Boston College Study Abroad Programs: A World of Opportunities

Boston College (BC) offers a diverse range of study abroad programs designed to provide students with transformative international experiences. These programs cater to various academic interests and personal goals, allowing students to immerse themselves in new cultures, broaden their perspectives, and enhance their academic and professional skills. Whether it's a semester-long exchange, a summer internship, or a faculty-led program, Boston College provides numerous avenues for students to explore the world.

Types of Study Abroad Programs

Boston College provides a variety of study abroad options to suit different academic and personal goals. These include BC-sponsored programs and Affiliate Programs.

BC-Sponsored Programs

These programs are directly managed by Boston College and offer a seamless integration with the BC academic system. BC students directly enroll and receive credit that easily transfers back.

Affiliate Programs

Students may also study in an Affiliate Program. For Affiliate programs, Boston College students pay tuition directly to Boston College and fees to the program provider. Costs vary from program to program; please consult the specific program. Credits from an Affiliate Program will transfer back to BC as general elective credit. With approval, credit can be applied to a student’s major, minor, or core.

Important: If Boston College has an existing partnership agreement with an international program or institution, BC students must participate through the official BC partnership only. Students cannot enroll directly with that institution or go through another college, university, or independent organization.

Semester and Academic Year Programs

Boston College offers a wide array of semester and academic year programs around the globe. These programs allow students to immerse themselves in a different academic environment and culture for an extended period.

Asia

Hong Kong: BC students can study at several prestigious universities in Hong Kong, including The University of Hong Kong, the city's oldest tertiary institution; The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), a research university overlooking Tolo Harbor offering classes in business administration, education, engineering, law, medicine, science, and social science; and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which accommodates students in the Schools of Science, Engineering, Business Management, and the Humanities and Social Sciences. BC students primarily take courses in the areas of accounting, economics, finance, global business, information & systems management, management of organizations, and marketing.
Nepal: The Center for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute (RYI) was founded by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche as an institution of higher learning for those wishing to deepen their understanding of Buddhist philosophy and practice. It has been conducting seminars and study programs in Nepal for more than 25 years.
Philippines: Ateneo de Manila University is a Jesuit institution located at Loyola Heights, Quezon City. The university enrolls nearly 8,500 students. Students enroll directly into the university system, choosing courses from over 31 departments offering a wide range of programs in English including in philosophy, theology, economics, business administration, law, and development, healthcare education, rural projects, and women in politics.
South Korea: Seoul National University is a leading institution of advanced education in Korea and enrolls about 20,000 undergraduate and 11,000 graduate students. The Kwanak Campus accommodates four graduate schools, eleven colleges, sixty- six research institutes, and many other supporting facilities. Sogang University is the leading Jesuit private university in Korea with approximately 13,000 students and more than 21 departments. It is of particular interest to students specializing in history, political science, management, international studies, and Asian or Asian-American Studies.
Singapore: The National University of Singapore (NUS) offers a global approach to education and research with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. NUS is a research university with an entrepreneurial dimension that spans three campuses, enrolls 38,000 students from more than 100 countries and forges partnerships around the world. NUS offers a number of innovative study opportunities and multidisciplinary programs which are generally open to exchange students. University Town (UTown) - Singapore’s first residential college system - is an educational hub which offers a model of living and learning that is distinctively NUS.
Japan: Sophia University is a Jesuit university not far from the Imperial Palace. Sophia enrolls 12,000 students in 29 departments on its Yotsuya campus in central Tokyo. Waseda University is one of Japan’s most prestigious private universities offering courses in all disciplines. BC students are integrated into Japanese student life by participating in university activities and choosing to join clubs-ranging from karate and flower arranging to rock music and folk dancing.
China: The China Studies Institute started as an American University program and has since expanded dramatically. It is now an independent study-abroad program with over 200 students a year. CSI offers complete language immersion as well as a large range of Chinese Studies courses taught in English in small classes.
Shanghai: The 21st Century City program makes cosmopolitan Shanghai your classroom. The International Business in China program offers the unparalleled opportunity to study international business and economic development in Asia's financial center. The Public Health, Gender, and Community Action program offers a field-based, experiential approach to learning. Main topics include: social determinants and the political economy of health, the scourge of malnutrition, and regional and grassroots approaches to improving access to healthcare. Each program has a small group of students (typically 10-35). Students gain high levels of access to many different stakeholders and experts relevant to the issues the program is examining.
India: The City, the River, the Sacred program through the Alliance for Global Education explores the intersections between religious practice, urban studies, and environmental issues through 15 credits of coursework. The University of Wisconsin program in India is based in Varanasi due to the city’s ethnic, religious, and linguistic diversity, which reflects the diversity of India at large. Both a modern metropolis and a major pilgrimage site on the Ganges River, Varanasi offers access to a variety of religious communities, as well as study of the beginnings of Jainism and Buddhism. The Alliance for Global Education program in Pune focuses explores contemporary India as a complex yet unified multi-cultural, multi-linguistic, religiously pluralistic democracy, and rising economic superpower through 15 credits of coursework. Pursue your own academic interests and distinguish yourself professionally by completing an internship, directed research project, or documentary film. Engage with Indian culture through co-curricular classes in traditional Indian vocals, instruments, or dance. Participate in local activities and excursions to explore Pune and the surrounding area. The Art and Sciences Program in Hyderabad program is provided in collaboration with the Study in India Program (SIP) at the University of Hyderabad. As a hub for international undergrads, SIP offers specially designed courses for students to discover Indian society, history, and culture. Choose from classes specially designed for international students, as well as a vast selection of direct-enroll options at an award-winning university.
Vietnam: The SIT Program in Language, Cultures, and Ethnic Minorities covers a wide range of topics of study, including the role of traditional Chinese cultures and belief systems in contemporary life, ethnic minorities, rapid urbanization, agriculture, and social change, health and traditional Chinese medicine, tourism and sustainability (cultural and environmental). The Loyola Chicago Vietnam Center in Ho Chi Minh City provides students with the opportunity to experience and learn about the social, cultural, political and economic dynamics shaping contemporary Vietnam.

