GDP Study Abroad Options

Please note that all study abroad programs do require an application process.

Geneva: Global Governance, Economic Development, & Human Rights

Economic development is typically associated with on-the-ground projects in developing countries. Often overlooked is the governance aspect of development, which is rooted in a complex web of United Nations agencies and conventions as well as multilateral financial and development institutions.

This program examines the development process from a global viewpoint. Students gain knowledge and experience in the role major global institutions and actors play in the development process, strategies they use to influence economic development, and the key challenges they face.

Designed for students specializing in international relations or public health, this ten-week summer program combines coursework on global topics such as the right to health, food security, and political and economic freedom with an in-depth internship in an international organization, such as the United Nations or the World Health Organization. The program draws on the unparalleled resources of Geneva and includes expert guest speakers and visits to international organizations.

Students take one 4 credit course, Global Governance, Economic Development and Human Rights and are placed in a 4 credit internship in a global organization. The program confers 8 credits total, equivalent to one half of a regular BU semester.

More information can be found here.

Kenya: Field Practicum in Public Health and Environment

This five-week summer course in Kenya focuses on environmental and community health as it relates to the indigenous Maasai residing at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. The Maasai community faces many health challenges, including sanitation-related and water-borne diseases, infant and childhood diseases, and HIV/AIDS.

Students in this program work together to implement a research project from soup to nuts, including training in survey techniques, field-based data collection, analysis, report writing, and presentation.

The program is worth 6 BU credits (SPH IH 707). It is run by the School of Public Health (SPH) and is open only to students in SPH or the International Public Health track of the GDP program.

Prerequisites: Students must take both Epidemiology (EP 713) and Biostatistics (BS 704) prior to doing this program.

More information can be found here.

Brazil:  Brazilian Field Seminar

The Brazilian Field Seminar is designed for students who seek to understand the changing role of business in society. Following a series of meetings in Boston, 20 students will travel to three cities in Brazil. The group will visit companies, social enterprises, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), as well as meet with community leaders and government officials, in Salvador, Campinas, and Rio de Janeiro.

This program is designed for students who seek to understand the changing role of business in society, specifically as it pertains to corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. We will explore the potential for business to address sustainability challenges through technical innovations, business practices, entrepreneurial initiatives and new business models designed to alleviate social or environmental conditions, make more efficient use of energy and natural resources, provide adequate health and education services, lower risk, create value and cause less harm to society in both urban and rural settings.

Time spent in Brazil allows students to witness the development and application of sustainable business models and practices first- hand, through the eyes of managers, entrepreneurs, CEOs and consumers.

The program is worth 3 BU credits (GSM IM 852).  It is run by the Graduate School of Management (GSM) and is open only to students in GSM and the GDP program.  The program normally runs in early January, prior to the start of BU’s Spring term.  Interested students must apply for the program well in advance.

More information can be found here.

India: India Field Seminar

The Indian Field Seminar is designed for students who seek to understand the rapidly changing global forces of the health sector as they intersect with the dynamics of an emerging country. Following a series of meetings in Boston, students will travel through India for 14 days, visiting Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.

The field study program will include visits to government agencies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, health sector start-up companies, health centers, research laboratories, and academic research settings.

The Indian Field Seminar is designed to help students:

• Examine the emerging global market in the health sector.
• Understand the complex interacting dynamics of economic development, international competition, government policy, and entrepreneurial initiative in a key emerging country.
• Evaluate more efficient and effective development and delivery models created in an environment of limited resources.
• Identify business opportunities in the health sector presented by rapid development in India and other emerging countries. Understand the long-term trends of linkages that will develop and the complex market dynamics that will be created.
• Understand the role of entrepreneurial initiative in creating new ventures across the life science product and delivery arenas.
• Analyze and compare business strategies that seek to align business goals with both societal goals and emerging markets and revenue streams.
• Explore and evaluate the use of strategic alliances, public-private partnerships, and multiple financing mechanisms to support new venture development.

The program is worth 3 BU credits (GSM IM 853).  It is run by the Graduate School of Management (GSM) and is open only to students in GSM and the GDP program.  The program nromally runs in early January, prior to the start of BU’s Spring term. Interested students must apply for the program well in advance.

More information can be found here.