Are you looking for ways to gain greater career prospects? Are you facing saturation in your career and want to garnish your skillset with a new one? Or are you planning to join a long-term programme but finding it difficult to decide if the new place and people will be up to your liking or not? If your answer for any of these questions is yes, you may consider short-term study abroad programmes.
In this article, you will get some interesting information on short-term study abroad programmes, their benefits and some of the best short-term courses around the world, focused on better career prospects.
Short Term Study Abroad Programs – Is pursuing a Short-term Study Abroad Programme a good idea?
Short-term study-abroad educational programs are study courses that can last from 2 to 10 weeks and are offered to students interested in pursuing educational opportunities in other countries. Besides, many universities, colleges and schools actively encourage cooperation with other institutes around the world to enable students to study a part of their educational program in another country. 
Lets take a look at some of the benefits of a short-term study abroad programme -
Less Costly – For those who are unable to study abroad due to financial concerns, short-term courses can be a great choice and are much more pocket-friendly than full-length courses that may last from 1-3 years.
Get more than General Education – Many countries in the world have rigid education systems which offer certain combinations of subjects which can not be altered. If you want to add special subjects/skills into your arsenal which are not possible in your home country, a short-term study abroad program can be a great solution. By taking the course abroad, you not only will have a chance to take a completely unique course but because it’s condensed into 5-10 weeks, it’ll fly by.
Perfect for Busy People – Many students enrolled in medical, engineering and other rigorous courses feel that due to the nature of their courses, the chance of their international exposure is next to nil. However, by fitting a short-term program into one of the summer-breaks, you’ll not only stay on track but also put yourself ahead of the game. It will even add versatility to your profile, give you a fresh perspective on your subject and render a break from the monotony of studying the same subjects.
Ideal as an Initial Experience Abroad – If you are yet to experience foreign travel, an idea to study abroad can be intimidating. A short-term course can come handy in such a situation. It will expose you to the experience of study without demanding too much from you.
Short Term Study Abroad Programs – 10 Popular Short-term Study Abroad Courses
1. University of Cambridge International Summer Programmes
The University of Cambridge offers a number of short-term summer programs which are taught to students at the undergraduate level. Students get the opportunity to stay in traditional accommodations and get a vibrant choice of activities and weekend gateways.
Application deadline – Round the year
Course Duration – 4 weeks
Programme highlights
- Study at a world-leading university, taking classes that are taught by Cambridge scholars and expert guest speakers.
- Stay in the historic Cambridge College campus and experience all that the city has to offer.
- Join a vibrant international community with over 60 nationalities represented.
2. Study Abroad Internships, University of Sydney
For those who are looking for a career in Australia, this course provides an opportunity to immerse in the country’s culture. This internship program allows the students to develop familiarity with the Australian workplace culture while applying their academic learning in real workplace situations.
Application deadline – During April and July
Course Duration – 6 weeks
Programme Highlights -
Industry placements in the following areas of study -
- Accounting, Economics and Finance
- Advertising, Marketing and Sales
- Architecture and Urban Planning
- Business and Management
- Charity
- Education and Tutoring
- Events, Public Relations and Social Media
- Policy
- Media and Communications
- Retail and Fashion
3. International Summer Institute for Business Management (ISIBM) at University of Victoria, British Columbia Summer School, Canada
For the students pursuing management courses or seeking additional management credits, this is a fascinating opportunity. This programme also offers a wide range of inclusive activities to experience Canada and meet new people and network. ISIBM is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. At the time of application, each student must be currently enrolled in and recommended by universities/colleges that are officially recognized by the national government agency for education within their respective country.
Application deadline – Beginning of July
Course duration – 4 weeks
Program highlights -
- Business Communication
- International Business, Entrepreneurship & Service Management
4. Automotive and Mobility Studies at RHTH Achen University International Academy, Germany
A wonderful opportunity for automotive and mobility engineering students and enthusiasts, this programme offers the opportunity to take part in excellent science and research at RWTH Aachen University. Numerous research institutions, companies, R&D departments and start-ups have settled in and around Aachen, making RWTH the ideal setting for aspiring students. This program is specially designed for B.Sc./B.E. students enrolled at top universities around the world.