Summer Programs

Boston College also offers a variety of summer programs, providing students with shorter, more focused international experiences.

Summer Internship Programs

Bangkok: The Bangkok Summer Internship Program offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience abroad in a leading hub for business, technology, and creativity.
Buenos Aires: The Buenos Aires summer internship offers students the international opportunity to gain professional experience in addition to developing their language skills.
Dublin: The Dublin Summer Internship Experience offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience abroad in Europe.
Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Summer Internship Experience offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience abroad in one of the world's most lively cities.
Krakow: The Krakow Summer Internship Program offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience abroad in a city known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and burgeoning tech scene.
Montevideo: The Montevideo summer internship offers students the international opportunity to gain professional experience in addition to developing their language skills.
Seoul: The Seoul Summer Internship Program offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience abroad in a leading city in the Asia-Pacific region.
Shanghai: The Shanghai Summer Internship Experience offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience abroad in Mainland China.
Singapore: The Singapore Summer Internship Program offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience abroad in one of the world's most multicultural cities. Interning abroad in Singapore has given me both a local perspective on global issues and a global lens on local life.

Faculty-Led Programs

Paris: Paris: Doing Business in a Global World.

Funding and Scholarships

Affording a study abroad experience is possible. Studying abroad is not necessarily more expensive than a semester at Boston College. Several funding opportunities are available to help students finance their study abroad experiences.

