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.
“In 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 students to Japan, where we forged friendships with Japanese university students. I have developed the itch to continue exploring and expand my experiences through travel.”
- Carson Beyers ’24, Physics major
With scholarships and programs available to all IC students, 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 students 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 (check out the Reel below! ⬇️)
:: 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 2027
- Experience Ecuador: Culture & Nature in the Andes Mountains | May 11 - 23, 2027
Leaders: Professors Jacob Warren and Elizabeth Rellinger Zettler
Estimated Cost: $3,800 ($2,800)A country with a diverse population, including a large Indigenous American population, and great biodiversity, from tropical rainforests to snow-covered peaks, Ecuador provides the perfect environment to study both human and ecological development.
This BreakAway, in collaboration with Illinois College’s partnering institution the University of Cuenca and the Saraguro Indigenous Community, offers an opportunity to learn about both nature and society, as participants explore the health care system, examine child development issues, and study the plants and animals of one of the most bio-diverse parts of the world.
Through Illinois College’s partners in Cuenca and Saraguro, participants will be guided through the forests, schools, hospitals, and ancient archeological sites by experts from the University of Cuenca, teachers, doctors, and members of the Saraguro Community. Since there are strong connections between Ecuador and the United States through immigration and trade, understanding this South American country can help participants expand the international experience on their resume in an important part of the world.APPLY FOR THIS BREAKAWAY!
- Pele's Fire, Hi'aka's Sky: Earth's Core to the Cosmos | December 29, 2026 - January 10, 2027
Leaders: Professors TJ Devine and Jenny Barker-Devine
Estimated Cost: $3,800 ($2,800)Experience the beauty, complexity, and culture of Hawaiʻi through a journey across Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. This BreakAway will explore the history, ecology, and cultural traditions of the islands while inviting students to think deeply about place, identity, environmental stewardship, and tourism. From the beaches of Waikīkī to Pearl Harbor, engage with the many layers of Oʻahu’s past and present. On Hawaiʻi Island, we will encounter powerful volcanic landscapes and observe the stars atop Mauna Kea at nearly 14,000 feet above sea level. You will visit sites of deep cultural significance, learn from park rangers and historical interpreters, explore agricultural traditions at a coffee farm, and experience the island’s skies, waters, and ecosystems through activities such as snorkeling and ziplining. And of course there’s the beach.
This BreakAway embraces both adventure and reflection. You will witness the extraordinary diversity of Hawaiʻi’s environments while considering the impacts of colonization, tourism, environmental change, and cultural resilience. Along the way, you will learn how history continues to shape life in Hawaiʻi today.APPLY FOR THIS BREAKAWAY!
- Italy: Iconic Influencer | May 11 - 22, 2027
Leaders: Professors Nancy Taylor Porter and Adam Porter
Estimated Cost: $3,800 ($2,800)Italy has earned its status in our imaginations as a romantic place for the beauty of its landscapes, the grandeur of its architecture, and the magnificence of its arts. On this BreakAway, we will examine the influence of both the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. Once in Italy, you will have the opportunity to explore ancient Roman archeological ruins in Rome and Pompeii, the best-preserved Roman city. The impact of the Renaissance, which set the stage for modern ideas about beauty, art, and science, will be on full display when you wander the streets of Rome, Florence, and Venice. Throughout the trip, we will enjoy modern Italy's world-famous cuisine and the Mediterranean climate!
APPLY FOR THIS BREAKAWAY!
- Norsebound: Journey to the Land of Vikings, Fjords, and Trolls | May 11 - 23, 2027
Leaders: Professor Clayton Spencer and Rebecca Spencer
Estimated Cost: $3,800 ($2,800)Immerse yourself in the otherworldly beauty of Norway as you travel from Oslo to Bergen by land and water. This BreakAway will delve into Norse mythology, Viking traditions, and the emergence of modern Norwegian culture and society. We will embrace the slow travel philosophy, taking the time to enjoy the views and explore the Nordic culture. Think sipping coffee (or other hot beverage) in a cafe, relaxing in a floating sauna, swimming in the clear waters, hiking through forests with pixie lights and troll statues, watching the stunning landscape slide by from a train window, soaking in the majesty of the waterfalls, listening to traditional music while sampling local cuisine at a small farm, kayaking through a fjord, and walking through a recreated Viking village. As we journey, you will discover how Norway’s past has shaped the culture of today. As they say in Norway, “Bli med!”
APPLY FOR THIS BREAKAWAY!
*Figures in parentheses indicate payment due for those who use the $1,000 BreakAway coupon.