CIS Abroad
CIS Abroad is a US-based study abroad and intern abroad provider founded in 2000, serving American college students across 11 countries through accredited university partnerships and on-site cultural programs. Following its July 2025 acquisition by CEA CAPA Education Abroad (Infinedi Partners), it operates as part of a larger global education abroad network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersNorthampton, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What CIS Abroad does
CIS Abroad is a US-based study abroad and intern abroad program provider founded in 2000 (incorporated as CIS Abroad, Inc.) and headquartered in Easthampton, Massachusetts. The company serves primarily US college and university students seeking semester, summer, January/maymester, academic-year, and internship-abroad experiences in 11 countries (Australia, Costa Rica, England, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Thailand) plus multi-country itineraries. Programs are delivered through partnerships with accredited host universities (60%+ of Business offerings are AACSB-accredited), a Jacksonville University school-of-record relationship that transcripts 3-6 credits for internships, and on-site Site Directors in each location operating a "Local Life" cultural co-curriculum.
The technology stack is a web-based program management platform comprising a mobile-friendly online application (completable in under 10 minutes), student portals for documents and tracking, learning-management integrations with partner universities, and a micro-credential issuance layer on Badgr (Cross-Cultural Agility, Global Agility, Global Citizenship, Working Across Cultures). The go-to-market blends product-led growth (self-service application) with inside sales (Global Advisors by phone/text/chat at +1-877-617-9090), community-led growth (alumni ambassadors, Bring a Friend $100-$250 referral discounts, Go Again returning-student incentives), and event-driven engagement (virtual fairs, Meet & Greets, NAFSA/Forum on Education Abroad/Diversity Abroad participation).
Revenue is generated primarily through one-time program fees billed per semester/summer/intern term (range: $4,000-$36,000 by program and country), a $95 application fee, deposits of $300-$500, and a $500 fee for Jacksonville University academic credit. The company distributes $320,000+ annually in scholarships/grants, with 70% of students receiving some form of financial aid. In July 2025, CIS Abroad was acquired by CEA CAPA Education Abroad (a portfolio company of Infinedi Partners) alongside sister brands CISaustralia and Barcelona SAE, integrating the operator into a larger global education abroad network.
CIS Abroad firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CIS Abroad
- Legal name
- CIS Abroad, Inc.
- Website
- https://cisabroad.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- CIS Abroad is a US-based study abroad and intern abroad provider founded in 2000, serving American college students across 11 countries through accredited university partnerships and on-site cultural programs. Following its July 2025 acquisition by CEA CAPA Education Abroad (Infinedi Partners), it operates as part of a larger global education abroad network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CIS Abroad industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Study Abroad Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General Language Schools (Multi-Language) (EDAIAEAA)
Keywords
Where CIS Abroad is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Northampton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CIS Abroad business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Program Fees: CIS Abroad generates primary revenue through program fees charged to students for study abroad and intern abroad experiences. Fees vary by program type (semester, summer, internship), destination country, duration, and housing options. Program fees include tuition, housing, medical and accident insurance, airport pickup, orientation, cultural excursions, and on-site support.
- Application Fee: A $95 application fee is charged upon initial application submission, which unlocks access to the online participant community and scholarship applications.
- Program Deposits: Students pay deposits ($300-$500) to secure their spot on programs, with deadlines typically 2-4 weeks before final payment deadlines.
- Internship Credit Fee: A $500 fee is added for interns who wish to receive academic credit through Jacksonville University partnership (3-6 credits for 6-10 week internships).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Semester Programs (15-17 weeks) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Summer Programs (3-12 weeks) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Internship Programs (6-10 weeks) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | January/Maymester Programs (2-3 weeks) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Application Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Deposits |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
CIS Abroad product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CIS Abroad designs and delivers study abroad and intern abroad programs for US college students at partner universities across 11 countries plus multi-country itineraries. Program packages include tuition, housing, medical and accident insurance, airport pickup, orientation, cultural excursions, on-site support, and (for internships) academic credit through a Jacksonville University partnership. Pricing is structured by program type and duration (semester, summer, January/Maymester, academic year, internship) with a $95 application fee, $300–$500 enrollment deposits, and a separate $500 academic credit fee for interns.