The Fung Scholars Program at Boston College provides opportunities to support international experiences in Asia. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
The Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. colleges and universities.
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) invests in promising students with financial need who wish to study abroad. Potential applicants who meet our eligibility requirements may participate on any international education program that meets their academic objectives. FEA gives preference to students with demonstrated financial need, and strongly encourages students to apply who represent a group that is traditionally underrepresented in education abroad.
Diversity Abroad, in cooperation with the AIFS Foundation, will offer $500 scholarships for fall and spring semester. Five scholarships are available for each semester. Economically disadvantaged students, first-generation, students with disabilities and ethnic and racially diverse students are strongly encouraged to apply.
Department of State’s Benjamin A. Students seeking guidance in applying for prestigious merit awards for study abroad, as well as need-based scholarships and grants for the academic year or summer, are encouraged to meet with the Scholarships Advisor.
Montserrat students are encouraged to meet with the Montserrat Advisor early on in the process of selecting programs. Students receive guidance with long-term financial planning and scholarship/grant applications.

Application Process and Requirements

Boston College seeks to balance study abroad enrollment between the fall and spring semesters. This applies to all abroad programs approved by Boston College. The balancing of semesters helps to stem over enrollment in any one semester. Part of balancing semesters means that there are enrollment caps on all programs offered by Boston College. If you have a 3.0 GPA, are in good academic and disciplinary standing, you will likely be able to go abroad. However, OGE cannot guarantee your program or term selection. Based on the high demand for spring semester spots, the average GPA for a spring applicant has consistently been a 3.6 or higher. This is especially true for in-demand locations such as London, Madrid, Dublin, etc. OGE recommends students carefully review their program selections. Are there particular GPA or language requirements? How many students are generally approved for my program choices? Students are strongly encouraged to select some fall programs amongst their six program choices; OGE discourages students from selecting all spring options. If a student selects all spring programs and cannot be placed, OGE reserves the right to place the student into a fall program. Finally, OGE will only consider academic rationales when placing a student into a program and term.

All sophomores should see a course called “Study Abroad 101-Fall 2025” in Canvas. It is a requirement for any student interested in studying abroad next year to complete this course to be eligible to study abroad. We estimate the module takes roughly one hour to complete and can be completed in multiple stages. Please do not wait to get started, as the sooner you start, the sooner you can schedule any appointments with our office. Students have until December 15th, 2025, to complete the required Canvas modules and be eligible to apply for semester study abroad programs.

Students who have completed the online Study Abroad 101 module in Canvas and have also submitted their initial advising questionnaire are eligible to schedule a group meeting or individual advising appointment with an OGE Study Abroad Advisor. OGE Advisors are experts in their abroad regions, who can explain BC and Affiliate programs, academic culture abroad, and help students decide which program may be the best fit for them. Students wanting to study abroad for a full year or attend a program not approved by BC must meet with an advisor.

Submit the BC Study Abroad Application via MyOGE. The application will only be available to students who have completed both an Initial Advising Questionnaire (Step 1) and completed Study Abroad 101 (Step 2). Please note that certain programs require that students attend a group advinig meeting, or meet with an advisor in order to submit an application (Step 3). All students hoping to study abroad for a semester or academic year on any program (BC or Affiliate) must complete the BC Study Abroad Application. The deadline to submit the BC Study Abroad Application via MyOGE is January 5.

After the January 5 application deadline, the OGE will review students’ academic and disciplinary records against specific BC policies as well any program specific requirements. Programs may have space restrictions. The most important criterion OGE considers in making decisions for high demand programs is a student's academic record, including their GPA, previous courses taken, and degree. If the OGE is unable to grant you one of your six choices, you will be placed in a program which most closely resembles your prior selections, in either the fall or spring semester.

If approved, students will apply to their chosen host program. Once approved, students complete the application for the host institution. Students will be given access to an online pre-departure module on Google Sites. Students are also expected to attend an in-person orientation prior to departing for abroad. Students should keep in mind that they may need to complete additional post-acceptance paperwork for their abroad program. This may include housing applications, visa documentation, vaccinations, etc. Students are personally responsible for submitting any additional paperwork, which is not handled by the OGE, in a timely and responsible manner. Some programs have additional requirements. The disciplinary clearance will occur after students have applied.

Important Considerations

In line with the OGE's mission and learning outcomes, education abroad is designed to expose students to new cultures and languages. For this reason, international students are not permitted to study abroad in their home country through the OGE for semester and academic-year programs. student, permanent resident, or dual citizen who completed the equivalent of high school in the intended host country.

