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Study Abroad is for Everyone

Study abroad to Europe and beyond! OCC study abroad students receive transferable GE college credits, are immersed in a new culture or language, learn in new ways, and can distinguish themselves from the pack as a job applicant.  Study abroad is one of the most transformation experiences you can have in college and has real benefits on your future, including documented increases in GPA, degree completion, and graduation rates! Students who study abroad report an increase in passion and deeper understanding of what they studied.  Alumni report feeling more confident, mature & independent upon their return. Improving these "soft skills" now will benefit you for life! 

OCC faculty led programs are about a month long and taught during the summer term. They are "open enrollment", which means even if you are new to OCC, already graduated, or are attending a different school you can still join us, as long as you are over 18 years old. We welcome non-traditional students, first generation college students, minority students, lifelong learners & first time travelers. You can use your financial aid and many scholarships are available.

Additional destinations and longer programs are available through other colleges or universities or Provider Led Programs (see below). 

Check out our programs and funding sources on this site. If you have any further questions you can email us or complete the interest form if you'd like to schedule a meeting with the study abroad advisor. Please join the study abroad mailing list or our Instagram to keep in touch and get our announcements!  We look forward to helping you go abroad!

instagram logo@occ_study_abroad_ambassadors  

 

Group of male and female students smiling sitting on a short wall overlooking hills of Italy

Summer 2025 Programs: Details coming in November 2025

overlooking Florence Italy, with large domed church
Florence, Italy - Italian
Learn Italian with Franca Hamber. Florence becomes an extension of your classroom as you explore Florentine cathedrals, monuments, churches, museums and galleries while attending language classes at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci or at the Accent Study Center with CCCD faculty.  Click the photo or attend an information session (listed on the workshop page) to learn more.
sunset over Madrid, with glowing street lights below
Madrid, Spain - Spanish

Explore the vibrant city of Madrid, learn its cultural and historical value while you improve your Spanish. Professor Jocelyn Sherman-Falcioni is passionate about the Spanish language and study abroad, and instills in her students a love of both.

Click the photo or attend an information session (listed on the workshop page) to learn more.
Kyoto Temple with Cherry Blossoms backed by Blue sky
Kyoto, Japan - Art & Architecture
Spend your summer in the rich culture of ​Kyoto, Japan, while studying Art and ​Architecture with Orange Coast College and ​AIFS. Experience dynamic courses led by OCC ​faculty, enhanced by visits and lectures that ​bring the city’s architectural wonders to life. ​Discover Japan’s historical and cultural ​landmarks, monuments, museums, and ​galleries—as Kyoto itself becomes an ​extension of your classroom. Click the photo or attend an information session (listed on the workshop page) to learn more.

Student Eligibility:

No holds on your MyCoast account.
Satisfactory grades & satisfactory physical and mental health.
You should have the ability and the willingness to embrace the challenges of studyabroad.

We allow open enrollment (new students, and students from other colleges) in our study abroad classes.

All OCC faculty led program classes are CSU/UC transferable general education classes (GE's). They will appear on your OCC transcript just like any other class taken at OCC.

Support and Resources Abroad:

Our faculty-led programs come with a built-in support system through our trusted provider company partners. These on-site staff members, based in local study centers, will:

  • Provide orientations to help you settle in.
  • Assist with housing arrangements and roommate coordination.
  • Offer logistical support such as transportation and scheduling tour guides for excursions.
  • Be there in case of emergencies like lost travel documents or illness.

The OCC Global Engagement Center staff maintains regular communication with both the faculty and our partner company staff, ensuring you're well-supported throughout your experience abroad.

Please note: All programs are subject to the conditions and regulations of each country or region, and there is always the possibility of cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances.

Provider Company Led Programs

If you're seeking additional locations or longer study abroad programs, students can explore opportunities through study abroad provider companies, foreign universities, NGOs, or other educational institutions.

Please be aware that classes taken through provider-led programs will not automatically count for degree credit at OCC nor may they be transferable to other universities. It’s important to do your research by contacting the OCC Graduation Office or the university you wish to transfer credits to. Make sure you know the exact course name, number, and the institution issuing the transcript.

To find programs, try Googling your major, a destination and a semester/length.  Some provider companies students in the past have used are: AIFS, CIEE, GoAbroad, Semester at Sea, TEAN.  The Embassy of France has two-week bootcamps designed for community college students. There are also virtual study abroad programs.  

If you register to attend a provider company led study abroad program, please complete the Provider Company Study Abroad Participant form. You can also use this form to submit any documentation the provider requires OCC to complete.

More Helpful Links

Group of students with professor in front of Playa Dos De Mayo

Information for Parents

The benefits of Study Abroad are many. Education research has shown study abroad to be a  "High Impact Practice" in higher education, with positive effects on GPA and degree completion among others. The world is more connected than ever before and knowing cross-cultural communication skills is considered critical for advancement in many fields. Experiences like study abroad help prepare students for working on diverse teams, develop language and intercultural communication skills, & tolerance for ambiguity. This is an opportunity to gain an understanding of different business, leadership, management, and communication styles, you won't see in your home country. Students and parents report positive impacts on personal development like the ability to negotiate uncertainty and increased confidence & maturity.

Still Have Questions?

You can make an appointment to meet with the Study Abroad Advisor.  Please complete this intake form.