Part of Fox Valley Technical College’s mission is to prepare students to meet the workforce needs of our community. For some students, that preparation extends beyond the classroom — and beyond U.S. borders.
Study Abroad at FVTC offers an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of their program of study while applying a global perspective to their learning.
“In today’s career environment, jobs — whether in healthcare, business, agriculture, law enforcement — have an overlap of cultures, diverse backgrounds and evolving technologies,” says Samantha Rosario, manager of FVTC Study Abroad opportunities. “It is critical to make global learning part of a technical education.”
Many FVTC Study Abroad programs are designed with a specific academic area in mind, while others focus more broadly on cultural comparison and immersion. Whatever the program, studying abroad creates space for students to practice and reinforce both technical and soft skills in real-world settings.
Technical skills development often involves hands-on, field-based learning experiences, such as witnessing courtroom trials, volunteering and caring for vulnerable populations, engaging in research in rainforest stations or participating in master pastry-making workshops.
The soft skills students gain — while harder to measure — are equally valuable to career readiness, creating a stronger, more confident workforce.
“Students return to classes with higher levels of dedication, understanding and passion for their career field.” Samantha says. “Students also increase their critical thinking skills and adaptability, furthering their ability to push through future challenges in creative manners.”
Learn more about upcoming Study Abroad opportunities
The first deadline to apply to 2027 Study Abroad programs is December 1, 2026.
Follow FVTC and Study Abroad & International Education on Facebook and Instagram for updates on the upcoming 2026 experiences:
- Agriculture to Germany – May 15-26
- Neurodiagnostic Technologist to Austria and Switzerland – May 16-28
- Occupational Therapy Assistant to Guatemala – May 23-31
- Criminal Justice & Forensic Science to England – June 1-11
- Intercultural Communications to Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France) – June 1-14
