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Explore Our Standard Study Abroad Programs

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About Standard Programs

An established and well-regarded provider of custom and faculty-led programs, Authentica is expanding into standard program offerings beginning Summer 2025. Our focus is three-fold: advancing the UN SDGs through global education, centering career development, and engaging the whole human in our approach to teaching and experiential learning.

 

We are mission-driven, dedicated to engaging critical global issues through education abroad, and to leveraging our work as a force for good in the world.

Locations & Housing

Authentica standard programs are based in popular study abroad destinations for US undergraduates, but we aim to approach and engage our locations in distinctive, highly intentional ways.  

Summer 2025

  • Florence and Barcelona

Fall 2025

  • Florence, London, Barcelona, Amsterdam

Students are housed in co-ed shared apartments or homestays. 

Curriculum

Summer (6 credits)

  • Innovation in Action: Project-Based Learning - 3 credits
  • Sustainable Development in Context - 3 credits

Semester (12-15 credits)

  • Internship or Innovation in Action: Project-Based Learning - 3 credits (Required)
  • Sustainable Development in Context - 3 credits (Required)
  • talk-bubbles-solid-badged Language & Electives - 3 credits

Course Descriptions

Sustainable Development in Context

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) offer a roadmap for a global future that promotes human flourishing and healthy ecosystems. They are multidisciplinary in nature, spanning human rights, public health, education, gender, economics, energy, urban design, and ecology. Though the SDGs are global in their aim and vision, how they are engaged and achieved falls to individual nations and bodies such as the European Union.  How are different regions and countries seeking to uphold and advance the UN SDGs? Where is there innovation, success, and real progress? What are the challenges and obstacles—globally, regionally, and nationally? Using [location] as classroom and case study, this course examines the aspirations and realities of the UN SDGs through the lens of [location] and the greater European context. Through lectures, field visits, and project work, students engage deeply with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications related to sustainable development, developing their analytical, research, and practical problem-solving skills and preparing them to engage effectively with the global sustainability agenda.

Innovation in Action: Project-Based Learning

Innovation in Action: Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a hands-on course designed to explore the emerging field of social entrepreneurship and innovation while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of how innovation drives sustainable and impactful solutions to social and environmental problems. Through real-world, team-based projects, students will engage with innovation in three essential contexts: the public, private, and citizen sectors, social enterprises (nonprofit, for-profit, and hybrid models), and social transformation across entire systems. Students will have the opportunity to apply theories and methodologies learned through prior coursework and their experience abroad, developing practical solutions that foster social change on local, national, and international levels.

Electives

Students can select from various electives that align with the SDGs, depending on their academic interests. These may include courses in international relations, business ethics, global health, sustainability, and more.   

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Language

Language learning is essential for cultural immersion and building a deeper connection to the local community. Students in non-English speaking location will complete language courses to enhance their experience.  

Our Pillars

Sustainability

Our programs are designed to engage and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encouraging students to critically engage with global challenges through the lens of their host locations.  

Career Development

In addition to the UN SDGs, career development is a key pillar of Authentica programs. We center career readiness throughout our programs, ensuring that students gain professional experience and skills that are highly valued by employers. Career components are developed with a view to NACE competencies in a global context. 

Experiential Pedagogy

Authentica programs engage the whole student—not just intellectually, but also physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It is our belief that learning that takes place on multiple planes, though multiple dimensions, has the most lasting and transformative impact. Students are encouraged to bring their whole selves to their experience, and our pedagogy is designed to engage our students holistically. 

