Study Union International (Colombia)

What Study Union International (Colombia) does

Study Union International is a Colombian education advisory firm founded in 1998 and headquartered in Bogotá, operating through five physical offices across Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla, Cali, and Cartagena, with three regional S.A.S. legal entities. The company serves Colombian students, families, and educational institutions by providing end-to-end accompaniment for international study — from program selection and university placement through visa processing, accommodation arrangement (homestays, residences, apartments), and ongoing support during and after the student's time abroad. Its portfolio is organized around four product pillars: Idiomas (language courses in 8+ languages plus exam prep for TOEFL, IELTS, DELF/DALF, SAT, and GMAT), Educación Superior y Becas (undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, master's placement plus scholarships including a 100% U.S. scholarship guarantee), Programas de Verano (summer camps, STEM camps, boarding-school placement from age 8), and Programas Institucionales y Grupos (school partnerships, cultural exchanges, and dual-degree programs awarding American High School diplomas).

The firm is a professional-services consultancy rather than a technology platform; no proprietary AI/ML systems, APIs, or software products are disclosed. Its go-to-market combines consultative in-office counseling, a WhatsApp-first mobile sales motion, school visits and open days for institutional partnerships, content marketing via blog and social channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn), and a digital Cotizador (quote calculator) for lead capture. Pricing is quote-based, varying by destination, program duration, accommodation, and ancillary services such as visa support and airport pickup, with multi-year contract cadence aligned to program length. Revenue derives from advisory and placement fees across the four pillars plus ancillary services (discounted student airfare, medical assistance cards, discount cards). The business is privately held, founder-owned (co-founders Martha Zúñiga and Jorge Otero serve on the board), with no external investment, no public listing, and no disclosed funding rounds.

Name

Study Union International (Colombia)

Legal name

STUDY UNION INTERNATIONAL BOGOTA S.A.S.

Website

https://su.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Study Union International is a Colombian education consultancy, founded in 1998 and operating from five Colombian cities, that advises Colombian students, families, and schools on international study programs including language courses, higher-education placement, scholarships, and summer camps.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Education Advisory

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Language Schools (611630)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Study Abroad Program Operators (THAKAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Student Academic & Personal Support (case management, referrals) (EDALANAE), Academic & Classroom Integration Support (Study Skills, Academic Norms, Integrity) (EDAIAKAG), Study Abroad Program Management & Administration (for Institutions) (EDAIAAAJ)

Keywords

• International education consulting
• Study abroad advisory
• Language program services
• Scholarship placement
• Student visa assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Study Abroad Advisory and Counseling Services: Personalized consulting services accompanying students through the entire process of studying abroad, including program selection, university placement, visa processing, and accommodation arrangements. The service continues with ongoing support during the student's international stay and upon return to Colombia.
2. Language Programs and Exchanges: Language courses abroad combined with cultural immersion experiences. Programs include exam preparation (TOEFL, IELTS, DELF, SAT, GMAT), language learning with work/practice opportunities, and specialized language programs with professional emphases in fields such as medicine, law, culinary arts, and business.
3. Institutional Group Programs: Programs developed for Colombian schools and educational institutions including academic and cultural integration exchanges, Colombian expeditions, and dual-degree programs that award American high school diplomas.
4. Summer Programs: Summer camps and programs for children and youth from age 8, including language plus activities programs, Scouting exchanges, specialized camps (cinema, cooking, acting, sports, STEM), and multi-activity camps in various international destinations.
5. Higher Education Placement Services: Undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, and master's degree placement services in international institutions. Includes pathway programs for academic and language preparation, innovative career programs, and scholarship guarantee programs for U.S. studies.
6. Ancillary Travel Services: Additional services including discounted student airfare tickets, medical assistance cards, and discount cards for students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Study Union International is a Colombian education advisory company that guides students to study abroad. It offers language programs, higher education placement with scholarship advisory, summer programs for students, and institutional/group programs for educational organizations. The company supports students from program selection through visa processing and accommodation arrangements.

Product overview

Study Union International is a Colombian education advisory company with 27 years of experience offering a comprehensive portfolio of international education services. The core offerings include: Idiomas (language programs with courses in 8+ languages, exam preparation, and teacher certifications), Educación Superior y Becas (higher education placement and scholarship services), Programas de Verano (summer camps and youth programs), and Programas Institucionales y Grupos (school partnerships and dual-degree programs). These services connect Colombian students with educational opportunities abroad through personalized advisory, visa processing, accommodation arrangements, and ongoing student support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Language Programs Language immersion and training programs designed for Colombian students seeking to study or improve a foreign language, typically as preparation for or alongside international study.
• Higher Education Placement Advisory and placement service that guides Colombian students through applying to and enrolling in international universities and colleges, including accompanying scholarship advisory support.
• Scholarship Advisory Advisory service that helps Colombian students identify and apply for international scholarship opportunities associated with study abroad programs.
• Summer Programs Short-term summer study abroad programs designed for students seeking international cultural and academic experiences during school breaks.
• Institutional and Group Programs Group and cohort-based international study programs delivered to Colombian educational institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities for their students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% scholarship guarantee for U.S. studies mentioned
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.

• ICEFA (International Association of Foreign Education Consultants)coreOthersICEFA membership indicates compliance with international standards for education abroad consulting and access to a global network of accredited agencies.
• CCEA (Council on the Continuing Education Assembly)coreOthersCouncil certification providing professional credentials for continuing education and international program providers.
• Anex (Education Agency)moderateOthersEducation agency partnership for international program delivery and institutional connections.
• International Educational Institutions (multiple countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with educational institutions in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Malta, South Africa, UAE, and other countries for program delivery including language schools, universities, high schools, and summer camps.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• WorldStrides: Global educational travel provider serving K-12 schools, universities, and sports teams. Comparable to Study Union's institutional programs (school trips, sports scholarships, group travel) for the Colombian K-12 segment.
• Kaplan International: Operates language schools and university pathway programs worldwide, including English-speaking destinations popular with Colombian students (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland). Overlaps with Study Union's language and higher education placement services.
• EF Education First: Global language training and study abroad operator with strong presence in Latin America. Directly comparable to Study Union's language and academic program placements, but at vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): Large US-based nonprofit operating study abroad, exchange, and internship programs with global institutional partnerships. Comparable to Study Union's institutional and academic exchange programs serving students from Latin America.

Direct peers

• Languages Abroad: Online aggregator/agency placing students into language schools worldwide, including Spanish, English, French, and German. Comparable to Study Union's language program placement agency model.
• Don Quijote (formerly don Quijote): Spanish-language school operator with immersion programs in Spain and Latin America. Overlaps with Study Union's language and cultural immersion product line for Colombian outbound students.
• API (Academic Programs International): Study abroad provider offering university-level programs, language immersion, and internships. Direct competitor in the international placement and academic exchange space, similar to Study Union's higher education placement service.
• International Studies Abroad (ISA): US-based study abroad provider placing students from the Americas (and globally) into language, academic, and cultural programs in 30+ countries. Closely comparable in business model of placing students into international language and academic programs.
• Enforex: Spanish-language school network with study abroad programs in Spain and Latin America. Comparable to Study Union's Spanish-focused language programs and immersion offerings.

Regional players

• Berlitz Colombia: Global language training provider with a Colombian presence offering courses in English, Portuguese, and other languages. Comparable to Study Union's language course and exam preparation offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/StudyUnionInternational
• Facebookfacebook.com/studyunion
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/study-union
• Instagraminstagram.com/studyunion

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Study Union International (Colombia)