What are we doing there? And there? And there? For 1,500 students each year, the BU campus continues well past Kenmore Square to places like Quito, Rabat and Niamey. That’s because BU’s International Programs continue to reach new levels of success and popularity, both for BU students and the 160 colleges and universities that tap into our international programs for their own students.

Unlike the old days when study abroad meant withdrawing from college for a semester, BU International Programs create a seamless experience. If a student decides to spend time in Paris or Senegal or Peru, the course of study fits right into the student’s program and won’t interrupt the credits he or she is earning for graduation. In other words, the semester abroad is baked right into a student’s time at BU.

It’s not just language majors who are capitalizing on the experience, either. This year has seen the expansion of our Engineering and Science Programs in Germany, Israel and Mexico. These exceptional programs give engineering and science students a chance to progress in their major while experiencing a new culture. To date, more than 200 students have taken part in these programs.

Some other areas around the world where we developed new programs or expanded current ones in FY08:

• Dubai—This past summer, the Goldman School of Dental Medicine opened its doors to the BU Institute of Dental Research & Education in Dubai Healthcare City. The institute will provide three-year post doctoral programs that will educate residents in specialty fields such as endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry and prosthodontics.
• China—We opened our first program at Fudan University and introduced an intensive language program for summer 2008 and internships in the fall.
• Geneva—Our international public health track started its second year with great support from the School of Public Health (SPH) and Sargent College (SAR).
• London—We finished renovations to our academic building, and the program continues to be one of our most popular.
• Los Angeles & Washington, DC—We know: LA and DC aren’t abroad, of course, but these programs for study “away” continue to grow in popularity, with the LA program’s great success due in no small part to BU alums, including Jason Alexander, Steven Brill, and Lauren Shuler Donner.

The net result? As of this year, 41 percent of BU students will participate in some form of study abroad, an incredible testament to our students, who realize the important role they have to play in our global community.

An international campus

While BU students go out into the world, much of the world also comes to BU. This international influence is felt in all corners of the campus, from the 18 foreign languages available for study, to the many international societies and residences, to the fall 2008 incoming freshman class, 11 percent of which is international—a number that’s increased more than 20 percent since 2001. The top three countries represented by this year’s freshmen? 1) Republic of Korea, 2) India, 3) People’s Republic of China.

Beyond the numbers is the chance for students to hear firsthand how other cultures and nations think and view the world and the United States, lending an invaluable perspective and dimension to students’ classroom and extracurricular experiences. It’s this conscious multi-layered effort to engage with the world, either out there or on our campuses, that contributes to BU’s reputation as an international institution.