<p>You need to think a little more about your question. For example, some might say that the school with the largest number of its own study abroad programs is the “best”. However, from a student’s standpoint, that may not be the case. That actually could provide far fewer options than a school that has a pre-approved list of the best programs from hundreds of colleges and universities. </p>
<p>For example, look at the lists of approaved programs at places like Swarthmore and Williams, both of which only offer a handful of their own programs:</p>
<p>[Swarthmore</a> College Office for Foreign Study - Selecting a Program](<a href=“http://www.swarthmore.edu/Admin/ofs/planning/selectingaprogram.html]Swarthmore”>http://www.swarthmore.edu/Admin/ofs/planning/selectingaprogram.html)
[Swarthmore</a> College Office for Foreign Study - Programs in English-speaking countries](<a href=“http://www.swarthmore.edu/Admin/ofs/planning/englishspeakingworld.html]Swarthmore”>http://www.swarthmore.edu/Admin/ofs/planning/englishspeakingworld.html)
[Swarthmore</a> College Office for Foreign Study - Programs in non English-speaking countries](<a href=“http://www.swarthmore.edu/Admin/ofs/planning/nonenglishspeaking.html]Swarthmore”>http://www.swarthmore.edu/Admin/ofs/planning/nonenglishspeaking.html)</p>
<p>[Williams</a> College :: Office of the Dean - Williams College Guide to Study Abroad](<a href=“http://www.williams.edu/dean/saguide.php#Programs]Williams”>http://www.williams.edu/dean/saguide.php#Programs)</p>
<p>Read the first link above. It’s a terrific overview of the kinds of study abroad programs. For example, a program that simply transports a group of US students to a US student dorm at a foreign university is not considered in the same league as a program that is more challenging and immersive including homestays, etc.</p>
<p>You also need to consider paying for study abroad. There are several different approaches, with any one approach being “better” for one student, but perhaps not for another. Colleges may have you pay for your own study abroad, perhaps just charging you a transcript fee to award credit. They may or may not apply your financial aid to this cost. Or, colleges may charge you the normal tuiton and pay for the study abroad for you. These options will impact the price of the study abroad program you seek out.</p>
<p>The percentages of study abroad are very misleading. Some schools only count those students studying abroad for at least one full semester. Others include summer abroad or 3 week winter term programs, even when they aren’t much more than glorified vacations.</p>
<p>Finally, broaden your thinking to include programs from top independent providers like SIT and IHP:</p>
<p>[International</a> Honors Program](<a href=“http://www.ihp.edu/]International”>http://www.ihp.edu/)
[SIT</a> Study Abroad](<a href=“http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/]SIT”>http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/)</p>
<p>One of the first things I would check for any college is whether or not the programs from SIT and IHP are pre-approved and whether or not students routinely do them. These are incredible opportunities for anyone considering international relations or international business or international policy or international NGO work.</p>