CCSA Mission and Values
CCSA offers short-term study abroad courses led by faculty from our member institutions. Each course is independently taught but operates within a shared program structure that encourages collaboration among faculty and students and across disciplines. Courses are designed with three parts: preparation before departure, experiential learning onsite (typically two weeks), and post-travel reflection or coursework.
Whether studying theater in London, exploring marine life in Australia, or Irish folklore, CCSA students connect what they learn in the classroom to the people and places they encounter. This approach transforms academic content into lived experience, preparing students to become thoughtful global citizens and future leaders.
Our Mission and Vision
Mission
The Cooperative Center for Study Abroad creates transformative global learning opportunities for students, faculty, and life-long learners.
Vision
The Cooperative Center for Study Abroad envisions universities where international learning is a standard part of higher education and all faculty and students can participate in meaningful study abroad experiences to foster professional and personal growth.
Celebrate Our Variety & Diversity
At CCSA, we believe that learning through difference is one of the most powerful aspects of global education. By stepping into unfamiliar places and working alongside people with different lived experiences, we come to appreciate the rich diversity that makes us human. This understanding is central to our mission.
We are committed to treating our participants with respect and dignity. We aim to provide equitable access to international learning, including for those who are traditionally underserved.
Our Mission In Action
CCSA builds a community of scholars who share knowledge beyond the traditional classroom. Our programs encourage students to develop independence, responsibility, and cross-cultural competence. We support our faculty through professional development opportunities that enhance their global teaching practices, and we promote intergenerational learning through immersive experiences worldwide.
Member institutions range from large public universities to small private colleges, serving a combined enrollment of more than 200,000 students. Our programs are developed in partnership with these institutions, and we provide the logistical support and academic framework necessary to deliver meaningful international experiences.
Looking Forward
Through meaningful international experiences, CCSA continues to shape how students learn, how faculty teach, and how institutions collaborate. Our commitment to innovation, equity, and student success ensures that the global learning journey begins here and reaches far beyond.
CCSA specializes in working with colleges and universities needing extra support to meet their international education goals. We provide a format that enables faculty new to teaching abroad to build those skills within a supportive cohort with on-site peer mentoring.
CCSA welcomes conversations with institutions exploring membership or sending a visiting faculty for one program.