Global Educator Opportunities (GEO)
USAC Faculty-Led Programming
USAC has been providing world-class, award-ranking study abroad programs to students for over 40 years, and now we’re offering another way of getting students abroad by collaborating directly with faculty and study abroad offices across the U.S. on faculty-led programs. Our values haven’t wavered and we’re excited to work together on academic programs that align with our mission to inspire international learning and engaged global citizenship through affordable, culturally authentic academic experiences.
Program options
We offer a variety of GEO Custom and Ready Faculty-Led Programs to our 36 Affiliate Universities and active sending partners in our larger network of institutions. Together, we can collaborate on organizing co-curricular and cultural activities, guest lectures, classroom space, and logistics, which can include housing, group meals, and ground transportation.
GEO Custom Faculty-Led Programs
GEO Custom Faculty-Led Programs are perfect for program leaders who have a clear vision in their mind of what they want to achieve and just need USAC to put the pieces together. These programs are available at select USAC Specialty program sites where we have our Resident Directors onsite who can help directly with customization and support. Availability of a specific site depends on program dates, duration, capacity, and various other factors of the request. This list is subject to change.
- Chile: Santiago
- China: Chengdu, Shanghai
- Costa Rica: Heredia
- Cuba: La Habana*
- Czech Republic: Prague
- France: Lyon, Pau
- Germany: Lüneburg
- India: Bengaluru
- Italy: Reggio Emilia, Torino, Viterbo
- Spain: Madrid
- Thailand: Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen
- Uruguay: Montevideo
* January and July only
GEO Ready Faculty-Led Programs
A GEO Ready Faculty-Led Program option is ideal for faculty who are looking for more direction in getting started with building a program. We’ve established a program structure, identified an academic topic, and provided a menu of options for further customization. You let us know your course and what you would like to include from the prepared options, and we mold the program to fit you.
Four of our locations now feature GEO Ready Faculty-Led Program options. You can explore these four locations below to find out program length, ideal times of year, and what we offer. The first run of GEO Ready Faculty-Led Programs will be available for travel summer 2026 through calendar year 2027.
Faculty-led program guidelines
Program should maintain an academic focus and seek to collaborate with USAC for support in co-curricular activities, cultural activities, and logistics. We are unable to provide support solely for individual services (i.e. just need assistance with housing or travel logistics).
May draw upon the existing academic disciplines of our site but we also invite proposals that may fall outside of our existing academic disciplines with relevancy to location itself.
Must take place where USAC has existing local support networks.
To facilitate some cultural immersion, programs ideally run between 1-3 weeks and can occur year-round (determined by site availability).
Enroll a minimum of 10 students. Maximums can vary by site and could be determined by program logistics/availability of services.
Geared toward a degree-seeking undergraduate student population.
USAC logistics coordination and support
On-site staff
The program site is staffed with a Resident Director and Coordinator who will provide an on-site orientation which covers an overview of the location, health and safety, day-to-day living, cultural considerations, and site materials. A USAC staff member, professor, or local guide will accompany the group on most activities unless otherwise specified in the proposal. USAC staff have personal time during nights, weekends, and holidays unless they are leading group in an activity.
Central Office program support
U.S.-based staff to support program leader and institution in planning and preparing for the program. Includes centralized billing to institution. USAC also prepares customized digital materials such as a pre-departure site guide and a health and safety guide, both specific to the program's location.
Health and Safety
USAC has developed safety and security procedures with on-site staff for handling circumstances that adversely impact the well-being of participants at our sites. On-site staff are familiar with local resources including doctors, pharmacies, counselors, private clinics, and hospitals, and have 24/7 access to the USAC U.S.-based Health and Safety Team.
CISI insurance
USAC automatically enrolls students and program leaders in CISI insurance for the duration of the program. The CISI plan provides coverage for sickness and accidents, as well as medical and security evacuations should they be necessary.
Program leader expectations
The program leader is responsible for academic leadership, student supervision, and emergency response, while also closely collaborating with USAC staff onsite for successful program execution. The program leader is the primary point of contact for their group, offering both academic support and personal guidance overseeing the day-to-day management of their group. Ideally program leaders should have international experience and willingness to collaborate in program design, recruit to build their program, and are responsible for course design and delivery.
Submit a request for proposal
Have a vision for a faculty-led program? Let’s make it real. Requests for proposals are appreciated 12-18 months or more prior to program departure and are considered on space availability and capacity at time of request. USAC’s timeline for completion of the proposal depends on the complexity of the request.
To propose a program/request a program proposal, please complete the appropriate online request form below.
