Rising Scholars Abroad

Begin your adventures abroad with Abilene Christian University. Experience new cultures, build community and make unforgettable memories. Through courses taught by some of ACU’s most talented faculty, you’ll receive one hour of college credit and an experience to last a lifetime.

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KEY DATES

November 5, 2026

Application Opens

January 15, 2027

Early Application Deadline

Rising Scholars students pose for a pic on top of a double-decker bus.

Study Abroad in High School

With ACU’s Rising Scholars Abroad program, you can get a taste of ACU’s nationally ranked Study Abroad program while still in high school. Join a group of fellow students and standout ACU faculty for a week-long adventure. You’ll connect with a new place, explore an academic interest and earn 1 hour of college credit.

2027 Rising Scholars Abroad Offerings

Explore the art, architecture, history and literature of some of the world’s most important cities with ACU faculty who love what they teach. More information about specific course offerings to come before the application opens in November.

A Rising Scholar student in Germany looking at pillars.

Leipzig and Berlin, Germany

June 12-19, 2027

Great German Scientists
Cost: $3,200

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” — Sir Isaac Newton. Our understanding of science is built upon the discoveries of those who came before us. In this course, we will explore the lives and achievements of renowned German scientists whose work has transformed our understanding of gravity, DNA, disease treatment, electricity, space, and more. Traveling through Leipzig, Potsdam, and Berlin, we will retrace their footsteps while experiencing German culture and innovation firsthand. Students will also visit the BMW factory to explore modern engineering and technology as well as the Science Spectrum Museum in Berlin to discover how scientific innovation has shaped everyday life. Through science, history, and cultural exploration, we will consider how the pursuit of knowledge can deepen our appreciation for the complexity and wonder of God’s creation.

Rising Scholars students white water rafting in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica

June 12-19, 2027

Business, Culture & Sustainability
Cost: $2,500

What happens when business, culture, food, nature, and adventure all come together? In Costa Rica, the entire country becomes our classroom! Students will visit local businesses and organizations, meet entrepreneurs and community leaders, experience authentic Costa Rican food and culture, and discover how business, social impact, sustainability, and environmental stewardship shape the way people live, work, and build their communities.

But this course is also about getting out and experiencing Costa Rica firsthand. Students will visit a cacao farm and learn how cacao becomes chocolate, adventure through the jungle, and explore the incredible landscapes around Turrialba, a region surrounded by mountains and home to an active volcano. Along the way, students will experience the “Pura Vida” lifestyle, spend time in rural communities, and discover a side of Costa Rica far beyond the typical tourist experience. Get off the beaten path, try new things, meet new people, and experience the adventure, culture, and natural beauty of Costa Rica!

Rising Scholars students at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

Normandy and Paris, France

June 26-July 3, 2027

Art, Heists, and WWII in France
Cost: $3,200

Explore the dramatic world of stolen art, wartime intrigue, and cultural survival in France. From the systematic looting of masterpieces during World War II to the recent 2025 heist at the Louvre, students will investigate famous works of art, the stories behind their theft, and the efforts to recover and preserve cultural treasures.

Our journey begins in Normandy, where we’ll visit Bayeux and the D-Day beaches, exploring the Allied invasion that helped liberate France and ultimately paved the way for the recovery of thousands of stolen works of art. We’ll visit Giverny, the home and gardens of Claude Monet, before heading to Paris to explore world-renowned museums including the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. Along the way, students will uncover stories of wartime courage, hidden masterpieces, and remarkable recoveries while discovering how art, war, and history intersect.

Rising Scholar students in Oxford by red telephone booth.

Oxford and London, England

June 26 – July 3, 2027

Holmes, Freud & Lewis: Investigating the Criminal Mind & Morality
Cost: $3,200

Explore crime, psychology, and justice through the minds of Sherlock Holmes, Sigmund Freud, and C.S. Lewis while walking the historic streets of London and Oxford. Visit key sites such as the Sherlock Holmes and Freud Museums and Magdalen College in Oxford to examine criminal investigation, criminal psychology, and moral philosophy. Investigate real-life mysteries, uncover the secrets of the mind, and tackle big questions about right and wrong.

A group of Rising Scholars students at the Berlinerdom.

Cost

The cost of European programs is $3,200 and the cost of Costa Rica is $2,500. Program cost covers course fees, airfare, lodging, excursions, daily breakfast, a few group meals and travel medical insurance. Students are responsible for other meals/snacks, souvenirs and extra excursions.

A group of Rising Scholars students at Blenhiem Palace.

Important Dates

  • November 5, 2026: Application opens
  • January 15, 2027: Early Application Deadline
    • February 1, 2027: Student contract and $500 non-refundable payment due to early admits to guarantee spot
  • March 1, 2027: Regular Application Deadline (applications will be accepted until March 1 as space is available)
    • March 15, 2027: Student contract and $500 non-refundable payment due to regular deadline admits
  • April 1, 2027: Waitlist students notified if space is available

Frequently Asked Questions

We’re happy to answer any additional questions you have about ACU’s Rising Scholars and the individual programs available. Contact us to have the answers you’re looking for. We can’t wait to see you begin your college experience with ACU.

International trips are designed for 16-20 students. Space on abroad trips is highly competitive.

Rising Scholars Abroad is led by 4-6 adults including ACU faculty and staff, as well as spouses. Two ACU current students also accompany the group to serve as peer mentors.

  • Submit the online application.
  • Students must be a current high school sophomore or junior.
  • Submit a letter of recommendation completed by a current high school teacher or administrator.
  • Submit a video essay (approximately 45-60 seconds)
  • The application and recommendation letter must be submitted by March 1, 2026, to be considered.
  • Due to demand, we cannot accept late applications.

Students who enroll in Rising Scholars Abroad are enrolling as an ACU student for a 1-hour course. Students are expected to go to class and complete all assignments related to the course. Some coursework will take place outside of the trip.

  • Yes, a valid U.S. passport is required. If you already have a passport, it must be valid through December 2026.
  • If you do not have a current U.S. passport, we recommend you begin your passport application as soon as possible. To apply, download the application form from travel.state.gov. You must create an appointment to submit your application in person at a local post office, county courthouse or some public libraries. There are items (ID, birth certificate, photo, etc.) you must bring with you, or it will be sent back for you to do again. It can take up to six months to receive your passport. ACU needs a copy of it by June 1.

Students are required to attend virtual meetings to onboard prior to travel. Additionally, students will have 1-2 virtual class meetings and may have assignments and reading assigned before the trip.

Our Rising Scholars Abroad groups will stay in world-class hotels. Each student will be assigned a room with one roommate. Parents will be informed of all accommodation details prior to departure.

For ease of travel to Europe, all students are required to pack in a carry-on suitcase. Students can choose to check a bag on the return flight home. They can also bring one personal item.

Parents and families are not permitted to travel with the ACU group. However, students can book a different return flight to extend their stay to include travel with family.

We will fly as a group from DFW to our location abroad. If you live in Texas, you will be expected to make your own arrangements to and from DFW airport. If you live out of state, ACU will cover the cost of your flight to meet the group in DFW.