Academic credit for students

Students have the opportunity to build college confidence and earn college credit by enrolling in an exclusive online course from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). The course, PDHU 480D: Interculturalism and Global Exploration, helps students explore their destination, challenge their own assumptions, and discover connections between people, places, and cultures. Designed to make tour better, not harder, the course forgoes lectures, textbooks, and tests for a flexible design that facilitates reflection on students’ on-tour experiences—moments that might include trying a new food, striking up a conversation with someone new, or snapping a photo of a much-anticipated landmark.

How it works

• Who’s eligible? U.S. students in grades 9–12 taking an EF tour.
• How does it work? Students can earn college credit by completing a series of assignments and a final research project with EF’s university partner, SNHU. Courses are administered online and take place post-tour during a 16-week asynchronous semester that runs on SNHU’s standard academic calendar. Shortly after undergoing the registration process, students will be asked to select a post-tour semester to take the course.
• What do students earn? Successful course completion will earn students 3.0 college credits that are fully transferrable across many major public and private universities in the U.S.
• How much does it cost? As of October 1, 2023, tuition is $360 ($120 per credit hour) for any traveler who adds the course to their tour by July 1, 2025. Pricing is subject to change after this date.
• What’s the deadline? Courses fill fast, so we strongly recommend that students register at least two weeks prior to their tour to ensure a spot in their preferred SNHU semester.
• Where do I sign up? Email [email protected] to register. Shortly after undergoing the registration process, students will self-select a 16-week SNHU semester that will take place after their tour returns.
• When can I take the course? The course is taken post-tour during a 16-week semester that runs on SNHU’s standard semester calendar. Shortly after undergoing the registration process, students will receive an email requiring them to select a semester for the course post-tour. The semester they choose should end no later than one year after their tour returns. Course details and login information will be emailed to students a few weeks prior to the start of the chosen semester.
• Where can I learn more about the course? Visit efexploreamerica.com/snhustudent.
• What if I still have questions? Email [email protected].

The Personalized Learning Guide helps students put a more personal lens on their tour by tapping into their own interests and passions. Students learn on a deeper level when what they’re learning connects to their own lives, and the Personalized Learning Guide makes sure it happens on tour.

How it works

• Who’s eligible? U.S. students taking an EF tour in grades 6–12.
• How does it work? Using EF’s guided learning model, students develop an essential question to investigate on tour, then create a post-tour project.
• What do students earn? Successful course completion based on the rubric will earn students 0.5 elective high school credits. Grading, credit, and transcripts are provided through EF. If an official high school transcript is required, please email [email protected].
• How much does it cost? Tuition is free and there are no fees.
• Where do I sign up? Email [email protected] to request the course work packet called “EF’s Personalized Learning Guide.” Be sure to complete the pre-tour course requirements shortly after receiving the coursework packet.
• What’s the deadline? To complete pre-tour course requirements, students must request the coursework packet titled the “Personalized Learning Guide” no later than seven days before leaving for tour. Request the guide here: [email protected].
• What if I still have questions? Email [email protected].

EF courses are aligned with National Social Studies Standards (NCSS), 21st Century Skills (P21), Standards for Foreign Language Learning (ACTFL), Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, and the EdSteps Global Competency Matrix.

The UnCommon App is a series of exercises that help students use their tour as inspiration for a college essay that will stand out to any college admissions officer. (And, yes, it works for more than just college essays. It’s also great fodder for high school applications, resumes, cover letters, or anything that requires some good old self-awareness.)

To learn more, download the UnCommon App (PDF) here.

How it works

• Who’s eligible? U.S. students taking an EF tour in grades 6–12.
• How does it work? Students follow exercises pre-tour, on tour, and post-tour to discover, explore, and translate their experience into a great college essay.
• What do students earn? These exercises will create amazing college essays, high school applications, resumes, cover letters, or just some good old self-awareness.
• How much does it cost? Tuition is free and there are no fees.
• What’s the deadline? Students should begin work prior to tour.
• Where do I sign up? Visit efexploreamerica.com/uncommon.
• What if I still have questions? Email [email protected].