Study Abroad at K
Kalamazoo College set the mold for meaningful international experiences—and no one does it quite like us!
#3
Among all U.S. colleges and universities, K ranks No. 3 for study abroad
2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings
50+
K offers 50+ programs in 25+ countries, plus study away opportunities in Washington, D.C., and New York City.
$349K+
K provided more than $349,000 in awards and supplemental funding to students in 2025-26, helping more students take advantage of study abroad opportunities.
At K, study abroad is designed to work with your education, not around it. It’s built into the K-Plan and integrated into your regular tuition, with programming options for different interests, majors and schedules. Whether you’re a student-athlete, pre-med, pursuing a double major or still exploring, studying abroad can be part of your four years at K.
You’ll do more than visit another country. You’ll live and learn within your host community—taking classes, navigating daily life and getting to know the people and culture around you. Depending on the program, you might also complete an internship, conduct field research, participate in civic engagement or take part in another locally grounded experience that connects what you’re studying with where you’re living.
What Makes us Different
The Abundance of Choices
Study history at archeological sites and landmarks in Greece, learn Arabic and intern at local organizations in Jordan, work on community development projects in Senegal, gain first-hand knowledge of environmental studies by traveling through Thailand, or hone your art in New York City!
Kalamazoo College offers 50+ unique programs in 25+ countries, each varying in length, living arrangement, academic focus, and language usage. So, whether you want to be abroad for one, two or three terms, stay with a host family or in student housing, narrow your studies to a specific topic or take general courses, or take classes in English or in a foreign language, there is a program for you.
The Depth of Experience
Regardless of which program you choose, you will have an enriching experience. At K, we do not want you to just be a tourist, we want you to fully embrace your new community and its culture.
This level of immersion is possible because we offer longer study abroad opportunities than most typical college programs—ranging from a single term (three months) to a full academic year (nine months). And more importantly, we make sure you integrate yourself while you are there: language and culture courses, College-organized trips and tours, and local guides and host families. Many of our programs even include an internship, civic engagement or a Hornet Intercultural Project that’s connected to your academic, professional, extracurricular or personal interests. Past student projects include hosting a German radio show, teaching at a Japanese elementary school, and working at a queer community center in Ecuador.
Making Study Abroad Possible
Can I afford to study abroad?
Study abroad is built into your tuition at K, and your K financial aid can be applied toward your program cost. Additional funding is also available for students who need help with expenses such as travel or passport fees, or to replace wages they would otherwise earn through work-study.
What if I’ve never traveled abroad before?
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Our staff can help with everything from writing your application essay and getting a passport to applying for a visa and budgeting for your time abroad.
What kind of support will I have while I’m abroad?
Support doesn’t end when you leave campus. Many programs have a local director who can help you register for courses, find internships, plan field trips and navigate questions and coordinate any additional support you may need.
What if I’m the first in my family to go to college?
The Global Hornet Program connects first-generation college students with students who have already studied abroad. They can share practical advice, answer questions and help you know what to expect from someone who has been there.
Preparing You for a Lifetime of Global Citizenship
Ten Days Opened a World
An immersive program in the Dominican Republic became a first step into global learning for 23 K students. Led by faculty, students lived with host families in Santiago de los Caballeros and navigated daily academic life in Spanish. Through lectures, guided visits and hands-on experiences, they explored the country’s culture, economy and history—reshaping how they see the world and themselves.
Opportunities Beyond Graduation
In 2026, eleven recent graduates and one faculty member earned Fulbright awards, selection to the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) and a Lafayette Fellowship. For each recipient, the coming year is a chance to engage the world as a contributor—whether researching Costa Rican science, exploring medieval mysticism in Parisian archives or helping Austrian and French students build English skills.
SIP Funding Abroad
The opportunity to spend time abroad is not limited just to your terms studying away. For example, Rachel Kramer ‘23 received CIP funding to research health inequities and Neglected Tropical Diseases in Ghana for her SIP. There she spent 10 weeks working with local scientists at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani conducting field research.