Custom Programs

Our People

We are a company of full of long-tenured, passiona...

Our Approach

We are one of the few long-standing, privately-hel...

Our Expertise

We have a long history of customizing programs ...

Risk Management

We are vigilant about staying current on the la...

Faculty-led Programs

Tailored CIS Abroad Programs

Gold Coast, Australia

Newcastle, Australia

San José, Costa Rica

London, England

Athens, Greece

Limerick, Ireland

Florence, Italy

La Spezia, Italy

Rome, Italy

Sorrento, Italy

Tokyo, Japan

Edinburgh, Scotland

Stirling, Scotland

Barcelona, Spain

Seoul, South Korea

Bangkok, Thailand

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Every time we put this program together it reinforces how important it is to work with an outside provider like CIS Abroad. I could not have put a program like this together on my own. Providers just know more about the location, down to which restaurants can accommodate large groups or the best way to get places, even the cultural part of it. Lean on experts that know the region of where you want to travel.

Dr. Wendy Stickle

Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland

This is the second time I've worked with CIS Abroad and I can't speak of the partnership more enthusiastically. I would gladly work them again in a heartbeat.

Dyana Mason

Associate Professor, University of Oregon

I would recommend that faculty make the most of the support offered by CIS Abroad to customize their program to fit their students' needs. The team at CIS Abroad is very knowledgeable and helpful with customizing programs.

Brittany Marinelli

Director for International Education, Lenoir-Rhyne University

Our Services

Let's collaborate on a new program, designed to meet your specific learning objectives while leveraging our expert local knowledge.

Every course is different and, in turn, every program will be different. Our Faculty-led Program Model allows us to collaboratively design a high-quality program that aligns closely with your goals and objectives, while utilizing our rich experience and local knowledge. You teach the course and inform the inclusions, we develop and implement the arrangements and support you every step of the way. Our goal is to provide faculty and our university partners the opportunity to focus on academics and recruitment, while we take care of the rest!

Meet the Team

Beth Cahoon Director of Custom Programs

Beth Cahoon

Director of Custom Programs

Ann Hartunian Senior Faculty-Led Programs Coordinator

Ann Hartunian

Senior Faculty-Led Programs Coordinator

Ann Hartunian

Senior Faculty-Led Programs Coordinator

Ann's first international experience was after college when she decided to backpack around Europe and Southeast Asia with her then-boyfriend, now-husband for four months. The experience of international travel opened her eyes to the endless possibility of learning about different cultures, people, and places. When she returned from her travels, she started working for her alma matter, Michigan State University, where she taught health and nutrition classes to communities in Metro Detroit. While she loved her job, her love for travel and future career would soon collide when she was offered a position to work at Texas A&M Corpus Christi in their International Center. She worked as an office manager and had the opportunity to manage and plan faculty-led study abroad programming and ever since, she found her vocation in education abroad. Since then, she worked at University of North Florida as the faculty-led study abroad coordinator for almost four years and completed her masters in Higher Education Administration. Ann loves walking her dog on the beach, hiking and spending time with her husband and friends in new places!

Travel Tip! Learn how to be uncomfortable with the unexpected or unplanned. Exposing yourself to new food, places, or people that you did not necessary plan for or schedule can be some of the most meaningful memories while traveling!

Julia Berberan Faculty-Led Programs Assistant Coordinator

Julia Berberan

Faculty-Led Programs Assistant Coordinator

Allie Olvera Faculty-Led Programs Assistant

Allie Olvera

Faculty-Led Programs Assistant

David Jackson Site Director - Thailand

David Jackson

Site Director - Thailand

Tatum Shannon Site Director - Seoul, South Korea

Tatum Shannon

Site Director - Seoul, South Korea

Lisa Pinheiro International Operations Country Director

Lisa Pinheiro

International Operations Country Director

How it Works

Design Your Program

1+ Years prior to Anticipated Start Date

Upon receipt of a completed questionnaire, you’ll work with our Program Coordinator and our in-country Site Director to design your program, beginning with a discovery call. We want to hear your vision, share ideas, and take what we’ve learned to build a proposal designed to meet your academic and logistical needs. We’re happy to work with you and continue to tweak the itinerary until it aligns with your expectations! Once you are happy with the proposal, you’ll request a contract.

Recruitment

1 Year - 4 Months prior to Start Date

Once your program is contracted to run with CIS Abroad, you’ll begin promoting your program and recruiting students. Feel free to reach out to your University Relations Representative to ask about help with recruitment! Your Program Coordinator will check in along the way to see how recruitment is going.

Program Confirmation & Implementation

3 - 4 Months prior to Start Date

We’re excited to hear you’ve met program enrollment! Your Program Coordinator, along with our Site Director, will schedule a call to review the proposed itinerary again, to confirm details before our on-site team begins making program arrangements.

We’ll keep you informed and involved in the decision making process along the way, aiming to have a final itinerary for you 15-30 days prior to departure. We’ll also schedule a pre-departure call that includes our On-site Program Coordinator (OPC), so you feel confident and ready to travel!

On-site

Duration of Program Dates

Every program we operate includes an On-site Program Coordinator (OPC), available 24/7 to manage not only the logistics of the program, but perhaps most importantly, any health & safety incidents or emergencies that may arise during your time abroad. This full-time support allows you to focus on teaching your course while we take care of the rest! Your OPC will work closely with you to ensure everything promised in your program contract is fulfilled, and to navigate last minute changes when they happen (because they will!)

Evaluation & Plan for Next Year

Post-Program

We greatly appreciate your feedback as it helps us in our ongoing efforts to continuously improve our programming. Additionally, maintaining long-term relationships with our team and on-site partners allows for more meaningful connections and a more streamlined program. We will gather feedback from you and your students to see how we can improve. When you are ready, we look forward to working on next year's program with you. Thank you!

Sample Programming

Chemistry and History of Chocolate in Costa Rica

Faculty-Led Programs

Explore the connection between chemistry, history, sustainability, and economics within the context of Costa Rican cocoa and chocolate production. Learn about the chemical reactions that occur during production, sustainable farming practices, and Costa Rica's role in the global chocolate market through visits to local cocoa farms, rainforests, and educational institutions.

Preview

Comparative Education in Italy

Faculty-Led Programs

Engage in an immersive exploration of the Italian educational system within the picturesque coastal town of Sorrento. This program facilitates direct engagement with local educational institutions and community-based organizations providing pedagogical resources and extracurricular activities for children.

Preview

Social Work - Human Trafficking in Thailand

Faculty-Led Programs

Gain a comprehensive understanding of human trafficking by exploring its diverse forms, underlying causes, and the complex link between migration and exploitation. Through site visits to educational institutions, government bodies, and NGOs in Thailand, you'll engage directly with experts to gain firsthand insights.

Preview

What's included

Depending on the level of customization that meets your needs, the following are available as inclusions in our program packages:

CIS Abroad Support Services Before, During, and After the Program

Our team is here to support your students every step of the way, from program conception to departure and return.

Airport Pickups

Our on-site team is excited to welcome you from the moment you arrive, starting with a friendly airport pickup. We ensure a safe transfer to your accommodations so you can begin your program with ease - and when it’s time to head home, we can see you off, too.

Excursions and the Local Life Cultural Curriculum

We know that cultural immersion contributes to growth, perspective, and learning to be flexible in the most extreme circumstances. We want students to “live the local life” as much as possible no matter the length of a program. Our Local Life culture series is built into each of our programs through excursions and other opportunities for students. Need excursions focused on your academic topic or course objective? We can do that too!

Housing

From student-centered accommodations and dorms to hotels, accommodations will be covered as part of the program.

Meals

We include welcome and farewell meals on all of our programs. Additional meals may be included as part of the housing package, excursions, or upon request!

Medical and Accident Insurance

All participants are automatically enrolled in the CISI Accident and Health Insurance plan as part of their program, for the full duration of their program.

Gratuities, Honoraria, and Donations

All gratuities for tour guides, bus drivers, and similar are included in our faculty-led programs. Donations are included when partnering with local organizations and when applicable. Honoraria for guest lectures are included for CIS Abroad arranged lectures or upon request for faculty-arranged lectures.

Ground Transportation

We’ll get you from point A to point B and everywhere in between, utilizing public and private transportation as needed for the program arrangements.

Classroom and Facility Space

If you need classroom space or another facility space for your program, let us know! We’re happy to include it as part of your program.