World Travel + College Credit
Maricopa Community Colleges strives to offer diverse learning experiences, which is why we encourage students to take part in our study abroad programs. Fun and transformative, our programs provide students with the opportunity to travel internationally, discover new cultures, and experience personal growth in the process.
Students can earn up to 6 academic credits while studying in cities like London, Paris, and Prague. All study abroad program courses are taught by our instructors and are open to students from any of the Maricopa Community Colleges (18+ years of age) as well as community members.
Study Abroad Programs
Our colleges offer opportunities to travel to unique and important destinations, including:
Czech Republic
Study in Prague, "The City of 100 Spires,” one of Europe’s great historic cities. Walk its cobblestone streets, take in its stunning architecture, and learn about Czech culture and Prague’s place at the crossroads of Central Europe.
Sponsored by Chandler-Gilbert Community College
England
Spend two weeks studying literature at a British university and get a taste of college life in England. Visit places connected to generations of writers as you travel from medieval Canterbury and the White Cliffs of Dover to historic sites in London.
Sponsored by Scottsdale Community College
England and Scotland
Take your studies from the banks of the River Trent to the streets of Edinburgh. In this immersive experience, you’ll explore literature, culture, history, and environmental science while seeing England and Scotland from two very different perspectives.
Sponsored by Mesa Community College.
Ireland
Spend a month studying Irish culture, history, and heritage in the heart of the Emerald Isle. Make Athlone your home base as you visit ancient monuments, medieval castles, and some of Ireland’s best-known destinations, including Galway, Dublin, and the Cliffs of Moher.
Sponsored by Mesa Community College
Italy (Perugia)
Spend time in Perugia learning about “slow living,” an approach to life that emphasizes being more intentional. Through Italian culture, psychology, history, and daily life, you’ll explore this idea in Umbria and during a visit to Rome.
Sponsored by Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Mexico (Guanajuato)
Study Spanish and the history of Mexican music while immersing yourself in Mexican culture. Begin in Mexico City before heading to colorful Guanajuato, where you’ll live with a local host family and put your Spanish to use as you experience daily life in the city.
Sponsored by Phoenix College
Mexico (Puerto Peñasco)
Take your marine biology studies to the Sea of Cortez in Puerto Peñasco, home to one of the world’s most remarkable intertidal environments. In the field, you'll explore marine ecosystems and see the science you study in the classroom at work.
Sponsored by Mesa Community College
Portugal
Get to know Portugal through its history, art, dance, philosophy, and food. Along the way, you’ll visit historic cities and landmarks, meet Portuguese students and residents, and learn more about the traditions and ideas that have shaped the country.
Sponsored by Rio Salado College.
Costa Rica
Not offered in 2027
Spend two weeks studying economics and international business in Costa Rica. Along the way, you’ll get to know the country, its culture, and its landscapes while seeing how business and economics work outside the United States.
Sponsored by Mesa Community College
England and France
Not offered in 2027
Spend more than three weeks exploring England and France and getting to know two of Europe’s great cities. Take in the history, landmarks, and culture of London and Paris, and see how centuries of history live alongside modern city life.
Sponsored by Mesa Community College
France
Not offered in 2027
Study the history, language, culture, and marine habitats of the French Riviera. From the blue waters of the Mediterranean to the French Alps, you’ll see how the region’s landscape, history, and culture come together in southern France.
Sponsored by Mesa Community College
Italy (Florence)
Not offered in 2027
Make the museums, piazzas, and historic streets of Florence your classroom as you study art history and intercultural communication. See renowned works of art and architecture, and experience everyday Italian life and traditions that have shaped Italy and its culture.
Sponsored by Mesa Community College
Namibia
Not offered in 2027
Travel to Namibia and learn about the landscapes, wildlife, and culture of southern Africa. You'll spend much of your time outside the traditional classroom, giving you the chance to see and learn about the country firsthand.
Sponsored by Mesa Community College
Oman
Not offered in 2027
Study in Oman and get a firsthand look at its culture and ecology while earning college credit. Explore its natural landscapes, learn about local traditions, and get to know a part of the Middle East that may be unlike anywhere you’ve studied before.
Sponsored by Estrella Mountain Community College
More Information
- Review the study abroad programs listed above.
- To learn more about the program, contact the study abroad office or instructor leading the program.
- Attend an information session (study abroad office or program director can provide times and dates).