Product overview
CIS Abroad is a study abroad and intern abroad provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs. The core offerings include Study Abroad Programs (semester, summer, and short-term options at partner universities across 12+ countries), Intern Abroad Programs (career-focused internships with academic credit), and Study + Intern Programs (combined academic and professional experiences). Supporting add-on modules include Micro-Credentials (Cross-Cultural Agility, Global Agility, Global Citizenship, Working Across Cultures) for professional skill certification, and Jacksonville University partnership credit programs. The company has expanded through acquisitions of CISaustralia and Barcelona SAE brands. Additional services include Greek Life programming, custom institutional programs, and consulting services for universities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 25,000+ students have transformed their lives through CIS Abroad programs since 2000
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use CIS Abroad
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CIS Abroad technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CIS Abroad partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- CEA CAPA Education AbroadflagshipInfinedi Partners' portfolio company CEA CAPA Education Abroad completed the acquisition of CIS Abroad, CISaustralia, and Barcelona SAE from Global Educators. CIS Abroad and CEA CAPA Education Abroad are joining forces to create an expanded global network with even more opportunities for students. The acquisition positions CIS Abroad within the CEA CAPA organization while maintaining its brand identity.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CIS Abroad competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- IES Abroad: IES Abroad is a nonprofit study abroad provider offering semester, summer, and January programs across more than 30 locations. It competes head-to-head with CIS Abroad for the same US undergraduate customer and the same university advisor relationships.
- API (Academic Programs International): API is a study abroad provider offering semester, summer, short-term, and intern abroad programs across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. It targets the same US college student segment and competes directly on price, country coverage, and academic credit transfer.
- SAI Programs: SAI is a US-based study abroad provider offering semester, summer, and internship programs focused on Italy, Spain, and France. It overlaps directly with CIS Abroad on European destination programs and the same US student demographic.
- CAPA International Education: CAPA International Education is a US-based study abroad and internship provider with programs in multiple cities globally. It is highly comparable in scale, model, and customer focus to CIS Abroad and now sits under the same CEA CAPA Education Abroad umbrella.
- CEA CAPA Education Abroad: CEA CAPA is a US-based study abroad provider offering semester, summer, and internship programs in multiple countries. It is now CIS Abroad's parent company following the July 2025 acquisition, making it the most directly comparable operator in the same product category and customer base.
- ISA (International Studies Abroad) by WorldStrides: ISA, part of WorldStrides, provides study, intern, and service-learning programs in dozens of countries for US undergraduates. It is a direct competitor on multi-country coverage, program pricing, and academic credit partnerships.
- USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium): USAC is a nonprofit study abroad program based at the University of Nevada, Reno, offering semester, summer, and short-term programs across 50+ locations. It competes with CIS Abroad for value-conscious US undergraduates and faculty-led custom programs.
Broad incumbents
- CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is one of the largest US study abroad and intercultural exchange organizations, offering programs across dozens of countries. It is a broad incumbent with significantly larger scale and brand recognition than CIS Abroad but operates in the same product category.
- EF Education First (EF College Study Abroad): EF Education First is a global education company offering language, cultural exchange, and academic programs. Its college study abroad division competes with CIS Abroad for the same US student base while leveraging EF's much larger global brand and operational footprint.
Regional players
- Semester at Sea (Institute for Shipboard Education): Semester at Sea is a multi-country study abroad program that takes students to multiple ports over a single semester. It is comparable in offering multi-country, multi-discipline programs to US college students but differs in delivery model (ship-based) and is therefore a thematic rather than head-to-head competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CIS Abroad social profiles
Digital presenceCIS Abroad financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CIS Abroad leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
CIS Abroad funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CIS Abroad M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CIS Abroad
What does CIS Abroad do?
CIS Abroad designs and delivers study abroad and intern abroad programs for US college students at partner universities across 11 countries plus multi-country itineraries. Program packages include tuition, housing, medical and accident insurance, airport pickup, orientation, cultural excursions, on-site support, and (for internships) academic credit through a Jacksonville University partnership. Pricing is structured by program type and duration (semester, summer, January/Maymester, academic year, internship) with a $95 application fee, $300–$500 enrollment deposits, and a separate $500 academic credit fee for interns.
Is CIS Abroad a public or private company?
CIS Abroad is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was CIS Abroad founded?
CIS Abroad was founded in 2000. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is CIS Abroad based?
CIS Abroad is headquartered in Northampton, United States, in the North America region.
How does CIS Abroad make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are application Fee, program Deposits and internship Credit Fee.
Who are CIS Abroad's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are IES Abroad, API (Academic Programs International), SAI Programs, CAPA International Education, CEA CAPA Education Abroad, ISA (International Studies Abroad) by WorldStrides and USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium). Broad incumbents are CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) and EF Education First (EF College Study Abroad). Semester at Sea (Institute for Shipboard Education) is listed as a regional player.
Does CIS Abroad have an API?
No public API is recorded for CIS Abroad.
What industry is CIS Abroad in?
CIS Abroad's product category is Study Abroad Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAEAA, General Language Schools (Multi-Language). Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.