Although the travel game has changed in the Covid era, reading reviews and doing the research about your potential program abroad is as important as ever—if not more so! Learning about others’ experiences with an organization abroad can give you the insight you need to make your final decision about where (and how) to go abroad.
Last year was unprecedented (you’ve heard that one before, right?), but it didn’t stop travelers from pursuing education abroad and online. We’ve gathered and analyzed experiences from past participants* to determine last year’s top rated organizations and online programs of 2020. If you’re thinking seriously about traveling this year or investing in an online program, this list will serve as an excellent launching point!
Top Rated Organizations of 2020
If you’ve been trying to find your dream program abroad for more than five minutes, then you already know that there are hundreds upon hundreds of choices out there. The sheer amount of options can be overwhelming! How in the world are you supposed to discern the good from the great? Well, looking at organizations with top ratings first can make your life a whole lot easier (Pro Tip: Using your MyGoAbroad account is a simple way to visually compare programs like these side by side!).
Top Rated Study Abroad Organizations of 2020
1. ARALAND Abroad
"Academics in Morocco were awesome, but this was not the only thing that I enjoyed there. Based on the medium that I live in where everyone around me including me is fond of delicious food." - Simon May, ARALAND Abroad Alumni
2. IFSA, Institute for Study Abroad
"My main goal for my study abroad experience was to immerse myself in a new culture in whatever way I could. Attending Trinity College with IFSA gave me the best of both worlds because I was able to romp around a new city, while feeling safe and secure." - Claire Michelle, IFSA, Institute for Study Abroad Alumni
3. CIEE
"I think CIEE is a wonderful organization to study abroad with. They are experienced and that experience really shows in how they manage the entire process, from the application through the end of the program (and especially through the handling of events like COVID-19)." - Clare D., CIEE Alumni
Notable Mentions
Top Rated Internship Organizations of 2020
1. Institute for Global Studies
"My IGS mentor was very helpful to me. She always checked up on me and was really concerned about what I could learn in my internship. She was also very cheerful and accommodating... Thank you very much, IGS, for providing outstanding mentors." - Krystal Sho, Institute for Global Studies Alumni
2. Meiji Internships
"My internship criteria were quite specific,... and Meiji Internships found exactly what I asked for! We often had Zoom meetings with my work team to stay updated on everything, and my superior helped me and gave me lots of precious advice." - Donna Veitch, Meiji Internships Alumni
3. VACorps
"Interning at VACorps has been the best thing I have done all year. Speaking to their advisors made me believe interning with them would be the best thing... I have loved interning remotely as it is more accessible but also has allowed me to help a company that needed it and would not have gotten the help unless it was remote." - Malikah U., VACorps Alumni
Notable Mentions
Top Rated Volunteer Abroad Organizations of 2020
1. GVI
"Volunteering at GVI Quepos was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The GVI team were some of the loveliest people I have ever met and I loved living with people from all around the world from so many different backgrounds. The volunteering is an experience I will never forget, it was amazing to hear from the beginning about how considerate and thoughtful GVI are about their ethical impact on the community." - Sofia, GVI Alumni
2. African Impact
"...African Impact exceeded all my imaginable expectations. My two months as a research/photography volunteer have been life-changing. It's all due to the way African Impact sets itself up, its sustainable service model, and the incredible people from all over the world." - Kenzie, African Impact Alumni
3. International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
"Best experience of my life! IVHQ prepared everything the best way possible; I got to meet so many amazing people that taught me so much!... I meet the workers in the project who were very welcoming, and the community we served was awesome I would definitely volunteer abroad with them again!!" - Liz Silva, International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ] Alumni
Notable Mentions
Top Rated TEFL Certification Organizations of 2020
1. International TEFL Academy
"I emerged from the course with confidence that I can teach ESL. The course is worth every penny. In my opinion, they are the best in the market." - David Killebrew, International TEFL Academy Alumni
2. The TEFL Academy
"I felt that the course provided a comprehensive overview of what a new teacher should know when starting their TEFL career...The TEFL Academy course was very affordable, informative, and even challenged me a bit in some of the assignments." - Jeremy O'Brien, The TEFL Academy Alumni
3. Premier TEFL
"It was really amazing. I gained a lot of knowledge. There were so many things that I was unaware about, despite having a good amount of teaching experience. I would highly recommend this course to everyone." - Savannah, Premier TEFL Alumni
Notable Mentions
Top Rated Language Schools of 2020
1. Istanbul University Language Center
"Istanbul University Language Center has become one of the best language centers in Turkey, it has top and professional teachers, and also is located in the middle of a historic city, and accessible to everything. It has strong international relations language programs which were perfect for me since I have attended diverse international language schools." - Faaris Sid Omar Ibrahim, Istanbul University Language Center Alumni
2. Meiji Academy