- Apply for the program of your choice.
- Attend the mandatory pre-departure meetings and orientations.
Financial Aid
Financial aid can be used to help cover the cost of a study abroad program. Because the amount of financial aid available for programs varies, we recommend contacting your college’s Financial Aid office to begin filling out your FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to see how you might qualify.
Note: In order to receive study abroad financial aid, you must be pursuing an eligible degree at your home community college. Financial aid does not transfer across Maricopa Community Colleges.
For financial aid purposes, summer terms are considered trailers—defined as the last term of the academic year (fall/spring/summer). Because summer sessions are considered trailers, financial aid received during the academic year will be considered in determining remaining financial aid eligibility for the summer term.
Explore Financial Aid Resources
Federal Pell Grants
In order to obtain a Pell Grant, students must have remaining Pell eligibility funds from the fall/spring term for required courses in your degree program and must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress. Check with your college’s Financial Aid office for specifics.
A course must be required for a student's program/degree plan in order for federal financial aid to pay for it. View information on course applicability.
Financial aid does not transfer amongst Maricopa Community Colleges unless a consortium agreement is on file.
Student Loans
In order to obtain a student loan, you must be enrolled at least half-time in courses required for your degree program and must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress. Check with your college’s Financial Aid office for specifics.
Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation
Complete just one application and apply for hundreds of scholarships administered by the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. Application cycles are in both fall and spring semesters, and students may apply more than once.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables American undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding to study and intern abroad through scholarships of up to $5,000. Students studying critical need languages are eligible for scholarships of up to $8,000.
Review March and October application cycles. It is recommended that you apply by the October deadline in order to secure funds prior to the program fee deadline. Also, if you don't receive an October deadline award, you can strengthen your essay and resubmit for a March deadline award.
Applications are reviewed holistically, with consideration of the following selection criteria. For helpful information, view the Gilman Presentation.
Gilman-McCain Scholarship
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child and spousal dependents of active or activated U.S. military personnel during the time of application to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.
Military personnel include Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps.
A congressionally funded initiative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman-McCain Scholarship is named after the late senator John S. McCain from Arizona.
Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid (e.g., Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Perkins Loan, Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans) during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program or internship.
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship application process is nearly identical to the Gilman Scholarship. For specific details, visit gilmanscholarship.org.
Community College Access Scholarship (CCAS)
The Community College Access Scholarship (CCAS) is designed to expand access to education abroad opportunities for community college students with financial need during the 2026–27 academic year.
CCAS will award scholarships to students who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled at U.S. community colleges. Students may participate in any eligible program type—including faculty-led, short-term, semester, or summer programs—provided the program is administered by a nonprofit entity. Awards will typically range from $2,000-$5,000 depending on need and program cost. Funds may be used for program fees, travel, tuition, passport and visa costs, lodging, meals, and required materials.
There are three deadlines in the 2026-2027 academic year. June 1, 2026; October 1, 2026; and February 1, 2027. You may apply to any of the deadlines as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and have been, or will have been accepted into the desired study abroad program by the time scholarships are announced.
U.S. students requiring a passport should not wait until the last minute; ordering and processing your passport can take up to 10-13 weeks. Watch a video on how to apply for a passport in person.
Below is a list of the things you will need for a new passport:
- Passport Application (DS-11 form)
- Proof of Citizenship (birth certificate, proof of naturalization, consular report of birth abroad or certificate of citizenship)
- Original and photocopy of Proof of Citizenship
- Current identification (drivers license or government issued identification card)
- Original and photocopy of current identification
- Passport photo (can be obtained from a number of local facilities)
- $165 for routine service—price changes for expedited service
Go here for detailed information on what you need to provide to apply for a U.S. passport.
The Benefits of Study Abroad and Becoming a Global Citizen
Study abroad programs play a key role in creating a global network of competent individuals who value and respect cultural differences. Students who participate in our short-term study abroad programs (1-4 weeks) consistently count their international experience as one of the most rewarding aspects of their college careers.
Our study abroad programs provide students with the opportunity to:
- Improve foreign language skills
- Increase competitiveness for jobs and scholarship awards
- Expand global and historical awareness and understanding of cultural perspectives
- Develop intercultural competencies that enhance employment opportunities
- Enhance academic learning and knowledge diversity
- Gain international work and service experience
- Boost self-confidence and self-awareness