SAF's 25th Anniversary: Transforming International Education Since 2000

SAFFY joined the organization following a campaign involving staff and students around the world. Inspired by kawaii culture and the Chinese expression for overseas students, SAFFY the seagull represents the organization’s spirit of exploration and support and is a symbol of SAF’s approachable, student-centered culture. SAFFY has been quite a hit, joining recruitment events across Asia and attending professional conferences around the world.
 

SAF's 25th anniversary provides an opportunity for us to celebrate our pioneering role in expanding access to global education as well as our ongoing commitment to the future of study abroad.

As we celebrate this milestone, we are honored to be part of an organization simultaneously celebrating its 75th year: IES Abroad. Joined together by a shared mission of inspiring global citizens, this partnership gives SAF students access to the IES Abroad portfolio, including their vast network of global centers and diverse programs. 

The scope of programming now available to SAF students is as broad as possible to accommodate every study style and academic need. Students can access more than 150 programs across 70+ global institutions and benefit from a wide range of study models:

• Academics with Flexibility: Programs accommodating unique academic calendars (including Japanese calendars), language proficiency courses, and hybrid models combining language learning with credit-bearing coursework.
• Experiential Learning: Internship programs in the U.S., U.K., and across Europe; themed study tours; and customized, faculty-led programs.
• Diverse Terms: Semester, quarter, academic year, calendar year, and summer programs.

All this work is made possible by our dedicated global staff. We are committed to educational excellence, comprehensive support, local expertise, and safety oversight and this is what students have come to expect from us. Everything we do continues to be centered around the student experience, ensuring that each of the 1,000+ students we serve annually is fully supported.