Study Abroad Programs

  • Business, Finance & Information Technology
  • Agricultural Sciences & Veterinary Technology
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • STEM
  • Liberal & Fine Arts

Joliet Junior College offers many study abroad opportunities around the world. All academic credits transfer directly to JJC and programs incorporate cultural experiences and field trips.

What's new?

We are currently accepting applications for Spring 2025 semester programs!

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JJC Study Abroad (@jjcstudyabroad)

Why Study Abroad?

If you are unsure about study abroad, here are a few reasons to help you decide:

  1. Get better grades and graduate sooner. Studies show students who study abroad have better grades and graduate from college at higher rates than students who do not study abroad.
  2. Study abroad experience looks good on your college application or resume. Experience of living internationally shows you have experience dealing with people from different cultures, plus a higher level of adaptability.
  3. Improve your language skills. Study abroad is a great way to learn a new language from scratch, refresh languages you learned in high school or advance your college level language courses.
  4. Experience culture and learn history. The best way to experience culture is to live it, which is exactly what you’ll be doing as a study abroad student. You will also learn history where it occurred hundreds and, sometimes, thousands of years ago. 
  5. Meet a diverse range of people and make friends. A shared study abroad experience is a great way to bond with your fellow students, develop your people skills, and deepen your knowledge of others, particularly those from different cultures.
  6. Gain independence, self-reliance, and self-confidence. Studying and living abroad requires you to be independent. Independence, time management, organization, social skills and self-confidence, will all develop exponentially while you’re abroad.

Where Can I Study Abroad?

To provide wider variety of program types and destinations, some programs are offered through our partners (such as Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs (ICISP)) while others are led by JJC faculty. Every study abroad program has its pluses and minuses. The list below will help you decide which program is right for you. Regardless of your choice of program, "study" comes first in the study abroad!

  • Summer Study Abroad Programs

    Summer programs are cheaper and easier to fit into your schedule but have little flexibility in course selection. Due to short period of time (2-4 weeks), the itinerary is tight with little to no opportunities for independent travel. If you would rather travel with the group in a controlled setting, summer program is a great option for you. All summer programs regardless of focus include excursions and field trips. Application deadline is Feb. 15 unless otherwise noted. Programs are offered in the following destinations:

    NOTE: Main components of the programs remain the same from year to year. Summer 2024 information may be used planning purposes. Program dates and cost information will be updated during 2024-25 academic year. 

  • Fall and Spring Semester Programs

    Semester-long programs (16 weeks) allow for more cultural and language immersion, flexibility in course selection, and independent travel. These programs require full-time enrollment status of 12 to 15 credit hours. This allows to create a schedule that is unique to your academic and personal interests. Semester-long programs are offered in:

  • Spring Break Programs

    Some programs are offered during spring break as part of a spring semester course. Please contact the appropriate program advisor for details.

    • Costa Rica (BIO.146 - Environmental Biology) field study program. Contact Professor of Natural Sciences Brian Moskalik at brian.moskalik@jjc.edu.
    • Guatemala (VET.295 - International Experience). Contact Professor of Veterinary Technology Eileen McKee at emckee@jjc.edu.

How To Get Started?

It is never too early to start planning your study abroad experience. In fact, it is best to choose the program during your first or second semester at JJC. Early planning allows you to select a program that meets your academic and personal goals which, in turn, increases likelihood of receiving scholarships and financial aid.

  • Choose your destination and program type

    Begin researching programs using links on this page and then schedule an appointment with International Education Coordinator to discuss your options.

  • Meet eligibility requirements

    Minimum requirements include 6-12 credit hours completed at JJC with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5/4.0. Some programs require completion of ENG.101 or ENG.102 with B or better.

  • Apply for financial aid (if eligible)

    Financial aid may cover part of the program cost and varies by individual and study abroad course selection. Contact International Education Coordinator to discuss your options.

  • Register for study abroad program

    Applications for all study abroad programs must be reviewed and approved by the JJC International Education Coordinator, Nataliya Marchenko at nmarchen@jjc.edu. Contact International Education Office at studyabroad@jjc.edu to request study abroad application. Registration deadlines are:

    • Oct. 15th for Spring programs
    • February 15th for Summer programs
    • May 15th for Fall programs

  • Apply for scholarships

    JJC scholarships. JJC offers two $1,000 full semester and two summer study abroad scholarships per academic year. NOTE: scholarships not intended for study abroad may still cover some of its cost if you meet scholarship criteria.

    • Application cycle for Spring programs runs from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
    • Application cycle for Summer programs runs from Feb. 1 through March 15.

    External scholarships. JJC scholarships page has an extensive list of external scholarships you may qualify for and use to cover study abroad cost (make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to see external scholarships list).

    • Application deadlines vary.

    Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship - will award up to $5,000. Students do not have to be enrolled in the study abroad program to qualify. To be eligible, you must be receiving a Pell Grant as part of your financial aid package.

    • Application cycles in October and January each year.

    Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) gives preference to students with financial need, along with minority, community college and first-generation students. Applicants to FEA are considered for all of the scholarships they meet the criteria for, along with the FEA General Scholarships.

    • The application deadline for Spring 2025 programs is September 18.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​