Student-Athletes Abroad: Designed By Athletes For Athletes

Student-Athletes Enjoy Their Time Abroad In Europe

Studying abroad has the power to completely change the trajectory of a student’s life. It’s more than just traveling—it’s stepping into new cultures, seeing the world from a different perspective, and growing in ways that simply aren’t possible from home. Pair that with an internship, and you will have the opportunity to gain professional experience that will set you up for your next step in life.

Sounds like a no-brainer, right?

For most students, it is. But for student-athletes, it’s not that simple.

Between demanding training schedules, competitions, and year-round commitments, opportunities like studying or interning abroad often feel out of reach. While their peers are gaining professional experience and exploring the world, many student-athletes are left trying to figure out if they can fit those same experiences into their already packed schedules.

That’s exactly the problem the former athletes behind Student-Athletes Abroad set out to solve.

In 2010, they moved to Costa Rica with a mission to remove the barriers that keep student-athletes from accessing these life-changing opportunities. They reimagined what study abroad could look like and built programs specifically designed to fit the needs of student-athletes without sacrificing their sport development.

So if you’ve ever felt like studying or interning abroad “isn’t realistic” as an athlete, this is for you.

Keep reading to see how Student-Athletes Abroad makes it possible and why you shouldn’t wait to embark on your next adventure around the world. 

1. Shorter Program Sessions

When Student-Athletes Abroad was first created, our goal was to address one of the biggest barriers preventing student-athletes from studying abroad: time commitment. Between demanding in-season schedules, off-season training, and year-round team obligations, traditional semester-long study abroad programs often feel unrealistic. For many athletes, the idea of stepping away for an entire term simply isn’t feasible.

We designed our programs to meet athletes where they are. By offering 3-week study abroad experiences at multiple points throughout the summer, student-athletes can participate without interfering with their competitive seasons or team responsibilities. This structure allows them to gain international experience while still staying fully committed to their sport.

2. Training Opportunities

We also recognize that time away from campus doesn’t mean time away from training. For most student-athletes, maintaining strength, conditioning, and sport-specific development is non-negotiable. This creates another common barrier: access to the right facilities and equipment while abroad.

That’s why every Student-Athletes Abroad participant is provided with a gym membership in their destination. Athletes can stay consistent with their lifting programs and conditioning routines, ensuring they return home feeling prepared. Beyond general fitness access, we work closely with athletes on a case-by-case basis to secure sport-specific training environments. Whether it’s a court, field, track, or pool, we prioritize finding the right spaces so athletes can continue developing in their sport while abroad.

3. Professional Development

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Another often overlooked barrier for student-athletes is access to professional development opportunities. While their peers may be building resumes and gaining professional experience through internships, student-athletes are often forced to put those opportunities on hold.

At Student-Athletes Abroad, we believe that preparing for life after sport is just as important as competing in it. That’s why our programs are intentionally designed to include internship opportunities that allow athletes to gain meaningful, hands-on professional experience while abroad.

Through these experiences, student-athletes are able to build transferable skills such as communication, adaptability, and problem-solving. Not only does this help strengthen their resumes, but it also gives them the confidence and perspective needed to navigate their future careers.

By integrating professional development into the study abroad experience, Student-Athletes Abroad ensures that athletes don’t have to choose between their sport and their future. They can invest in both at the same time, setting themselves up to enter life after sport with their best foot forward.

At the end of the day, studying abroad shouldn’t feel out of reach for student-athletes. With the right structure and support, it can become one of the most impactful parts of their college experience—enhancing not only their athletic journey, but their personal and professional growth as well.

Student-Athletes Abroad was built with this exact mission in mind: to remove the barriers that have traditionally held athletes back and replace them with opportunities to grow, explore, and prepare for what comes next.

This summer, athletes have the opportunity to be part of programs in incredible destinations, including Greece, Japan, South Africa, and Northern Ireland, just to name a few.  Each program is designed to combine sport, culture, and career development.

So what are you waiting for? Learn more about our summer programs by visiting https://www.saabroad.com/ and see how your sport can take you abroad.