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Study Abroad Programs
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!
Why Study Abroad?
If you are unsure about study abroad, here are a few reasons to help you decide:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
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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:
- Matsuyama, Japan
- Maasai Mara national Reserve, Kenya
- Carlow, Ireland
- Salzburg, Austria
- Seville, Spain
- Thessaloniki, Greece (application deadline May 16th)
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Dijon, France (application deadline March 15th)
NOTE: Main components of the programs remain the same from year to year. Summer 2025 information may be used for SM2026 planning purposes. Program dates and cost information will be updated during 2025-26 academic year.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Apply for financial aid (if eligible)
Financial aid may cover part of the program cost and varies by individual and study abroad course selection. Even if your educational expenses are covered by other sources, applying for financial aid broadens your eligibility for scholarships and other support programs. Contact International Education Coordinator to discuss your options.
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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
Scholarships
When applying for scholarships, consider ALL scholarships you may qualify for, not just study abroad specific. Any scholarship covering educational expenses will apply to study abroad. Consider scholarships that may be available through your or your parents' workplaces, churches or community organizations, clubs, etc.
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JJC Scholarships
JJC offers several study abroad scholarships.
- Application cycle for Spring programs is from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
- Application cycle for Summer programs is from Feb. 1 through March 15.
- Application cycle for Fall programs is from March 16 until May 15.
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Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
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. Start working on your application essays early and read through all of the resources and guidance under the APPLICANTS tab on the Gilman website.
- Application cycles in October and January each year.
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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 Summer, Fall, and Academic Year 2025-2026 Application cycle ends February 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM (noon) Eastern Standard Time.
- For Spring 2026 programs, the application cycle opens in July 2025, with a deadline in mid-September 2025.
Resources for Parents
We understand that parents have many questions about the value and safety of study abroad experience. Download A Parent Guide to Study Abroad to help your child succeed.
