Faculty-Led Programs

Custom Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

FTI designs custom study-abroad programs around your course objectives, budget, and destination priorities while helping faculty and education-abroad teams manage group travel logistics, traveler information, deadlines, and support when plans change.

Tailored to Your Course

Custom programs aligned with your course goals, destination & budget.

A Team You Can Trust

Human help & automated systems to support you at every step.

Every Detail Covered

From brainstorming to travel + 24/7 helpline, ground support & post-trip advocacy.

Why Build Your Program with FTI?

  • One-Stop Shop: Work with one point of contact who keeps every element in alignment: flights, accommodations, transportation, meals, educational visits, cultural activities, and service-learning opportunities.
  • A Cost-Conscious Approach: We help you make informed choices that support both your academic goals and your budget, sharing insider tips and practical insights.
  • Richer Experiences Through Local Expertise: Our in-country partners bring in-depth knowledge, local connections, and tailored recommendations that elevate each itinerary.
  • Simple Tools for Easier Administration: One convenient hub for program documents, destination resources, registration tools, and automated deadline reminders.
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance: After-hours helpline and in-country contacts prepared to assist if any issues arise.
Students on boat in river

Programs Designed Around Your Course

Every FTI program is built from the ground up around your unique goals. Tell us what your students need to learn, where you want to go, and any activities you have in mind. If you are still exploring options, we can recommend destinations and program components that are a strong fit for your course, then provide the in-country support you need to lead with confidence, even in a place you have not visited before.

Whether you are planning for a secondary school, college or university, or professional organization, FTI can build a program around your learning objectives. We also design interdisciplinary programs that bring together two complementary areas of study in one shared itinerary. Working closely with faculty and administrators, our team develops academically meaningful, logistically sound itineraries with your group’s budget in mind.

Viable group size depends on the destination, program details, and travel dates. Faculty-led programs are generally designed for groups of 15+ participants, and group airfare is available for 10+ travelers.

Women in Indian dresses

Custom Tour Components

In addition to handling trip logistics & arranging visits to the typical sites, we can facilitate a variety of interactive components. Build your own program by packaging any or all of these services.

Group Flights
In-country & international flights

Event Tickets
Performances, festivals & sporting events

Accommodations
Hotels & other available accomodations

Meals
Half-board, full-board & group dinners

Ground Transportation
Airport transfers, coach & rail

Expert Local Guides
Personalized insights into culture and history

Activities for Special Interests
Exclusive access to sites & educational experiences

Cultural Immersion
Cook, dance & make local handicrafts

Service Providers
Volunteer with sustainable NGOs

Travel Insurance
Medical & comprehensive policies

Where Can Your Program Go?

FTI creates custom faculty-led programs in destinations around the world. Use the table below to explore countries by region.

Don’t see your destination? Contact our team. We can help you explore possibilities in additional locations based on your academic focus and travel needs.

Egypt
Ghana
Kenya
Madagascar
Morocco
South Africa
Tanzania
Tunisia
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Make Learning More Experiential

A faculty-led program can turn course concepts into firsthand learning through experiences such as:

Cultural Activities

Our custom itineraries provide a blend of education, exploration, and unforgettable experiences.

Explore fascinating museums, iconic landmarks, and historical sites. See the beauty of natural wonders and engage in meaningful experiences through service-learning or volunteer activities, connecting with local communities. Immerse your students in local culture by securing tickets to exciting events, whether it's cheering at sports matches or enjoying live music.

 

Interactive Activities
Visits & Meetings
Behind-the-Scenes Access
Interdisciplinary Studies

From health and engineering to business, humanities, language, social sciences, and beyond, FTI helps faculty create programs that connect students with the people, places, and perspectives behind their studies.

Group Air Expertise

Our 45+ years of experience in non-profit travel has given our team unique expertise in everything from national airlines to remote-area airport connection times. Your FTI program advisor will use this experience to offer proactive advice and coordinate complex air and ground itineraries, simplifying the logistics that can consume a faculty leader’s time. 

For 10+ travelers, we can book flights up to 10-11 months prior to your trip's return date. Requesting a quote early generally gives your group more flight availability and more time to evaluate dates, airports, and airline terms. Peak travel periods and international trips often require additional lead time.

Just need flights? OK!

Support for Faculty & Study Abroad Offices

For Faculty Leaders

You bring the academic vision. FTI helps turn it into a practical, engaging international program (within your budget).

Whether you are leading your first faculty-led program or have traveled with students before, our team is here to help. We can brainstorm destinations and distinctive program components, recommend experiences that strengthen your course objectives, and build an itinerary that gives students meaningful learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

Once your program takes shape, we support the details that make it possible, including logistics, timelines, traveler information management, and coordination throughout the planning process.

For Study Abroad Offices

FTI works within your institution’s approval processes, policies, preferred partners, payment timelines, and reporting requirements. Our team has extensive experience supporting custom international programs for colleges, universities, and education-abroad organizations.

Study abroad coordinators can also receive administrative-level access to Ubi, FTI’s online portal, for visibility into all FTI-operated programs at their institution. From one place, your team can view program status, documents, traveler details, payments, deadlines, registration activity, and other key information across programs.

We can also partner with your office to host faculty roundtables or information sessions focused on program recruitment, budget-conscious planning, brainstorming future programs, and practical strategies for developing successful faculty-led experiences.

Ubi Makes Planning Easy!

See what our free online portal can do for you.

Access as Administrator or Group Leader

Request a Quote or Consultation

Sign Agreement

Customize an Online Registration Form

Manage Passenger Details

Make Payments

Track Organization &/or Participant Payments

Contact Your FTI Team

Keep Travel Documents
in One Place

Receive Reminders for Upcoming Deadlines

Utilize Travel Resources

Monitor Unused
Ticket Credits

How it Works

1. Share Your Program Vision

Tell us about your course, destination ideas, travel window, anticipated group size, learning objectives, and budget priorities.

2. Build Your Custom Itinerary

Your FTI program advisor works with vetted in-country partners to develop an itinerary that balances academic value, cultural learning, logistics, and cost.

3. Launch and Manage Your Program

Once services are confirmed, use Ubi to manage registration, traveler details, documents, payments, and key deadlines.

4. Prepare and Travel with Support

Your Trip Operations Specialist helps with traveler updates, payment tracking, special needs, itinerary changes, and pre-departure readiness. During travel, ticketed travelers have access to FTI’s after-hours emergency helpline; custom-program leaders also receive in-country emergency contacts.

Ready to Build Your Faculty-Led Program?

Share your course goals, destination ideas, preferred travel dates, and expected group size. An FTI program advisor will help you turn your academic vision into an international learning experience your students will remember.

Fellowship Travel
International

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