You may have already heard it before but studying abroad is a life-changing experience. It’s a decision that shapes the future of both students and universities. While students embark on a journey of academic and personal growth, universities benefit from diverse perspectives, international talent, and a globally enriched learning environment.
But just like studying abroad is a journey, the path to getting there is a journey of its own. Beyond Abroad and our team of study abroad consultants are here to make that process smoother and more accessible. With expert guidance and personalized support, we help students achieve their study abroad dreams while supporting universities in attracting and welcoming international talent.
Beyond Abroad combines three leading study abroad providers based in the Nordics: In Norway, SONOR (Study Outside Norway), in Sweden, Blueberry College & Universitet, and in Finland, Asia Exchange. We are proud of our strong roots in the Nordics and yet we are also distinctly European, as well as cosmopolitan, as we have become the largest study abroad provider on the continent and employ people from all over Europe and overseas. Each of the founding companies contribute their own unique strengths and competences in become part of Keystone Education Group:
Blueberry, founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 1992 by pioneers of this sector, Eva Axelsson Engström, Stefan Engström, and Ingvar Dyrseth, and is the market leader in Sweden. The mission today as then is to make it easier for students to go abroad and study shorter or longer programs, and to learn languages. Blueberry is particularly strong with Anglophone destinations, with the US and Australia as the most popular ones. Blueberry is part of Keystone Education Group since 2019.
SONOR (Study Outside Norway) is the leader in Norway, helping Norwegian students go abroad since 2007 when Kjetil Kleivmyr-Sandvoll began operating it from Trondheim. It traditionally focuses on Anglophone destinations with the UK as the #1 destination and has always had many full-degree students both for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In addition, it is also a leading provider for medical and other degrees in Europe, after acquiring SONANS Interstudies in 2018. SONOR has been part of Keystone Education Group since 2023.
Asia Exchange is operating out of Tampere, Finland since 2007. Founders Harri Suominen and Tuomas Kauppinen have themselves enjoyed a stay as young students in Asia and want to make the experience more accessible to generations coming after them. The service has outgrown the Finnish marked and Nordics, and is now a major European provider, especially in Germany, France and the Netherlands. There are also new destinations available, such as Portugal and Costa Rica, under the sub-brand Beyond Abroad. Since 2024, Asia Exchange is also a part of the Keystone Education Group.
To bring together this powerhouse of knowledge, experience and partnerships, we have decided as a team to elevate “Beyond Abroad” to our new joint brand, as it encompasses all we associate with the educational experience abroad. Thus, a new global brand is born – Beyond Abroad.
Beyond Abroad’s vision is to encourage and inspire young students to travel and study outside of their home country. Nearly everybody who works at Beyond Abroad has experienced this personally, and we thus strongly believe in the benefits and life-changing character of such an adventure early in life. Our goal is to equip all our students, who are typically in the age range of 18-26, with the tools to take the step and grow personally through an experience abroad.
We understand students will have different needs and desires and therefore have something for everyone on offer, from a semester abroad to gap years, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, associate’s degrees, diplomas, certificates to faculty-led programs (FLP). Beyond Abroad represents universities and colleges from around the globe and provides information about their respective systems, campuses, teaching methods, and the various programs and study fields they offer.
Our deep knowledge and experiences allow us also to support the students throughout the application process and in getting settled at their destination. The further you go the more you grow!