"During my 5 months stay in Japan, Meiji, their staff, and the friends I made through it were present in every moment... It was through this school that I was able to become friends with some of the most incredible people from all over the globe, and the institution made sure to always have things planned so that we could have fun and get immersed in the culture and the language, never did a week just pass by without Meiji offering their students interesting activities to participate in before or after classes." - Francisco Farias, Meiji Academy Alumni
3. Omeida Chinese Academy
"I spent 3 months at Omeida, learning intensive Chinese. I came to school only knowing how to say "ni hao" and left being able to hold conversations with people, understand basic tv dialogues and having gained insight to a new culture. Overall it was amazing." - Simmy, Omeida Chinese Academy Alumni
Notable Mentions
Top Rated Gap Year Providers of 2020
1. TIVNU Building Justice
"TIVNU is a transformative experience full of problem solving and growth from living with people from all over the US to working at internships based on your own interest. I learned so much and made a difference in my own life and others." - Leci Grenet, TIVNU Building Justice Alumni
2. Gapforce
"...I loved every second of it and was gutted I couldn’t continue on with the group to Vietnam. I honestly achieved so much more than I anticipated and packed so much into such a short space of time which I know, would have been impossible on my own as a first-time traveller. My biggest piece of advice is to just book it!!" - Lydia Eyles, Gapforce Alumni
3. The High Desert Center
"Being in this gap year program was one of the best decisions of my life. I was able to join an amazing community and have a crazy amount of experiences I never would have had without this program... There is so much to this year and some of it is structured and some of it is self-designed. The amount of support is incredible, and you get to do things from sleeping out underneath the stars, to mountain climbing and backpacking, to traveling abroad and staying in homestays." - Jesse L, The High Desert Center Alumni
Notable Mentions
Top Rated Teach Abroad Organizations of 2020
1. Teaching Nomad
"...I would really recommend using teaching nomad as even in challenging circumstances they were able to secure me interviews with schools very quickly at high quality establishments. It wasn’t long before I secured a role and was ready to start a new adventure in China." - Louis Paul, Teaching Nomad Alumni
2. Korean Horizons
"I can truthfully say that Alistair/Korean Horizons really is as great as everyone says. He works with you from the very first to the very last step of the entire process and is available all the time to answer questions or provide guidance... Another cool aspect of working with Korean Horizons is the community that you get to be a part of before you even come to Korea." - Erin Boyd , Korean Horizons Alumni
3. MAXIMO NIVEL
"I had the best experience doing the program with Maximo Nivel. I love how the stuff is dedicated to getting the students to become the best teachers, the program was intense but we had the best instructor (Karen Wilke). " - Noxy, MAXIMO NIVEL Alumni
Notable Mentions
Top Online Programs of 2020
Top Rated Online TEFL Course of 2020
International TEFL Academy - 170-Hour Online TEFL Class
"They cover all of the bases on how to teach English as a foreign language and because the program was asynchronous, I was able to study when it was convenient for me, especially when there's so much time spent on zoom for work and other commitments nowadays, I appreciated the autonomy" - T Robinson, International TEFL Academy - 170-Hour Online TEFL Class Alumni
Top Rated Online Study Abroad Program of 2020
GVI - Sustainable Development Online Courses
"Live lectures and modules were very engaging and the instructor was really friendly and knowledgeable. I’ve gained a wide range of information about potential careers in sustainable development, personal branding and career mapping." - Ranjini, GVI - Sustainable Development Online Courses Alumni
Top Rated Online Internship Program of 2020
Global Experiences - Virtual Internships with Global Companies
"My virtual internship with Global Experiences was terrific. I had the opportunity to meet with amazing people from different countries and explore the world of opportunity. The sessions provided by Global Experiences enhanced my understanding of the workforce and my career development. Global Experiences allows for ample opportunity to explore and get out of one's comfort zone!" - Fatima Touray, Global Experiences - Virtual Internships with Global Companies Alumni
Top Rated Online Language Course of 2020
Meiji Academy - Japanese Online Lessons
"Studying with Meiji Academy was a real pleasure. All my teachers were absolutely amazing, gentle, and smart... They talk a lot about cultural peculiarities so that you are really immersed and you learn more than just a language." - Charlie Banks, Meiji Academy - Japanese Online Lesson Alumni
Top Rated Online Program Notable Mentions
- London College of Teachers - Online TEFL Course
- UNI-Prep Institute - Online TEFL Course
- Kaya Responsible Travel - Online Internships
Need more help making your travel dreams a reality in 2021?
- Ask our Online Advisors to match you with programs that fit your interests & get recommendations in less than 24 hours!
- Read tips on How to Pick the Right Program Abroad for You
- Use MyGoAbroad to save and compare your favorite programs and organize your travel plans
- Browse our Travel Article Directory or sign up for 20 Days of Travel Inspo to stay motivated and inspired!
Are you an international educator that wants to make it on our 2020 list? Contact us to start gathering more reviews now!
*Selection Process: Our Annual Top Rated Organizations and Programs are based on both quantity of reviews collected and overall ratings, as well as other measures of quality and participant satisfaction. All reviews counted were published in the 2020 calendar year.
Look for the Perfect Program Abroad Now
Start Your Search