Study Abroad
Affiliate Programs
As ESF is part of the SUNY system, you can explore numerous study abroad opportunities offered by other SUNY institutions. In most cases, you will maintain your tuition payment through ESF, with other fees directly paid to the respective SUNY school. This setup makes SUNY programs both excellent and cost-effective choices for students.
ESF has partnered with multiple different study abroad providers to provide additional opportunities to ESF students. These opportunities are often intensive, field-based experiences which offer unique opportunities not available through traditional study abroad programs. These partner programs work with ESF to provide specific benefits to ESF students that can often include:
- Application fee waivers
- Preferential program placement
- Additional financial aid assistance
- Automatic scholarship awards
- Guaranteed credit transfer
Although these programs are always changing, SUNY ESF is currently partnered with the following study abroad providers. The Office of International Education strongly encourages SUNY ESF students to research these opportunities and ask any questions about the added benefits awarded to them.
The Sea Education Association (SEA) offers a unique experience in which students live, work, and study on board a tall ship! Students start their studies in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, then set sail on voyages traveling in the Caribbean, New Zealand, Polynesia, and more. Students conduct all the duties of sailing the ship, standing watch, collecting samples, and working in the shipboard lab. ESF students have sailed in the Caribbean, New Zealand, and Phoenix Islands. Visit their website to see all available voyages. Students who complete a semester program with SEA Semester can earn a minor in Marine Science (contact Kim Schulz at kschulz@esf.edu for more information).
ESF is pleased to be an Associate Member institution with IES Abroad. IES offers programs around the world in a variety of disciplines. Many of their programs also offer internship opportunities. ESF students will receive an automatic Public University Grant in addition to being eligible to apply for additional financial aid from IES. Some of the programs best suited to ESF students include Environmental Studies & Sustainability in Freiburg, Germany and the Galápagos Academic Institute for the Arts & Sciences on the Galápagos Islands.
The International Sustainable Development Studies Institute, or ISDSI is based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, but your studies will take you throughout the country as you visit and live amongst different communities. ISDSI emphasizes the importance of partnering with local and indigenous communities to facilitate field-based experiential learning. ISDSI offers semester programs with coursework related to ecology, sustainability, and sociology as well as a new summer program focusing on the ecology, production, and consumption of coffee.
If you enjoy backpacking, camping, and the idea of living in a tent in another country for a few months while participating in ongoing conservation efforts, Round River may be the program for you! They are, first and foremost, a conservation organization which emphasizes building long-lasting, sustainable partnerships with local communities in select areas. Their study abroad programs offer students the opportunity to take part in ongoing projects and research and to learn about conservation work firsthand. ESF students have participated in programs in Botswana (Wildlife Monitoring and Conservation Planning), Patagonia (Adventures in Conservation), and Mongolia (Wildlife Monitoring and Exploration). Visit their website for information on all their programs.
The School for Field Studies operates ten field centers around the world which offer students the unique opportunity to engage in coursework and field work related to various environmental issues. Each center has a slightly different focus, although all are dedicated to promoting sustainable environmental stewardship and conservation. ESF students have participated in SFS programs in Cambodia (focus on Conservation and Development Studies), Costa Rica (focus on Sustainable Development Studies), and Tanzania (focus on Wildlife Management). Visit their website for details on all their programs to find the one that best fits your interests and goals.
SUNY and other Programs
SUNY Study Abroad
Since we are part of the SUNY system, ESF students are eligible to take part in programs offered by any of the other SUNY institutions! These can include short-term, winter, summer, or semester long programs, and are located all over the world. Some of the more popular programs that ESF students have participated in are a faculty-led research in Madagascar with SUNY Stony Brook, University of Canterbury in New Zealand with SUNY Brockport, summer of Renewable Energy, Technology, and Resources Economics in Iceland with SUNY Binghamton, and the Arava Institute in Israel with SUNY Oneonta. You can search all programs on SUNY's study abroad website.
School of International Training
The School of International Training offers experiential, field-based study abroad programs around a variety of critical global issues, including climate/environment. Several of their programs are multi-country, allowing students to consider a global issue or problem from different cultural perspectives. Learn more about their programs on the SIT website.
Please note—if you are interested in the Iceland, Renewable Energy, Technology, and Resources Economics; Serbia, Bosnia, and Kosovo: Peace and Conflict Studies in the Balkans; Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender; or Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights programs, you will need to apply through SUNY Binghamton.
Application Process and Costs
In order to take part in a SUNY or other affiliate program, students must both apply directly to that program as well as complete the ESF Off Campus Study Request process. It is recommended that students apply to these programs early, as there are limited spaces available and programs may fill.
Students participating in a SUNY semester program will pay regular tuition and fees to ESF. All other program fees will be paid to the other SUNY institution. Program fees will vary depending on what is included, for example housing, health insurance, etc.
Students participating in an affiliate program will be responsible for paying all tuition and program fees directly to the study abroad provider. Program costs will vary, and typically include almost all expenses including housing, meals, and in-country transportation. Therefore, students may expect to have lower out of pocket costs for the duration of the program. Students will not be charged ESF tuition for the semester they are abroad, but will generally remain eligible for some financial aid.