Free Innovative Tool for Study Abroad Offices

If you’re like me, then you’re always looking for ways to save time, streamline processes, and maximize resources. There’s just no other way to get things done!

In my study abroad office, we manage more than fifty different programs for students. We used to only have a list of study abroad programs. Then, we moved to a list with descriptions. Next, we added a searchable study abroad directory of our approved programs (each with its own program page), and now we have a  searchable directory for our approved study abroad programs and internships, with star ratings and student reviews, thanks to a free study abroad resource for all at AbroadScout.com.

Yes, any college or university, anywhere in the world, can get a free, customized, searchable study abroad directory of their very own, populated with all their study abroad programs and partners (approved program list). Best of all, the links to each of these programs can be pointed to your web pages! This means that if you have an approved program that you don’t sponsor, let’s use Universidad Veritas for example, the program link in your directory will not go to Veritas, but instead to the page on your website for this program.

This is great for us because students need to reach our page first for detailed instructions and application materials. We don’t want them to reach the host partner’s website before they’ve seen our information and instructions for the program. Are some or all of your programs only open to your students? No problem, just check the “private” box for each of those programs. When the private box is checked, the program will only display in your customized directory, and users can’t and won’t find it when searching the main Abroad Programs Directory.

No more hassle of having to list your programs in multiple directories on the web, or having to manage student reviews far away from where students actually search for study abroad programs (not good marketing)…List all of your program (faculty-led, direct enroll, exchange, third-party provider, internships abroad, etc.) and log in anytime to add, update, and delete program information. There’s no software to install, it’s extremely easy to use, it’s convenient with everything in one place (directory and reviews that have been screened and approved by Abroad Scout staff), and best of all, it’s free!

This is how it works…

1. Create an account on AbroadScout.com, activate it with the email link that you receive, and log in.
2. Add information and details for programs that you organize or sponsor.
3. Populate your customized directory with all your approved study abroad programs (both abroad programs you organize and those you don’t).
4. Grab the link and add it wherever it best fits on your website, preferably in a place where students can access it.

Study abroad administration doesn’t get better than this! For me, it’s a beauty. I can market some of our study programs nationally, and others to students only on our campus, all in the same place.

Submitted by Wendy Williamson, Director of Study Abroad, Eastern Illinois University