CUSTOMIZED, SHORT-TERM MOBILITY PROGRAMS
Transformative Service-Learning Experiences
About Us
Greater Social Equality. A More Sustainable Environment. A More Secure World for Everyone.
Challenges Abroad is a social enterprise that provides impactful, customized overseas learning programs for students. Our mission is to develop the next generation of Global Citizens, who as future leaders will help shape a better future for everyone.
Through our programs, we ensure that students not only develop a global mindset but gain vital life and employability skills, enabling them to have a positive impact on the world through their future endeavors
We are proud to be a Certified B Corporation! It reinforces that together, we’re delivering programs that are not only transformative for students, but also beneficial for communities and respectful of the planet
The Challenges Abroad Difference
Student Impact
Developing the next generation of Global Citizens.
Community Impact
Delivering long-term development projects that support local communities.
Enviornmental Impact
We are operating as a carbon neutral organization.
Short-Term Programs, Long-Term Impact.
Our programs enable students to step out of their comfort zone whilst building their understanding of the wider world, learning about new cultures and fostering meaningful connections with the local community.
Global Citizenship:
Students broaden their perspectives, embrace cultural diversity, and ignite a lifelong drive to make a difference in the world
Cultural Immersion:
Discover, connect & experiencestudents dive into vibrant local cultures, learning through meaningful cross-cultural exchange
Community Engagement:
Lead, inspire & create changestudents deliver hands-on workshops, building skills and leaving a lasting impact on local schools.
Every Challenges Abroad program supports the goals and objectives of our international development charity, theFutureSenseFoundation
Participants on a Challenges Abroad programaretherefore, not only directly impacting the community through their project, but are part of a sustainable community development initiative that will have a long lasting, positive impact.
Why Work With Us
Mutually beneficial programs and partnerships that have meaningful impact on both participants and local communities
End-to-end support for participants and faculty, from program design and pre-departure preparation through to in-country support, program delivery and post-program debriefs
Robust risk management and duty of care framework, backed by comprehensive policies and our track record of safe, successful program delivery.
Deep expertise in outbound mobility within higher education, including compliance, academic alignment, and best practice in global learning and Work Integrated Learning.
Curriculum-aligned programs that can be customized across disciplines to meet learning outcomes and support credit-bearing units.
“This was life changing and something I will carry with me forever.”
Global Citizen, Makenzie
We work with a range of global partners, some of which include*:
Key Objectives:
Developing the Next Generation of Global Citizens
Providing a structured & reflective experience for students, as they apply their knowledge and skills in a practical, real-world setting.
Short-Term Programs, Long-Term Impact
Working towards achieving the UN Goals for Sustainable Development, supporting the FutureSense Foundation
Mutually Beneficial Programs
Ensuring that there is mutual benefit and learning for the local community and student participants.
of students think that their Global Citizenship journey was a lifechanging experience that has inspired them to experience the world more!
Global Citizen,Nadia
As the name suggests, of course there are challenges, but the problemsolving skills and confidence that come out of the experience are unmatched.
We measure the impact of our programs on student participants by evaluating the following 10 key skill areas:
Where We Work
Our 7 key community hubs with permanent in-country teams. Our teams deliver 24/7 in-country support across all programs, working closely with community partners to ensure our programs contribute to long-term, sustainable development outcomes.
Customized Faculty-Led Programs
Our programs can be customized across disciplines to meet learning outcomes and support credit-bearing units Each program is designed to incorporate the below core elements across all areas of study
Industry Exposure
Students gain first-hand insight into their chosen field through site visits, guest speakers, and professional observations These experiences provide valuable context around local systems, practices, and challenges, helping students connect theory to real-world application.
Practical Skills Application
Programs emphasize hands-on learning, allowing students to apply their disciplinary skills in a supervised, real-world setting. Activities may include health screenings, pop-up clinics, project delivery, or fieldbased tasks aligned to academic outcomes.
