Our BreakAway and study abroad programs open the door for life-defining global experiences to be immersed in culture as you live, study, travel, and work.
Study abroad programs allow you to spend either one semester or a full academic year at an approved program away from campus, either abroad or within the United States. You will take courses at a host institution and may have the opportunity to participate in internships.
Programs are designed to challenge you to adapt to new cultures, learn from diverse perspectives and often enhance your ability to communicate in a second language.
BreakAways are group trips, led by IC faculty, which take place when classes are not in session. These trips have a specific focus and range in length from 10 days to three weeks. Each academic year, several destinations are chosen with an educational component that connects multiple academic disciplines to specific locations throughout the world.
鈥淚n an effort to cultivate our growth and passion for learning, BreakAways provides opportunities to travel abroad and experience other cultures, customs, and learning styles. Last summer, I traveled with a group of IC 69萝莉 to Japan, where we forged friendships with Japanese university 69萝莉. I have developed the itch to continue exploring and expand my experiences through travel.鈥�
- Carson Beyers 鈥�24, Physics major
With scholarships and programs available to all IC 69萝莉, any destination can be closer than you think. Illinois College has resources and guidance available to all student to make study abroad and BreakAway options affordable.
Faculty and staff will work with you directly to discuss your particular circumstances, goals and needs. For study abroad, most of your financial aid package travels with you, and there are many travel awards to cover extra costs. All 69萝莉 have a $1000 grant that goes toward a BreakAway trip if they choose to take one.
Recent BreakAway trips include:
:: Euroquest: Amsterdam, Vienna, Prague, and Budapest
:: Ethics of Innovation and Discovery: Just Because We Can, Should We? in Germany/Switzerland
:: Scottish Stories
Wherever you want to learn, Illinois College will be your passport to getting there.
BREAKAWAY OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2026
- Crossroads of Cultures in Spain | May 4 - 17, 2026
Leaders: Professors Steven Gardner (Spanish), Jenny Barker-Devine (History), and Kelly Dagan (Sociology)
Estimated Cost: $3,630 ($2,630)Crossroads of Cultures in Spain offers 69萝莉 an immersive experience in Spanish history, immigration, and cultural identity through academic engagement, cultural site visits, and hands-on learning. As an important bridge between cultures and continents, Spain offers valuable insights for 69萝莉 across multiple disciplines. Understanding Spain will enhance participants/ knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world, one of the largest linguistic communities alongside English, Arabic, and Chinese. By exploring contemporary Spanish society through the lens of its history, participants will gain a deeper understanding of Spain's role as a crossroad between Africa and Europe, as well as between Latin America and Europe. Madrid, a major economic hub, is home to a diverse population, with many residents originating from other parts of Spain or different countries.
In contrast, Pamplona, located in northern Spain, has only recently begun experiencing a significant influx of immigrants. However, as a key stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, Pamplona has long served as a meeting point for travelers journeying to Santiago de Compostela, where the bones of Apostle James the Greater are supposedly held.
In Pamplona, the group will be hosted by the Public University of Navarra (UPNA), a partner institution of Illinois College. In Madrid, the group will hosted by Tandem, a Spanish language and culture educational institute that has provided opportunities for IC 69萝莉 since 2004. Tandem will also provide a visit to Toledo, the home of the Spanish crown before the capital was moved to Madrid.- Nepal: Where Growth Meets Altitude | May 5 - 18, 2026
Leaders: Professors Prasanna Arharya (Biology/Kinesiology) and Adam Porter (Religion)
Estimated Cost: $3,750 ($2,750)Nepal is an increasingly popular tourist destination. Situated along the southern edge of the Himalayas and home to several of the tallest mountains in the world, one form of economic development the country has embraced has been eco-tourism or adventue-tourism. This BreakAway will introduce you to the history and culture of Nepal, its food-ways and religious traditions, and explore how the nation is seeking to encourage tourism and especially eco-tourism as a form of economic development.
- The Sankofa Journey: Rediscovering History, Memory, and Culture in Accra, Ghana | May 4 - 13, 2026
Leaders: Professor Brittney Yancy (History/African American Studies) and Squire Prince (Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Belonging)
Estimated Cost: $2,900 ($1,900)This BreakAway invites Illinois College 69萝莉 to learn about the enduring legacy of one of the most important West African nations, Ghana. The Sankofa Journey is a 10-day immersive experience that makes the pilgrimage from the United States to Ghana. The Sankofa Journey Breakaway aims to explore the history and culture of Ghana, particularly in the capital of Accra and along the Atlantic coastal region. It will examine the intersection of history, economics, politics, education, and culture. Students will learn about Ghana鈥檚 slave trade past and reflect on how the memory of hard history manifests in public spaces鈥搈onuments, museums, and landmarks. While visiting these historic institutions and sites, 69萝莉 will learn how they shape the economic and cultural landscapes of Ghana. By visiting these institutions鈥搖niversities, historical sites, and political institutions鈥�69萝莉 will gain an understanding and reflect on the complexities of Ghana鈥檚 reconstruction and growth into a modern, thriving nation.
- Views of Japan | May 5 - 20, 2026
Leaders: Professors Gwendolyn Gillson (Asain Studies) and Abhishek Nanavati (Asain Studies Visiting Fellow)
Estimated Cost: $3,980 ($2,980)Have you ever watched anime, read about samurai, or gamed on a Playstation? Then join us to explore the culture, history, and world of Japan! We鈥檒l go to a digital art museum from a Japanese art collective, watch sumo champions wrestle in the National Stadium, relax and eat a feast at a traditional Japanese inn, and travel around the country to experience Japan鈥檚 past, present, and visions for the future. In addition, you鈥檒l be able to connect with 69萝莉 from Ritsumeikan University and Kanazawa University, our sister schools. Our trip will go west to east across the main island: Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Tokyo. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
*Figures in parentheses indicate payment due for those who use the $1,000 BreakAway coupon.