreds of the most popular first year courses, so students arrive on your campus on track and ready to persist. Official transcripts with 12-14 credits come from Tulane University, CIEE’s School of Record, or our partner for online education, Arizona State University.
Your Gateway to Students from Top U.S. High Schools
CIEE attracts students from diverse backgrounds and top high schools nationwide. These students – already distinguished by global experience – become your strongest college applicants.
College Admissions Leaders - Pick Your Best CIEE Partnership Option
CIEE College FYA Referral Partner
Refer waitlisted or prospective students to CIEE College First Year Abroad to keep them engaged, reduce recruitment costs, and ensure a high-quality first-year experience that seamlessly transitions to transfer admission at your institution.
CIEE College FYA Transfer Partner
Recruit globally minded students after their CIEE College First Year Abroad experience by sharing your transfer admissions terms – we’ll guide them to apply to your college and transfer credits toward their degree at your institution.
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CIEE College FYA Custom Program Partner
Address capacity challenges by creating a custom First Year program abroad through CIEE College First Year Abroad – leveraging our global network of 45 locations, faculty, and courses to deliver your curriculum in a tailored, cost-effective way.
CIEE College FYA Admissions Access Partner
CIEE College First Year Abroad Admissions Access partners are introduced to CIEE’s 8,000 high school study abroad alumni and over 30,000 current high school students who apply to CIEE’s high school study abroad programs each year. It is an exceptional way to showcase your college to a large group of globally minded, high-achieving high school students.
High School Pipeline
G.P.A.
Average High school GPA of our student pipeline
Student Diversity
Percent of our students that identify as a minority
College Plans
Percent of our High school alumni that plan to attend college
College First Year Abroad Programs
- Copenhagen, Denmark
Explore museums, castles, and the palace of Queen Margrethe.
- London, England
Enjoy access to eight royal parks in the heart of the city and more green space than any comparable location in the world.
Madrid, where tapas are a highlight of local café tables, soccer cheers echo from Santiago Bernabéu, and lively plazas hum with music and conversation.
Explore unforgettable sites from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe.
- Prague, Czech Republic
Visit cobblestone streets, historic bridges, and a castle overlooking dozens of churches, squares, and green spaces.
- Rome, Italy
Explore the world’s most breathtaking cultural destinations like the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and Saint Peter’s Basilica.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
Discover the diversity of Buenos Aires, a melting pot of different cultures with immigrants from all over the globe.
- Merida, Mexico
Surrounded by Mayan ruins, colorful markets, and the warmth of Yucatán life, Mérida offers an extraordinary backdrop.
- Monteverde, Costa Rica
Live on the edge of the world-famous Costa Rican cloud forest.
Japan’s most historic city and the hub of traditional old-world culture.
Combine your dreams of travel and university by spending your first year in Seoul, South Korea’s dynamic capital.