Capacity Building
Students work alongside local partners to contribute to sustainable, community-led outcomes. This may involve delivering education workshops, developing resources, or supporting initiatives that build local knowledge and capability beyond the duration of the program.
Global Health Programs
Our Health Programs are designed to be highly adaptable across a range of disciplines, offering meaningful, hands-on experiences that can be tailored to meet specific learning outcomes for individual cohorts.
Programs can also be structured to encourage interprofessional collaboration, supporting students to develop a broader, more integrated understanding of healthcare practice.
Our programs have included, but are not limited to:
Public Health
Nursing
Paramedicine
Optometry
Audiology
Speech Pathology
Psychology
Social Work
Oral Health
Cambodia Nursing & Social Work Program Central Queensland University
Key Elements:
Healthcare Centers
Students engage with local health professionals within a clinical setting, to gain insight into local healthcare practices, resources and disparities
Community Outreach
Through community pop-up clinics and home visits, students gain insight into the barriers to healthcare, as well as current community needs
Health Education
Using their experience from the community outreach activities to address current needs raise awareness of key health topics.
Thailand Optometry, Audiology & Nursing Program
Students collaborate as an interprofessional team to coordinate community health screenings, helping to reduce barriers to healthcare access. Informed by their understanding of local health needs, students facilitate health education workshops that raise awareness of preventative measures and supported long-term community capacity building.
University of Melbourne
Global Education Programs
Education sits at the heart of everything we do across our programs, playing a vital role in building community capacity and driving longterm, sustainable impact
For pre-service teachers, working in lowresource, rural settings offers an invaluable opportunity to navigate language barriers and strengthen cross-cultural communication skills in real-world contexts.
Our bespoke Education Programs combine hands-on experience, applied learning, and meaningful community engagement - helping to shape confident, globally minded teaching practitioners ready to make an impact anywhere in the world.
“To me, being a Global Citizen means knowing I’m part of a bigger world and that my actions can impact others beyond my own community.”
Global Citizen, Liv Cambodia Education Program University of the Sunshine Coast
Key Elements:
Knowledge Exchange
Students engage with local teachers within a rural school setting, gaining insight into local teaching practices and resources
Workshop Delivery
By designing and leading educational workshops across local schools, students gain firsthand experience in a new cultural context
Resource Development
Students will create educational resources that can be used beyond their time overseas, ensuring lasting impact
Global Business Programs
Our Business Programs provide students with a powerful lens into global markets, cultures, and ways of doing business. From the energy of major economic hubs to the realities of enterprise in rural and traditional communities, students gain a well-rounded perspective on modern business practice. Through meaningful engagement, they share skills, build community capacity, and deepen their understanding of business as a force for impact.
Financial Literacy & Women’s Empowerment Program
This annual program in Nepal is centered around business and social impact. Curtin Business students have been working with a local women’s group and local schools to co-design and deliver workshops focused on financial literacy, education access, and enterprise skills - sharing their passion for business and helping to empower communities through practical, sustainable impact.
Curtin University
Key Elements:
Industry Engagement
Students engage with local business owners to share knowledge and learn about different business practices in a global context
Capacity Building
Students co-design and lead educational initiatives that build capacity and raise awareness of key topics such as finanicial literacy
Resource Development
Students create educational resources that can be used beyond their time overseas, ensuring lasting impact
Global Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Programs
Our Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences programs are designed to be dynamic, flexible, and globally focused. From immersive study tours to meaningful community engagement, we offer experiences that span single-discipline cohorts through to interdisciplinary collaboration.
Students broaden their global perspectives while gaining insight into real-world pathways beyond university Along the way, they build essential, transferable skills that enhance their future employability.
New Program!
Creative Connections: Exploring Tibetan Art, Identity and Creative Expression
RMIT University, India 2027
Key Elements:
Cutlural Exchange
Students collaborate with industry professionals, to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural context in which they are based
Community Engagement
Students apply their skills on collaborative community projects that celebrate culture, inspire creativity, and enhance learning
Creative Practice
Students will apply their creative skills on a meaningful project that ensures lasting impact beyond their time overseas
Lights, Camera, India!