Explore Our Standard Programs

Study Abroad in Florence

Study Abroad in Barcelona

Partner and Student Testimonials

"We look for a partner who is incredibly trustworthy and able to handle logistics for the region, and someone who understands the programming and content we want to develop. Authentica has been a fantastic collaborative partner in the design and creation of high quality content, visits and cultural activities.They have provided our students with experiences that will stay with them for the rest of their professional lives!"
Valerie Slate
Valerie SlateDirector of MBA Global Programs UNC-Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School
"I was selected for a marketing project in the sustainable real estate space, which I had no prior experience in. But the consulting toolkit training we received helped our team structure our approach and develop an effective work plan to solve the challenge. Authentica has been with us at every step of the way, guiding us in the right direction and helping us to align our work with client expectations. They have been super organized throughout the internship!"
Charles Dedekam
Charles DedekamMSc International Management, Ivey Business School Intern at Orange County [India]
"Authentica's attention to detail and logistics is communities and NGOs like Bhagirath, and they experience of the students, facilitators, and communities are second to none among the experiences that I have had on this trip. And I really commend the way that they go about their work, the relationships they put in with make our life incredibly easy and as well as providing an enjoyable experience.”
James Ayers
James AyersTeam Captain, Engineers Without Borders - Australia
“The experience was amazing and one I will never forget thanks to the skilled and friendly people at Authentica. The activities and adventures organised were executed smoothly and were enjoyed by us all. We learnt so much from the homestay experience and I am grateful that Authentica could make that experience possible for us. I would strongly recommend them to anyone looking to get the most out of their stay in India.”
Kallan Finn
Kallan FinnStudent Participant, Swinburne University of Technology
"The Authentica team was a pleasure to work with for our short-term faculty-led program in India. The services were customized to fit our itinerary and everything went according to plan. The guides were hand-picked, hotels and sites were carefully vetted, and no detail was left unmanaged. The team was on-call to assist with any issues even including retrieving lost items and dealing with illness within the group. I strongly recommend Authentica!"
Dr. Kira Espiritu
Dr. Kira EspirituDirector, International Studies Abroad, University of San Diego, California
"I found the experience life-changing. The homestay experience opened my perspective on so many things and it is something I will always remember for the rest of my life. None of it would have been possible without the seamless organization and operation by Authentica. Every Authentica team member that I interacted with were very friendly and helpful."
Chaitanya Talegaonkar
Chaitanya TalegaonkarStudent, Swinburne University of Technology
"Authentica is one of the best partners I've worked with on study abroad programs. Bringing policy and business leaders to India could've been a real challenge, but Authentica delivered outstanding results by understanding our objectives and talking us through wellresearched proposals. I was impressed by their professionalism and passion for delivering culturally authentic experiences - and they are fun too!"
Melissa Edwards Smith
Melissa Edwards SmithDirector of Global Leaders Programs, Center for International Understanding
"In terms of on-ground support, Authentica was amazing. We could really focus on teaching and supporting students, rather than spending too much amount of time worrying about logistics. Authentica did what they are best at and provided a good experience for our students."
Leo Lazarus
Leo LazarusFacilitator, Engineers Without Borders - Australia
“Our group included 35 North Carolina school teachers who had never been to India, several of whom had never been outside the United States. They were all understandably a bit nervous about going to India! But, the Authentica team, with their warmth, professionalism and knowledge, put our delegation at ease from the moment they met us at the airport. Their care with logistics and programming made for a wonderful, transformational experience for everyone. We are all so grateful."
Meredith Henderson
Meredith HendersonSenior Director of Programs, University of North Carolina
"Excellent attention to detail and anticipation of our needs on the ground. You had arranged for some really enriching cultural experiences for our students, like henna and the cricket with locals. But you also understood the academic aspect of the program and the learning opportunity. I think you got the balance between fun and learning just right."
Dr. Jacqueline Thomas
Dr. Jacqueline ThomasLecturer in Humanitarian Engineering at University of Sydney
"The biggest take away of having been in a tour with organized visits with Authentica is the access to companies and speaking with CEOs and founders of different companies in both India and Singapore about what they are doing for their own country and society. It's a way to learn more about local people, local businesses and even local government and thanks to Authentica we got to experience that, which have never experienced before in my life.”
Gad Eidels
Gad EidelsStudent, MBA Program, UNC, Kenan-Flagler Business School
"Authentica did a phenomenal job working with internship host companies to identify and scope projects that addressed company challenges and leveraged our unique backgrounds. They know the region well, have a great network, and are incredibly well organized - this helped us get to know the REAL India."
Edi Studer
Edi StuderIvey Global Lab Participant Google alumni, Travel entrepreneur
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  • info@authentica.com
  • +1 800 414 4138