Application deadline – During April
Course duration – 4 weeks
Programme highlights –
- Energy Storage Systems in Vehicles
- Cells and Batteries-Chemistry
- Automotive Engineering
- Energy Consumption in Electric Vehicles
- Alternative and Electrified Vehicle Propulsion Systems
- Case Study: Autonomous Vehicles
- Grid Integration of Electric Vehicles
5. Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University of Cambridge, UK
This course offers concepts of innovation and entrepreneurship with a basic understanding of business to future entrepreneurs. It is open to current undergraduates, recent graduates, and all new and aspiring entrepreneurs and also provides a series of coaching sessions where specific issues can be addressed in more detail.
Application deadline: During July
Course duration: 2 weeks
Programme highlights:
- Idea innovation
- Business Model Canvas
- Value proposition
- Defining the customer
- Marketing innovation
- Culture and dynamics
6. Nursing, Pre-Med, and STEM Traveling Summer Study in Europe
8 Countries Nexus program (London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Milan, Lake Como, Lugano, Rome, and Rhodes.)
This program is the perfect mixture of adventure, a lot of travel and extensive learning. If you want to experience one of the best summers of your life and travel to some of the most beautiful destinations in Europe, this 4-week programme is a must for you. Students can select courses that fulfil their elective requirements, and pursue independent study opportunities in nursing, pre-med, science, technology, engineering, psychology, sociology, urban planning, and more.
Program Dates: Last week of June – First week of August
Course Duration: 5 weeks
Programme highlights:
- Travel to 10+ European cities in 8 countries
- Meet students from around the world
- Take courses related to your major
- Earn up to 9 academic credits
- Visit leading international organizations through exclusive professional visits
7. CSR Management, Certificate at Hamburg School of Business Administration (HSBA), Germany
This programme is designed to train you in the fields of business ethics, sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility and to stimulate a discourse about current and future goals, challenges and most importantly, about the social and economic opportunities that correspond with responsible and sustainable business conduct.
Programme Deadline: March-end
Course Duration: 2 weeks
Programme Highlights:
- Meet Young Leaders of Sustainability (YLS) from all over the world
- Listen to lectures from renowned international scientists
- Connect with managers from leading businesses
- Conduct case studies and consultancy projects
- Enjoy social events and a great cultural programme
8. Management in Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
As part of the Principles of Manufacturing MicroMasters program, the Management in Engineering programme, which is offered by EdX in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MITx), aims to teach learners key principles and practices used in engineering management. The programme will offer basic business functional knowledge including financial accounting, sales, marketing, operations, and topics related to entrepreneurship. The focus will be given on the development of individual skills and management tools.
Programme Deadline: During March
Programme Duration: 2 weeks
Programme Highlights:
- Meet Young Leaders of Sustainability (YLS) from all over the world
- Listen to lectures from renowned international scientists
- Connect with managers from leading businesses
- Conduct case studies and consultancy projects
- Enjoy social events and a great cultural programme
9. Introduction to International Business at University of California, USA
This programme offers an introduction to International Business courses at the university. It also offers valuable insights on environmental, economic, political, and social constraints on doing business abroad; effects of overseas business investments on domestic and foreign economies; foreign market analysis and operational strategy of a firm; management problems and development potential of international operations. It includes 7.5 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week and 15.5 hours of outside work hours per week.
Application Deadline: Beginning of July
Programme Duration: 6 weeks
Programme Highlights:
- 7.5 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week
- 15.5 hours of outside work hours per week.
10. Short-Term Study Abroad Internship at The University of Sydney, Australia
Hundreds of students from around the world are welcomed to the University of Sydney through their study abroad program. It is a great opportunity to experience the vibrant student life bolstered by guaranteed housing and a unique internship programme. The course is taught with the same academic rigour and study workload as a normal semester. Additionally, domestic and international students from across the university will be studying these units of study alongside study abroad and exchange students.
Application Deadline: During April
Programme Duration: 6 weeks
Programme Highlights:
- Short-term units of study
- Internships
- Guaranteed accommodation
-
1 or 2 units of study
REGISTER TODAY TO MAKE A GREAT CAREER TO STUDY ABROAD!
Short Term Study Abroad Programs – FAQs
Q. Is English proficiency eligibility a mandatory requirement for short-term study abroad programmes?
A. Most universities that teach in English require a certain level of English language proficiency for you to be admitted to the programme. This is to make sure that you will be able to cope with using the language in an academic environment if you are not a native speaker. The exact level required depends on the university the international office of your university will be able to tell you exactly what level you require.
Q. How do I apply for short-term study abroad programmes?
A. You apply for a course directly through your chosen university. You can usually find all the information you need for the application on the university website or by getting in contact with the university.
