Boston University Study Abroad Programs: A World of Opportunities

Boston University (BU) offers a wide array of global programs designed to provide students with unique and immersive learning experiences around the world. These programs, managed by BU Study Abroad, a division of Boston University Global Programs, aim to foster excellent, innovative, and diverse cross-cultural learning for all students, in close collaboration with BU’s academic units. Whether you're interested in semester-long immersion or short-term global travel programs, BU provides opportunities to broaden your horizons and gain invaluable international experience.

Semester and Summer Study Abroad Programs

BU Study Abroad provides opportunities for undergraduate study around the world. Saint Michael’s College students can choose from programs in Dublin, London, Paris, and Sydney. These programs offer academic credit and the chance to immerse yourself in the culture and professional work environment of the host city. With options for both semester and summer terms, students can find a program that fits their academic and personal goals. BU Study Abroad also offers a range of generous merit-based and need-based grants and scholarships.

Global Travel Programs

In addition to semester and summer programs, Boston University offers short-term Global Travel Programs that focus on experiential learning and cultural immersion. These programs are designed as intentional, experiential, small-group education opportunities. These programs emphasize place-based learning and aim to challenge students to engage deeply with the host culture. Applications are now open, with a deadline of October 5, 2025.

Application Information

Any student interested in participating in a Global Travel Program must complete an application by October 5. Trip leaders and the global travel committee review applications and select students motivated to engage in place-based learning and ready for the challenges associated with each program. Limited financial aid is available for families who qualify, and priority is given to upperclassmen and those who have not previously received financial assistance for global travel. Students should apply to any and all programs that interest them.

Featured Global Travel Programs

Several exciting Global Travel Programs are available, each offering a unique focus and cultural experience:

Andalucía, Spain: A Cross-Cultural Journey

This trip will explore the geographic, linguistic, political, religious, mathematic, and cultural cross-pollination of Andalucía. From Roman bridges and Islamic gardens to medieval synagogues and soaring cathedrals, our itinerary invites us to consider how layered identities are formed through centuries of exchange, creativity, and resilience. Participants will engage with Andalucía’s rich intellectual, scientific, and artistic heritage and experience its vibrant culture firsthand through a flamenco lesson and a paella cooking class. Students will learn about tessellations and the geometry of Islamic forms by observing and sketching arabesques, and will then have the opportunity to create their own designs in a taracea (inlaid wood), workshop. This program is open to students in all grades, with preference to 11th and 12th graders. Trip Leader: Ms. Few

New Orleans, USA: The Soul of American Music

American cities have had the impact on music that New Orleans has. From the roots of Jazz, Zydeco, the Blues, New Orleans and its musicians have seen and played it all, and are eager to share their secrets. New Orleans continues to be a haven for artists of all kinds, offering a rich and complex history from which to draw inspiration. This program is open to students in all grades. Trip Leader: Dr.

California, USA: Myths and Realities

“California is a place that invents itself,” writes Richard Rodriguez, “over and over again, out of its own ruins.” This week-long trip invites you to explore how places tell stories-and how California’s beauty, abundance, and contradictions have elevated it to the level of myth in both the American and global imagination. In the Bay Area and along the coast, we will meet artists, food justice activists, tech leaders, and conservationists-people working at the intersections of creativity, capitalism, sustainability, and ecological crisis. We’ll explore San Francisco’s iconic neighborhoods, from the Castro to the Mission, and visit storied sites such as the Presidio, the Palace of Fine Arts, and City Lights Bookstore. Along the coast, we’ll hike in the Redwoods, kayak the Elkhorn Slough, and swim in the Pacific. Each day, you’ll pause to reflect in writing on what you’ve seen and felt-considering not only California’s myths and realities, but also your own experiences and imagination. This program is open to students in all grades. The trip itinerary entails moderate walking and hiking in urban areas as well as more rugged terrain. Trip Leader: Ms.

Iceland: Climate, Energy, and Sustainability

The aim of this program is to have students examine the relationship between climate, energy, and sustainability in West and South Iceland, where the unique natural resources have shaped how scientists, practitioners, and communities approach environmental management and climate change. Students will learn about climate science, geology, and renewable energy by hiking across glaciers, exploring active volcanic systems, visiting geothermal power plants and greenhouses, and meeting local scientists. They will also explore how science and culture intersect by visiting communities that have been affected by volcanoes and speaking with climate-focused authors like Andri Snær Magnason. This program is open to students in all grades. The trip itinerary entails moderate hiking in rugged terrain. Trip Leader: Dr.

Other Global Engagement Initiatives at Boston University

Beyond traditional study abroad programs, Boston University is home to several centers and initiatives that promote global engagement and research:

African Studies Center (ASC)

Founded in 1953, the African Studies Center (ASC) provides a strong foundation in African studies to generations of undergraduate and graduate students, university professors, economists, health workers, government officials, development personnel, diplomats, and others. The ASC supports interdisciplinary research, teaching, and outreach activities related to Africa.

Center for English Language & Orientation Programs (CELOP)

Since 1975, the Center for English Language & Orientation Programs (CELOP) has offered international students high-quality intensive English language training and orientation programs. CELOP helps students develop the language skills necessary for academic success at Boston University and other institutions.

Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future

The Frederick S. Pardee Center convenes symposia and conducts interdisciplinary, policy-relevant, and future-oriented research that contributes to long-term improvements in the human condition. The center’s focus is defined by its longer-range vision (35-200 years) and encompasses a multitude of topics, including research on the future of energy, South Asia, global economic governance, and the developing world.

Family Medicine Global Health Collaborative

The Boston University Family Medicine Global Health Collaborative is committed to raising the level of health care for the world’s underserved populations by enhancing primary care through four key areas: medical education, improving health systems management, increasing access to high-quality clinical services, and promoting research and evaluation. The collaborative works to improve health outcomes in resource-limited settings around the world.

Internship Opportunities

Boston University Study Abroad programs also offer internship opportunities that allow students to gain professional experience in an international setting. These internships provide students with hands-on experience in their field of study, while also allowing them to develop cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills. Doctor Matteo Capuzzo, Policy Advisor of Medici con l'Africa Cuamm/ Doctors with Africa CUAMM, shared his incredible knowledge on the Third Sector in Italy and his personal experience in sub-Saharan regions.

Read also: History of the BU Bridge

Student Experiences

Students who participate in Boston University Study Abroad programs often describe their experiences as transformative. Congratulations Francesca Anne Callejas! During the Fall of 2024, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy with the Boston University Study Abroad Padua Internship Program.

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