Griffith Film School
This immersive three-week study tour across Pune, New Delhi, and Kolkata offered a rare insight into the heart of India’s film industry. Through collaborations with leading institutions, hands-on workshops, and masterclasses with industry experts, students explored storytelling, emerging technologies, and global media perspectives. Blending academic engagement with real-world exposure, this program develops globally aware, critically engaged media practitioners.
Global Science & Engineering Programs
Our Science & Engineering programs are designed to be highly adaptable across a broad range of disciplines, offering meaningful, hands-on experiences that can be tailored to specific learning outcomes for individual cohorts
Programs span key areas including engineering, science, mathematics, and agribusiness, providing students with opportunities to apply theory in real-world, globally relevant contexts. They can also be structured to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, helping students develop a more integrated understanding of scientific and applied problem-solving
New Program!
Sustainable Agribusiness in India: Innovation & Practice
Curtin University
Key Elements:
Industry Exposure
Students collaborate with industry professionals, to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural context in which they are based
Practical Experience
Students will apply their skills on a community-led project, aimed at addressing current needs
Workshop Delivery
Students will share their knowledge by co-designing and leading STEM education workshops in local schools
India Sustainable Engineering Program
University of the Sunshine Coast
“A fascinating visit in (almost) snow-draped Palampur to the Himalayan Bew tea factory for University of Sunshine Coast engineering students on their New Colombo Plan supported visit to India. A sixth-generation business still using some 200 year old equipment, previously used by the East India Company... followed of course by some tea tasting.”
Professor Adrian McCullam
Global Law, Criminology & Global Studies Programs
Our Law, Criminology and Global Studies programs offer dynamic, globally focused experiences designed to connect classroom learning with real-world application Through short-term and immersive experiences, as well as longer-term internship opportunities, these programs foster critical thinking, cross-cultural awareness, and practical insight into professional pathways beyond university Along the way, students develop essential, transferable skills that strengthen their future employability in a global landscape.
“Interning with Challenges Abroad was a transformative experience that I am very grateful for. Although challenging, it hasequipped me with valuable skills and deepened my understanding of community development.”
Global Citizen, Lucy Peru Global Studies Intern RMIT University
Key Elements:
Cutlural Exchange
Students collaborate with industry professionals, to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural context in which they are based
Community Engagement
Students apply their skills on collaborative community projects that celebrate culture, inspire creativity, and enhance learning
Resource Development
Students will create educational resources that can be used beyond their time overseas, ensuring lasting impact
Program in 2026!
Cambodia Social Injustice Challenge
This program offered students a powerful introduction to Cambodia’s history, culture, and contemporary social justice issues, encouraging them to explore the past, understand the present, and help empower the future In Phnom Penh, students visited key historical sites, networking with local professionals and organisations focused on victim empowerment from the Khmer Rouge, while also engaging in inter-generational dialogues with the local community
Murdoch University
What Our Partners Say
“It’s a very challenging yet rewarding experience at the end of the 2 weeks, as the skills they gain and experiences they have are things they will never have in Australia.”
Peter Grainger Senior Lecturer in Education
Meaningful
“The biggest take away for me was seeing how adaptable our students were and how they worked under pressure. It was a very unique opportunity to care for people in a setting; very different to what they would do on a normal clinical placement.”
Mr John Latham Lecturer in Paramedicine
Rewarding
“Our students seek out experiences that will broaden their perspective and provide meaningful engagement which is why Challenges Abroad are such a popular choice. “
Serena Baptist Office of International Relations & Programs
Unique
Student Impact
93% of students felt they had returned home with increased confidence
82% of students felt their program helped to develop their
92% of students felt they had returned home with increased
95% of students felt their program had greatly impacted their resilience adaptability
96% felt their experience had impacted their
cultural awareness
93% of students felt their experience had helped develop their
95% felt their experience strengthened their leadership skills communication skills teamwork skills
90% felt their experience helped to develop their problemsolving skills