Read also: History of the BU Bridge

Advising appointments are held in person at Hovey House. Group meetings are held virtually via Google Meet.

Maximizing the Study Abroad Experience

Going abroad is a big change from life at Boston College. Students learn new things about the world and about themselves by studying, volunteering, conducting research, or interning in another country. While the OGE is here to help, please keep in mind that the abroad process is ultimately your responsibility--it is up to you to research program options, turn in study abroad materials on time, keep in contact with the OGE, and make your experience meaningful. What you get out of your time abroad depends on what you put into it.

Academics are a critical component of your experience abroad, and it is important that you choose a school or program that will best complement your coursework at BC. Choose where you would like to spend an academic year, semester or summer and make that choice for the reasons that make the most sense for you. It is easy to catch the travel bug and spend every weekend in a different place, but remember: you are choosing to live in a new city for a reason. Traveling is only a small part of your time abroad. Take time to explore the local areas: get to know the neighborhoods, the food, the people, and the rest of your host country.

With all of this in mind, the prospect of going abroad can make you feel both excited and anxious. Selecting a program may seem daunting. However, you should not be too concerned with choosing the one “right” program, as there are a variety of options that will fit your academic goals, personal needs, and interests. All BC and Affiliate programs have their merits.

Growth doesn’t just happen through tasks and meaningful work. It happens when we are willing to see the world from a different vantage point. By stepping out of my comfort zone and into this new cultural and professional environment, I’ve learned how much there is to gain from being open-minded about new cultures and experiences.

Summer internships abroad provide students with an opportunity to gain invaluable professional and intercultural skills that prepare them to excel academically and professionally in our increasingly globalized world. By living and working abroad, students learn to navigate cultural differences in social and professional settings through full immersion in the culture of their host city and gain a global perspective. Some students choose to intern abroad in lieu of a traditional study abroad experience during the academic year, while others opt to extend their time abroad through a summer internship.

Identify skills to develop when you go abroad by conducting a skills audit. What are your strengths/weaknesses? Which skills do you want to develop? Identify the skills you gained during your time abroad through self-reflection on experiences that were particularly meaningful. Shape your abroad narrative: What were the most memorable aspects of your time abroad? What were the most challenging aspects? In a word: challenge. A summer internship abroad is a busy, full-time professional experience. In addition to the challenge of adjusting to a full-time work schedule, students also grapple with immersion into a new culture, a new living situation, and (in select programs) a new language.

Personal Experiences

As someone who has struggled with homesickness, a month-long abroad program with fellow BC students sounded like the perfect way for me to experiment with going abroad-- and it was! I studied at the Burren College of Art, where I took a general art course. As a political science and economics student with zero art experience, this was intimidating, but it ended up being the perfect way for me to take a course I would otherwise not have had the schedule space to take. We lived in a teeny, tiny town (population of only 300 people!), which truly allowed me to get to know the locals and become fully immersed in Irish culture. Choosing to do a summer abroad was one of the greatest experiences I've had at BC-- so much so that I'll have gone abroad with BC 3 times by the time I graduate. This experience helped me grow in a way that I feel like I understand the world better and I understand my place in the world better.

Contact Information

Applicants are not required to meet with an advisor for summer programs, with the exception of those applying to internships abroad. For students interested in any other BC summer programs abroad, an advising appointment is optional and does not impact their application. Questions regarding the academic content of a particular summer program should be directed to the faculty leader. Siying (Cynthia) Yu is a graduate student in Higher Education with a concentration in International Education at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development.

If necessary, attend a general information session or schedule an advising meeting. All summer programs, with the exception of internships, are open to non-BC students. Submit an online application by clicking the “Apply Now” button on your first-choice program page. BC graduating seniors are eligible to participate in summer programs pending approval from the OGE. Interested applicants must contact the Summer & Internships Program Manager for more information. My name is Belle, and I had the opportunity to study in Ballyvaughan, Ireland, for the summer of 2024.

tags: #Boston #College #study #abroad #programs