Opening Global Doors: Study Abroad Pathways for California Community College Students

Community colleges enroll nearly half of all undergraduate students in the United States, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in study abroad participation. According to the Institute of International Education, only about 7% of U.S. study abroad participants in 2020–2021 (1)  came from community colleges.

This gap is a well-known issue that has existed for several decades, as reported by long-standing organizations (2). One participant indicated that institutions perpetuate this situation by solely focusing on the barriers that students might face. This deficit perspective limits how study abroad is presented, thus biasing students’ ability to even consider these opportunities.

As part of the DA Global Impact Fellowship, I conducted an environmental scan focused on study abroad resources available to California Community College students and the organizations that support them. The goal is to better understand the ecosystem and identify opportunities for community college professionals to collaborate and expand access for this student population.

What the Landscape Shows

While California is home to the largest community college system in the country, the ecosystem to support community college students is scattered at best, making it more difficult for students to navigate, access, and understand what is available to them. Conversations with partners and a review of available resources revealed several important patterns:

1. The pathway is underdeveloped

Many programs that welcome community college students do not clearly advertise this on their websites, making it harder for students and advisors to know where to begin.

2. The ecosystem is scattered

Multiple organizations support global learning in community colleges, but there is no single hub that aggregates their resources or opportunities.

3. Persistent deficit framing creates barriers

Institutions often focus on perceived obstacles (cost, preparation, and credit transfer) rather than the strengths and interests of community college learners and the career benefits global learning provides. This deficit perspective can unintentionally reduce enthusiasm and limit student engagement.

4. System-level planning rarely includes global learning

California’s Vision 2030 roadmap (3), for example, outlines ambitious goals for workforce and academic success but does not foreground global learning, despite the well-documented benefits for career readiness and intercultural development.

Opportunities for Practitioners Supporting Community College Students

This landscape scan highlights several areas where institutions, advisors, and practitioners can take action to improve access and visibility for community college learners:

1. Make community college students visible in your programming.

Ensure your study abroad materials, webpages, and outreach efforts clearly indicate whether two-year students are eligible and how they can participate.

2. Strengthen partnerships with organizations already serving this population.

Groups such as CCIE, CCID, and SAA offer existing models, resources, and networks that can support or expand community-college-focused global learning pathways.

3. Shift the narrative away from barriers.

Use strengths-based language when discussing global opportunities with students. Highlight their goals, lived experiences, and academic pathways rather than emphasizing obstacles.

4. Highlight flexible and varied program formats.

Short-term, faculty-led, COIL, and hybrid programs can be especially accessible for community college students balancing work, family, or transfer goals.

5. Engage colleagues across campus.

Connect with academic advisors, career services, TRIO staff, EOPS programs, and transfer centers to ensure global learning options are understood and visible throughout the institution.

6. Share examples and success stories.

Showcasing the experiences of community college alumni who studied abroad can help normalize participation and create relatable pathways for future students.

Looking Ahead

Expanding global learning opportunities for community college students requires planning and cross-campus collaboration. With nearly 2 million students in the California Community College system alone, this represents a large and diverse population with tremendous potential. Increasing visibility, strengthening partnerships, and reframing messaging can help ensure more community college students see global learning as possible and as a meaningful part of their academic journey.

(1) Institute of International Education (2022). IIE Celebrates #CCMonth recognizing community colleges’ contributions to international education.

(2) Humphrys, J. and Koller, A (1994). The vision and the history. 1976-1994. Community Colleges for International Development Inc. 

(3) California Community Colleges (2023). Vision 2030. A roadmap for California Community Colleges. September 26, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.cccco.edu/-/media/CCCCO-Website/docs/report/Vision-2030-A-Roadmap-for-California-Com munity-Colleges.pdf