Phase 1: First Things FirstAdmission – October 20Academics, Housing, Flights
Phase 2: Core PreparationsOctober 20 – December 10Visas, International Insurance, Health
Phase 3: Final Logistics December 10 – DepartureBilling, Banking, Phones, Packing
Program Contacts
Calendar
The Fine Print:
Policies and Procedures
You’re in! This Pre-Departure Page is your one stop shop for all the program-related information you will need to prepare for your departure.

Check this page regularly! Information will be updated throughout the semester.

To stay on track, use the self-check at the end of each phase.

Your main point of contact is your Program Manager. You can find additional contacts such as on-site staff in the contact section.

Get to know the place you’ll be calling home for the next semester.

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    Program Contacts

    As you prepare for and embark on your study abroad experience, you will be in contact with various staff members from BU Study Abroad, and IES Abroad. To avoid missing important information, please add “@bu.edu” and “@iesabroad.org” to your address book. Please keep all emails in a folder for your reference as you prepare for your semester abroad. Here are the names and email addresses of some people who will be in touch with you this semester, and/or whom you may want to contact with questions.

    Boston-based Staff

    Rachel Parola  – Rachel will be your primary contact during the pre-departure process.

    IES Abroad Staff

    You can reach your IES Abroad Advisor or program staff by emailing info@iesabroad.org using a subject line that includes your program site. For example: “Questions about Berlin”

    Sabrina Wu, Berlin Program Advisor

    Dr. Barbara Finke, IES Berlin Center Director

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    Tentative Academic Calendar

    Spring 2025 program dates are:

    • January 22 (depart US on January 21) – May 10, 2025

    A more detailed calendar will be provided by IES Abroad at a later date.

    Neither late arrivals nor early departures are permitted. We urge students to not make any weekend or mid-semester break travel plans until they arrive on site and receive the finalized course and program schedule. During the semester, students must fulfill strict attendance requirements and will be very busy with classes, program activities, and assignments. If family and friends plan to visit, please schedule trips to take place before the start of on-site orientation, during a scheduled program break, or after the semester ends. The first and last weeks of the program are critical to students’ success and require your full attention. By timing visits to coincide with scheduled program breaks, you can meet attendance requirements and take full advantage of your study abroad experience.

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