[2] Founded in 1950 as the Institute of European Studies, the organization has since been renamed to reflect additional offerings in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America.

[5] In accordance with its mission and vision statement, IES Abroad highlights cultural immersion through the use of homestays and field trips to "[promote] the development of interculturally-competent leaders.

[9] IES Abroad offered its first program in September 1950, when Paul Koutny, an Austrian student living in the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship, brought American students to live and study in Vienna, Austria for a year.

This program formed the basis for the standards of the Forum on Education Abroad adopted by the field.

[14] In 2010, IES Abroad was the first third-party provider to receive the Forum on Education Abroad's Category 2b Quality Improvement Designation, which involves independent reviewers using evaluation systems to make program improvements.