Tired of the same-old same-old at your local uni? It doesn’t have to be this way! Take a break for a semester, summer, or even an entire year by choosing study abroad programs in another part of the world. When it comes to studying abroad, where should you go? Forget the Old World and get a whiff of fresh air at top universities the New World instead!
The sky’s the limit when it comes to studying abroad in the Americas!
The Americas continue to be one of the most popular destinations for international students. Students who want to join multicultural campuses at world-ranked colleges usually head to the US and Canada. Those who want to get fluent in Spanish or Portuguese study abroad in South America. On the other hand, Central America tends to attract peeps who want to study in Latin America, but without being overwhelmed by the vast continent to the south.
The Americas are definitely your oyster when it comes to study abroad programs. You can learn almost anything: engineering, dance, even the culinary arts. The region is also a treasure trove for students who get itchy travel feet. There are lot of places to explore, from the Statue of Liberty and Chitzen Itza in the North to Machu Picchu and Patagonia in the South. Also, don’t forget the lovely islands of the Caribbean Sea to experience a mish mash of Old and New World cultures!
The GoAbroad community has spoken. Here are the 10 hottest and best places to study abroad in the Americas in 2018.
1. United States
Stop building walls and build bridges while studying abroad in the US.
With high-ranking universities in all of its 50 states, study abroad USA never disappoints. New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco are some of the best student cities in USA. This vast country also has locations perfect for sun seekers, ski bunnies, hipsters, and foodies. If you speak English, rest easy because it’s the main language of instruction at universities in the US. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t also pick up a foreign language on any American university campus, especially Spanish. For Americans, too—consider study abroad programs here which will give you the chance to explore a new region of your home country.
Recommended program: Study in Hawaii with CISabroad
See ALL study abroad programs in the United States
2. Canada
Where will studying in Canada lead you?
Like it’s loud neighbor to the south, Canada is one of the best places to study abroad in North America. International students are drawn to its wide open spaces, rugged beauty, and pro-immigration policies. Study almost any subject in popular student cities in Canada including Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver. On the other hand, if you’d like to immerse yourself in the French language and culture, forget Paris and try universities in Montreal and Quebec City, eh?
Recommended program: Study French in Quebec with Edu-inter
See ALL study abroad programs in Canada
3. Cuba
Step back in time while studying abroad in Havana!
Want to explore a Caribbean island that still feels very vintage and unspoiled? Try Cuba! Leave your misconceptions at the airport and explore one of the most misunderstood countries in the Western Hemisphere. Most students study in the sunny capital of Havana where you can practica tu español with some of the friendliest people around. Popular study abroad subjects include Latin American studies, politics, and international relations.
Recommended program: Study in Havana with USAC
See ALL study abroad programs in Cuba
4. Costa Rica
Have you ever seen water this blue?! Studying in Costa Rica is just fabulous.
If you’d like to experience a laid-back culture, study in Latin America in Costa Rica. In this study abroad Central America destination, the classroom outside is equally important so you could find yourself tracking sloths in the rainforest, hitting the waves, or speaking Spanish with Ticos in the local market. Choose to study conservation and sustainable development in San Jose, the capital, Heredia, a popular university town, or Monteverde, home of the cloud forest.
Recommended program: Study in San Jose with CEA Study Abroad
See ALL study abroad programs in Costa Rica
5. Dominican Republic
Prepare yourself for fresh, tropical fruit smoothies on the reg.
Like Cuba, the Dominican Republic is perfect for students who want to learn Spanish as they study in Latin America. This Caribbean island also promises lots of white sand beaches, nightclubs, and mountains to help you re-focus when you’re tired of staring at a computer screen all day. Popular study abroad options in Santiago and Santo Domingo (the capital and birthplace of Junot Diaz) include business, service learning, and language immersion classes.
Recommended program: Study in Santiago with ISA
See ALL study abroad programs in the Dominican Republic
6. Brazil
See the world in full-color while studying abroad in Brazil.
The largest country on the continent promises more than futebol, samba, and beach bums (literally bums—nudity is? here). When it comes to higher learning, Brazil is, hands down, the home of the best universities in Latin America. Study abroad in South America could mean exploring the Amazon basin, volunteering in Rio’s favelas, or rubbing shoulders with business folk in São Paulo. Consider study abroad programs if you’d like to coordinate a homestay, have intensive Portuguese classes, knock out some credits, and have weekly excursions and romp-abouts organized for you.
Recommended program: Study abroad in Brazil with IES Abroad
See ALL study abroad programs in Brazil
7. Mexico
Immerse yourself in a Mexican city while studying abroad.
Forget what the movies teach you about Mexico. It’s not just a place for drunk American spring breakers, mariachi bands, or drug deals gone sour. Challenge your stereotypes! In fact, it is considered one of the best Latin American countries to learn Spanish. You’ll never get bored studying here—it has more than 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to wander about! Let your Latin America study abroad experience take you to the heart of Mexico City, Guadalajara, or Puebla.
Recommended program: Study abroad in Mexico with Augsburg University
See ALL study abroad programs in Mexico
8. Argentina
One of the most underrated parts of studying abroad? Double the holidays & festivals!
Argentinians love their football, steak, wine, and tango, and you will too if you study in Latin America. Hop on the study abroad Latin America train to popular study abroad destinations like Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Mendoza. Study art history, economics, and finance in one of the best places to study abroad in South America. Be sure to travel the length and breadth of the world’s eighth largest country, not forgetting Patagonia and Iguazu Falls.
Recommended program: Study abroad in Buenos Aires with AIFS
See ALL study abroad programs in Argentina
9. Ecuador
There’s more to Ecuador than meets the eye.
Dying to study abroad in South America? Try a country that has it all: Andean mountains, Amazonian rainforest, beaches, and the most unique eco destination in the world! Ecuador is also one of the best places to study abroad in South America because it has locations to suit almost any student. Study in colonial architectural gems like Quito and Guayaquil or help conserve species you won’t find anywhere on the planet on the Galapagos. While you’re there, forget about Nibbles back home for a while and try the local specialty, guinea pig!
Recommended program: Study Abroad in Quito with Boston University Study Abroad
See ALL study abroad programs in Ecuador
10. Peru
This is a pretty badass classroom if you ask us.
If you’re drooling over pisco sours instead of caipirinhas, Peru is the place to study abroad in South America. Peru is also one of the best places to study abroad in South America because Peruvians speak Spanish with the purest accent on the continent. The home of the once powerful Incan empire also has the most popular destination on the gram: Machu Picchu. Study Peruvian history and culture, business, and linguistics in Lima, Cusco, or Arequipa.
Recommended program: Study in Peru with Maximo Nivel
See ALL study abroad programs in Peru
A note from GoAbroad
We’d like to thank our community for not only inspiring us daily, but for also giving us enough insight to share accurate predictions for meaningful travel in 2018.
Learn more about our research methodology, recommended programs, and links here.
Browse more of this year's report on top destinations for international study
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