Study Abroad

* long-term programs

**programs available for 2025-2026

Immersed and Integrated

An international experience is about learning through a new and different lens. Many schools rely on third-party programs or house their own programs at special institutes devoted specifically to American students. By contrast, Holy Cross students normally enroll directly at their host institutions, where their experience mirrors that of local students. This is just one way that studying abroad immerses students as completely as possible into the intellectual and cultural fabric of their host countries. Here are a few others:

• From Ecuador to Sri Lanka, Dublin to Rome, our programs offer ways to connect with the local culture — not simply interact with other Americans. This leads to a more authentic experience and deeper understanding of their host country.
• Holy Cross students typically take full advantage of their time abroad by enrolling in a yearlong program — in fact, we hold the number one ranking for long-term study abroad among baccalaureate institutions. An extended time frame affords greater opportunities for students to acclimate to the culture of their host country and form strong connections with new classmates and friends.
• In many programs, students live with host families who share meals with them, introduce them to local customs, and provide a sense of belonging.
• During their time abroad, Holy Cross students tackle an Independent Cultural Immersion Project (ICIP), which gives them the opportunity to explore the culture of their host country in depth.

The educational advantages of living and learning abroad — and its effect on students’ personal growth — are profound. Participants develop greater levels of self-confidence and independence, grow their capacity to connect with people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs, and gain newfound perspective on their home country as well. Holy Cross also maintains close ties with our partner institutions to help ensure that students’ international learning experiences integrate with our curriculum. Students studying abroad advance their majors, minors, and concentrations, and continue to fulfill Holy Cross common area requirements.