Our Favorite Places to Study Abroad

At this point, it's a cliché that college is a time to "find yourself," but things become clichés because they're true! And maybe even more cliché is the idea of "finding yourself" while studying abroad. Well, we believe in that too, and we want to give you a couple of our favorite options for studying abroad. From beautiful cities to breathtaking landscapes, these are a few great places to study abroad.

We should say before we get started that just because a place doesn't make it on our list doesn't mean it's not a great place to go. We only have so much space on our list, and the world is full of amazing study abroad opportunities.

The List: The Best Places to Study Abroad

Europe

We'll start this list off with some of our favorite places in Europe. For linguistic, geographic, and cultural reasons, Europe is one of the most popular destinations for students studying abroad, but within that relatively tiny continent, you have almost too many options to speak of. To that end, we've tried to narrow it down to a few of our favorites and a couple reasons why.

Greece

Beaches, ancient ruins, great food, year-round sunshine-it's hard to go wrong with Greece. Whether you're in the ancient capital of Athens, the Byzantine port city of Thessaloniki, or any of the many beautiful islands scattered around the tiny peninsula's shores, there are great experiences to be had. Tons of students from the United States study there every year, and while being a classical studies major certainly makes Greece an easy top choice, there's much to do for students of any persuasion. Hot tip: surrounding Athens are tons of gorgeous islands that aren't as famous and touristy, so if you're looking for a fun weekend activity, hop on a ferry at Piraeus and spend the day at Aegina, Agkistri, or any other of the many choices available to you.

France

Ah, Paris. The City of Love! Paris has an allure in our imaginations that few other cities in the world can match, and is it any mystery? The city is bursting with gorgeous architecture and world famous landmarks as well as a world-class food and café culture. And who can forget all of the museums that make the city an art lover's dream destination? But France is a huge country and we shouldn't stop at Paris. Cities like Nice, Orleans, Lyons, and Marseille all offer something unique, whether it's the stately urban beauty that France is known for or the relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere usually more associated with their neighbors in Italy and Spain. And no matter what they tell you, don't be afraid: French people are kind and welcoming to foreigners so long as you're polite yourself. It doesn't hurt to speak French, but many people in the country's major urban centers speak English and are happy to talk with you in your native tongue.

The Netherlands

If you want to go somewhere where English-language proficiency is a virtual guarantee, The Netherlands is your best bet outside of the Anglosphere. Partially owing to the linguistic proximity of Dutch and English, the Netherlands has some of the highest English proficiency of any country that doesn't use English as an official language. There are a handful of cities to choose from in the Netherlands, but the most famous by far is the capital of Amsterdam. Known for its beautiful architecture, stunning Venice-like canals, and tolerant culture, Amsterdam is a sure bet for a great semester abroad. And outside of that historic capital, you've got the gleaming modern metropolis of Rotterdam not too far away or the smaller but no less gorgeous city of Utrecht available to you.

Italy

I mean, come on. We couldn't do this whole list and just not talk about Italy! Italian food needs no introduction, but we have to give props to it here. You've got pasta, pizza, and great sandwiches of course, but every city in Italy has its own unique regional delicacies that are all to die for. From unique styles of pizza to regional pasta dishes as well as a robust seafood culture all along the peninsula's coast, there's almost too much variety to stomach. And perhaps more than any other country on this list, Italy really does have an amazing list of cities catering to just about every niche. You've got the bustling capital of Rome for those looking for the fast-paced life, the historic Florence for the artistically minded, the chic Milan for the fashionista, or the beautiful Venice for those who can't get the iconic canal city out of their minds, and that's barely even scratching the surface. No wonder so many people spend their semester abroad there!

Beyond Europe

We focused on Europe because it's so popular with American students, but we wanted to give some options outside of there for those who are even more adventurous.

Japan

With a language so far removed from English and a culture that feels exceptionally foreign, Japan can be a tough choice for some, but we know that there are some people who would die to head on over to the Land of the Rising Sun. For the many people obsessed with Japanese culture (whether from pop culture like anime and J-pop or the rich tapestry that is Japanese history), Japan has a draw unmatched by any other country. Tokyo is the obvious choice as the largest metropolitan area in the world (over 40,000,000 people live there!), but you can also head to the quieter and more historic Kyoto or any of the many other smaller, more rural cities that dot the countryside. If Japan is on your radar, we don't need to sell it to you, so we trust that you'll make it there if it's your dream!

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has become a major tourist destination specifically for Eco-Tourism, which is exactly what it sounds like. This tiny country in Central America is replete with dense, beautiful jungles each more full of exotic birds, sloths, and monkeys than the last. There's great food and fun cities as well, and given the number of Spanish speakers in the United States, this one also won't necessarily be as big of a language barrier as many other options (just so long as you brush up on your high school Spanish!). Costa Rica has plenty to offer, but it's definitely best for the nature-inclined, so if you want to explore some of the New World's most beautiful jungles, Costa Rica is the right spot for you.

South Korea

Korean culture has exploded in the United States in recent years through the massive popularity of K-Pop and K-Dramas as well as high profile cultural sensations like Squid Game and the Oscar-winning Parasite, and interest in studying in South Korea has come along as a result. The capital city of Seoul is massive and feels like the city of the future, and with such a dynamic and futuristic environment, there are plenty of study abroad programs that could fit with whatever you're studying. There are some barriers to entry in that Korean is a tough language for English speakers to learn and that Korean culture can feel very different from American culture, but if it's your dream to spend some time there, you shouldn't let that stop you!

How College Rover Can Help

College Rover keeps track of all the most up-to-date data about American colleges to help you make the right choice about where to spend your next four years. We're just keeping track of the best places to study abroad for fun and to get you excited about college. But if you haven't made your choice yet or are just getting started on this process, we've got all the resources you need to make the right decision.