Broadening Horizons: Exploring BGSU's Education Abroad Programs

An education abroad experience represents a transformative opportunity for many students, becoming an imperative part of their journey at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Ranked as the No. 1 school in Ohio for students to study abroad, BGSU offers a diverse array of programs designed to immerse students in new cultures, enhance their academic pursuits, and foster personal growth. From semester-long exchanges to short-term excursions, BGSU provides a multitude of avenues for students to gain a global perspective.

Diverse Program Options

BGSU sponsors numerous semester or academic year programs in many countries world-wide. BGSU offers opportunities for students to study abroad for a fall semester, spring semester, or a full academic year. These programs are available in locations such as Salzburg, Austria, and Alcalá de Henares, Spain. Each program is coordinated by a Bowling Green State University faculty member under the guidance and supervision of the Office of Education Abroad & International Partnerships (EAIP). This ensures that students receive academic support and guidance throughout their international experience.

Semester and Academic Year Programs

Exchange programs allow students to fully immerse themselves in an academic setting, studying alongside host country nationals in university courses. While on exchange, BGSU students maintain full-time status at BGSU. Scholarship and financial aid packages remain applicable, and students pay BGSU tuition and fees, leveraging their institutional, state, and Federal financial aid. Students receive BGSU credit and grades when studying abroad on a BGSU program and will be registered under a BGSU course number.

Short-Term Programs

BGSU also offers short-term programs, ranging from 1-10 weeks, which take place during spring break, winter break, or summer sessions. BGSU sponsors approximately several programs in a variety of countries world-wide with program options varying year-to-year. These programs, coordinated by a Bowling Green faculty member under the guidance and supervision of the Office of EAIP, provide a condensed yet impactful international experience. Students receive BGSU credit and will be registered under a BGSU course number when studying on a BGSU program.

Affiliated Program Providers

To expand the range of available options, BGSU has formally affiliated with several study abroad program providers. Students participating in affiliated programs may be eligible to utilize institutional, state, and federal aid to pay for expenses related to these study abroad programs. Students will earn regular BGSU credit and grades for their coursework completed on affiliated programs. Program-specific scholarships and grants may also be offered through the affiliated organizations directly. This approach ensures that students have access to a wide variety of programs that cater to their individual interests and academic goals.

Partner Universities

BGSU has established partnerships with several prestigious international institutions, providing students with unique exchange opportunities:

Audencia Nantes School of Management - Nantes, France: This leading European business school, situated in Brittany, offers a culturally distinct experience in France.
Artevelde University College, Ghent - Ghent, Belgium: Located in a historically and culturally significant city, this partnership provides students with exposure to the heart of Western European economics.
Norwegian Business School - Oslo, Norway: This exchange marks BGSU's first agreement with a Scandinavian school, offering a unique perspective on business in the region.
Hong Kong Baptist University - Hong Kong: Students can study business and media communications in one of the world’s prominent economic centers. HKBU has been a fully-accredited institution since 1983 and enrolls over 10,000 students.
Universidad Carlos III - Madrid, Spain: This world-class university in Madrid offers over 50% of its undergraduate courses in English, making it accessible to a wide range of students.
University of Macau - Taipa, Macau: Macau is a major Asian economic center, with the highest per-capita GDP in the world.
University of Strasbourg- École de Management Strasbourg - Strasbourg, France: The University of Strasbourg, which houses the École de Management, is the second-largest university in France, founded in 1538.
University of the West of England - Bristol Business School - Bristol, England: This partnership offers students the opportunity to study at one of the UK's leading new university business schools.
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore - Milan, Italy: Located in the heart of Milan, this campus provides a haven of peace and grace within a city which offers an abundance of food, history, heritage and choice.
Rennes School of Business - Rennes, France: This is one of the most international Business Schools in Europe, with 85% of the Faculty being non-French nationals.

The Impact of Studying Abroad

Studying abroad offers numerous benefits that extend beyond the classroom. Students often develop a greater sense of independence, adaptability, and cultural awareness.

Personal Growth and Confidence

Dr. Juarez, Director of International Programs and Partnerships, emphasizes the personal growth that students experience. "It’s not the language knowledge, it’s not the beautiful buildings, it is really the self-confidence and the joy of life that they have by just feeling that they mastered something," she said. "They know they can master something else again, they can meet challenges and they can find the solution if they meet challenges." This newfound confidence can be transformative, empowering students to take on new challenges and pursue their goals with greater determination.

Developing Global Citizenship

BGSU's education abroad programs cultivate global citizens. Dr. Juarez notes, "They might come from little towns all around Ohio, but they leave as worldwide citizens." This transformation is a result of immersing themselves in different cultures, interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, and gaining a deeper understanding of global issues.

Enhancing Career Prospects

In today's interconnected world, employers increasingly value candidates with international experience. Studying abroad demonstrates adaptability, cross-cultural communication skills, and a willingness to embrace new challenges - all of which are highly sought after in the job market. Dr. Wirtz highlights the development of resilience and stress tolerance, stating, “That is the case in so many careers: you have to be resilient and stress-tolerant, and those are things you are forced to learn in study abroad,” Wirtz said. “There’s no way to get around in a foreign country without being able to roll with the punches, take things as they come and build up a certain stress tolerance."

Overcoming Challenges and Misconceptions

While studying abroad can be an exciting adventure, it also presents challenges. Overcoming these challenges is a crucial part of the learning experience. Noah Kovin, an international business major from Waterville, Ohio, shared his experience: “A myth that I personally have not found to be true is that you become really homesick - I was so active learning new things in different parts of Spain, and I was so happy."

Dr. Juarez's personal experience also informs her understanding of students' challenges. "It was my first time outside on my own and I was terrified, and that is exactly what gets me to understand my students when they tell me they’re homesick and missing their pets or their friends,” she said.

Student Experiences

Students who have participated in BGSU's education abroad programs consistently report positive and life-changing experiences.

Dave, a Spanish minor, emphasized the language immersion aspect: “I decided to study abroad because I love to travel, and as a Spanish minor, I knew that actually being in the country and actively speaking the language would be the best way to pick it up and learn about the culture,” Dave said.

Kovin praised the support he received from BGSU: “I couldn’t have been more supported by the BGSU team,” Kovin said. “I remember when we arrived at the airport, I hadn’t met Magda (Gallinat) or Susana, the directors here, and they immediately knew who we were and made us feel like their children."

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