Beyond the Capital:

Rethinking the Itinerary

Everyone knows the draw of major cities like Paris, Rome, London, and Amsterdam, since they anchor study abroad programs for a reason.

But as costs climb and crowds at the usual landmarks grow faster than ever, we are increasingly asking one question:

Does the capital city always need to be the center of the itinerary?

In response, our program managers and faculty leaders are increasingly considering exploring many of Europe’s “second cities”—such as Porto, Leipzig, Bologna, Ghent, and Valencia just to name a few.

These mid-sized cities offer some advantages:

• Daily expenses, housing, and restaurants tend to cost less.
• Access to relationships with locals that foster deep cultural and linguistic immersion.

Capital and big cities in Europe will always have their place and be important, but as a field, if we can contribute to both positive experience and impact on the community, we can make a better world together.

What is your experience?

Your program can have a positive impact on communities; check out the sustainability wheel below: