Study Abroad and Internship Programs
Boston University sponsors a variety of study abroad and internship programs in Argentina; Australia; China; Ecuador; England; France (Grenoble and Paris); Germany; Guatemala; Ireland; Israel; Italy (Arezzo, Padua, Rome, and Venice); Japan; Morocco; New Zealand; Peru; Spain (Burgos, Madrid, and Menorca); Switzerland; Washington, DC; and Los Angeles. Students may also enroll in programs sponsored by other institutions or may directly enroll in foreign universities.
Programs are available in fall, spring, and summer semesters. Many fall and spring programs offer similar shorter programs in the summer, and some may be combined for a full academic year. Study abroad programs integrate students into a foreign culture and allow them to concentrate on language acquisition, study of the program country, and coursework in their major fields. Internship programs including an academic component generally combine 4 credits of internship with 12 credits of related coursework.
Study abroad is open to qualified students in all the University’s schools and colleges. All programs are subject to change; updated information for Boston University and non-Boston University programs is available from the BU Study Abroad Office, 888 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-9888; email: abroad@bu.edu; BU Study Abroad website.
Argentina
Argentina Cultural Studies Program (Summer)
The program offers advanced students of Spanish the opportunity to live and study in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s intellectual and cultural capital and one of Latin America’s most sophisticated cities. It is home to many museums, theaters, art galleries, and bookstores.
Courses focus on Argentine culture, journalism, politics, and literature, and include discussion of recent literary and intellectual developments. An internship course includes placements in cultural organizations, NGOs, and in the areas of journalism and communications. Past internship placements have included Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, Radio Palermo: Program “La Cocina del Periodismo,” and Radio Nacional de la República Argentina.
Classes take place at the Universidad de Palermo. Course-related excursions provide students with an opportunity to explore the city’s vibrant cultural scene. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn eight Boston University credits.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit BU Study Abroad.
Australia
Sydney Internship Program
The Sydney Internship Program combines a full semester of academic coursework taught by Australian faculty with an internship in one of the most progressive cities in the Pacific Rim region. Coursework focuses on various aspects of Australia’s dynamic history and contemporary culture, including its literature, politics, economy, and media. Internship placements are available in advertising and public relations; arts and architecture; business and economics; film and television; health and human services; hospitality administration; journalism; and politics and international organizations.
The Sydney semester begins with a six-week period of intensive classroom study, followed by eight weeks of internship during which students spend four days per week in an internship and one day per week in class. The supervised internship experience carries 4 credits, and students enroll in three other courses for a total of 16 course credits. The program is also offered during the summer: students enroll in one course and a full-time internship for a total of 8 credits.
Internships in advertising and public relations include work in marketing, product development, design, and presentation for specific advertising agencies or public relations departments of larger organizations. Students in the arts may work for museums, theatres, or galleries. Internships in business and economics include placements in accounting, banking, corporate finance, economic research, marketing, or operations. Internships in film and television include work in the research or administrative offices of television stations or for film or video production companies. Internships in health and human services include clinical and nonclinical placements in the fields of psychology, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and social action. For placements in hospitality administration, students work in the hospitality industry in fields such as hotel or restaurant management. For internships in the journalism field, students may work at magazines or newspapers or for publishing houses. Politics and international relations students are placed with government officials, constituency groups, or in election campaigns.
Housing is in fully furnished flats within easy access of public transportation, the University of Sydney, and Boston University’s classroom and administrative center.
Required Course
- CAS AN 368 Australian Culture and Society
Electives
- CAS AH 374 Australian Art and Architecture
- CAS EC 464 The Pacific Rim: Economic and Political Orders
- CAS EN 383 Writing in Australia
- CAS IP 304 Sustainable Sydney—Sustainable Australia?
- CAS IP 401 Sports Management in Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region
- CAS PO 350 The Australian Political System
- CAS SO 308 Australian Social Policy
- COM CM 406 Brand Advertising and Promotion
- COM CO 350 Mass Media in Australia
- COM FT 345 Australian Cinema
- COM FT 352 Film Production Using Video
- SHA HF 328 The Australian Wine Industry
Internship Courses
- CAS AH 505 Practicum in Arts/Architecture
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
- CAS IR/PO 455 Internship in International Organizations
- CAS PO 451 Internship in Politics Abroad
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
- COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Radio/Television
- COM JO 411 Professional Journalism Internship
- SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration
Sydney Film Festival and Entertainment Promotion Program (Summer)
Scheduled to coincide with the Sydney Film Festival, the coursework of this unique program examines Australian film and filmmaking. Students will gain a knowledge of the Australian film industry—its recent developments, current trends, and influences, as well as the strategies employed to advertise, promote, and market entertainment. Students enroll in two courses for a total of 8 Boston University credits.
Travel Writing in Australia (Summer)
This program is structured around a 12-day guided research trip during which students travel to small-town Australia from the ocean to the outback. While on the road, students read and write as they travel and gather a research portfolio for articles, essays, and creative pieces. Upon return to Sydney, class sessions and assignments draw on students’ research gathered while on the road. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit BU Study Abroad.
China
Shanghai Programs
The Boston University Shanghai programs offer a semester of study and internship experience, in the vibrant and booming metropolis of Shanghai, to students at beginning and advanced levels of Chinese language study. Hosted at Fudan University, the Shanghai programs offer two different experiences for students.
Beginning students of the Chinese language and China and East Asia are invited to participate in the Chinese Language & Culture Program. Students with at least two years of Chinese are invited to consider the Shanghai Internship Program, combining a professional work experience with language and culture coursework. Upon successful completion of the semester, students earn 16 Boston University credits.
Shanghai Chinese Language & Culture Program
This program is designed to allow beginning students of the Chinese language the opportunity to study Chinese on an intensive basis while also doing coursework in English on traditional and contemporary Chinese culture. Students register for an 8-credit intensive language course and two 4-credit courses to fulfill the requirements of the program.
Required Course
Students enroll in one of the following courses:
- CAS LC 111/112 Beginning Intensive Chinese
- CAS LC 211/212 Intermediate Intensive Chinese
- CAS LC 311/312 Advanced Intensive Chinese
Elective Courses
Students choose two of the following courses (taught in English):
- CAS HI 365/IR 371 Shanghai: The Key to Modern China?
- CAS SH 301 Chinese Culture and Society in the Global Era
- CAS SH 303 Global Sourcing and Supply Chain Management
Other elective course offerings at Fudan University change from year to year. Those previously chosen by students have included courses in Chinese Diplomacy and The Global Chinese Marketplace.
Shanghai Internship Program
This program gives advanced students the opportunity to experience the professional culture of China and apply their coursework in language and culture on a day-to-day basis. Advanced students who have completed a minimum of four semesters of college-level Chinese, or are already fluent in Chinese, are eligible to participate. The program provides opportunities in a variety of disciplines, so students from all majors are encouraged to apply.
Required Course
Students choose one of the following:
- CAS LC 311 Third-Year Modern Chinese I
- CAS LC 312 Third-Year Modern Chinese II
- CAS LC 411 Fourth-Year Modern Chinese I
- CAS LC 412 Fourth-Year Modern Chinese II
- CAS LC 421 Topics in Chinese Culture (taught in Chinese)
Elective Courses
Students choose two of the following elective courses (taught in English):
- CAS HI 365/IR 371 Shanghai: The Key to Modern China?
- CAS SH 301 Chinese Culture and Society in the Global Era
- CAS SH 303 Global Sourcing and Supply Chain Management
Other elective course offerings at Fudan University change from year to year. Those previously chosen by students have included courses in Chinese Diplomacy and The Global Chinese Marketplace.
Internship Courses
- CAS AH 505 Practicum in Arts/Architecture
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
- CAS HU 425 Practicum in the Arts
- CAS PO 453 Internship in Politics/Comparative Law
- CAS PO/IR 455 Internship in International Organizations
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
- COM CM 471 Communication Internship
- COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Radio/Television
- COM JO 411 Professional Journalism Internship
- SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration
Shanghai Chinese Studies Program (Summer)
The Shanghai Chinese Studies Program at Fudan University offers eight weeks of intensive language study. The core curriculum centers around approximately 15 to 20 hours each week of language instruction, emphasizing grammar, oral comprehension, and speaking. Courses are augmented by a five-day educational excursion to an historic city or to the countryside to experience village life, a weekend trip to a Yangzi River delta city like Hangzhou or another canal town, and visits to local cultural sights.
Students study the equivalent of two semesters of Chinese language. Students must enroll for a total of 8 credits.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Ecuador
Quito Language & Liberal Arts Program
The Quito Language & Liberal Arts Program immerses students in the cultural and ecological diversity of the northern Andean country of Ecuador through direct enrollment in university coursework and fascinating, all-inclusive excursions throughout the country.
Students in this program are considered full-time undergraduates at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), a modern private university located in the valley town of Cumbayá, on the outskirts of Quito. At USFQ, students enroll in five to six courses in the liberal arts and sciences for a total of 15–18 Boston University credits. Students have access to the full curriculum of USFQ. All courses are taught in Spanish by USFQ faculty. Students live with Ecuadorian families. The program also features a guided excursion to the Galápagos Islands and an excursion to the Amazon rainforest, two trips to the famous Otavalo Indian market, a guided tour of the colonial architecture of Quito, and several other day trips. Boston University resident staff members accompany students on all excursions.
Ecuador Tropical Ecology Program
The Ecuador Tropical Ecology Program offers biology and environmental science majors the opportunity to spend a semester studying the vast and diverse ecosystems of tropical Ecuador through intensive hands-on experiences. The program consists of four ecology courses based on field research in the montane, tropical rainforest, and coastal regions, as well as a Spanish language course. All ecology courses are taught in English by faculty from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito and Boston University’s Department of Biology. Upon successful completion of a semester, students earn 18 Boston University credits. Graduate credit may be awarded to full-time graduate students for conducting additional independent research.
During the first nine weeks of the program, students complete three upper-level ecology courses on the various ecosystems of Ecuador. Lectures at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito are combined with studies lasting from several days to four weeks at different environments in Ecuador. Students also enroll in a required, 2-credit, intensive Spanish course during the first three weeks of the program. The highlights of the field experience include a one-week guided scientific excursion to the Galápagos Islands, a ten-day coastal project at Los Piqueros, near Machalilla National Park on the Pacific coast, and a four-week stay in the Amazon rainforest at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station.
Students complete the semester with a capstone course that requires them to analyze field data, prepare reports, and give oral presentations based on individual and group projects conducted in the field.
Courses
- CAS BI/GE 438/638 Tropical Montane Ecology
- CAS BI/GE 439/639 Tropical Rainforest Ecology
- CAS BI/GE 440/640 Tropical Coastal Ecology
- CAS BI/GE 441/641 Studies in Tropical Ecology
- CAS QU 300 Intensive Spanish
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
England
London Internship Program
Based at the BU London Academic Center, the London Internship Program provides undergraduate students with a one-semester experience in London that combines an internship with academic courses offered by British faculty. London internship programs are available in 13 tracks: advertising and marketing; public relations; arts and arts administration; economics and finance; film, radio, and television; hospitality and tourism; journalism; management; politics; international relations; pre-law; psychology and health sciences; and theater studies.
The London semester begins with a five-week period of intensive classroom study, followed by nine weeks of internship during which students spend four days per week in an internship and one day per week in class. The supervised internship experience includes an academic component and carries 4 credits, and students enroll in three other courses for a total of 16 course credits.
Internships in the advertising, marketing, and public relations area include placements in the planning, account management, and media sections of advertising firms, in promotions or press departments of public relations companies, or in marketing departments of multinational consumer firms. Placements in the arts area include those in arts administration, architecture and design, theatre and applied fine arts, or arts promotion and publishing. For students studying economics, internships are provided in multinational corporations and international organizations working with the European community. Internships in film and television include work in the research or administrative offices of television stations or for film or video production companies. For internships in the journalism field, students may work at magazines or newspapers or for publishing houses. Management and finance students are placed in the areas of accounting, banking, corporate finance, marketing, or operations. Politics students are placed with members of Parliament, constituency agents, at party headquarters, or with public interest groups. Students in prelaw intern with solicitors or legal departments of commercial organizations. Psychology and social policy internships include those in psychology, social work, health administration, occupational or physical therapy, or social action. The theater internship includes all aspects of the performance arts.
Housing is provided in furnished apartments in South Kensington, and courses are offered in the University’s own facility. The London Internship Program is offered during the fall, spring, and summer terms.
Required Courses
Students must enroll in the required core course for their track:
Advertising and Marketing
- COM CM 521 British and European Marketing Strategy
Arts and Arts Administration
- CAS AH 320 Modern British Art and Design
Economics and Finance
- CAS EC 364 Economic Policy: A British Perspective
Film, Radio, and Television
- COM FT 316 British Film and TV Since 1960
Hospitality and Tourism
- SHA HF 365 British Tourism—Knowing Britain Inside and Out
International Relations
- CAS IR 361 Understanding British Foreign and Domestic Policy
Journalism
- COM JO 358 British Journalism, Culture, and Society
Management
- SMG IM 345 International Management Environment
Politics
- CAS PO 360 British Political Institutions
Prelaw
- CAS PO 534 The British Legal System
Psychology and Health Sciences
- CAS MA 113 Elementary Statistics
- CAS PS 365 Psychology Applied to Social Problems
Public Relations
- COM CM 413 Problem Solving in British Public Relations
Theatre Studies
- CFA TH 440 Experiencing London Theatre: In the Postwar World
Elective Courses
Some elective courses are open to all; others are track-specific. Please see the BU Study Abroad website for more details.
- CAS AH 381 London Architecture and Urbanism
- CAS AH 388 British Painting from Holbein to the Twentieth Century
- CAS EC 322 Political Economy of the Middle East and North Africa
- CAS EC 330 / IR 336 European Business Environment: Institutions and Enterprise
- CAS EC 346 European Capital Markets
- CAS EC 360 British Macroeconomic Policy
- CAS EN 310 British and Irish Writing: Poetry and the Novel Since 1900
- CAS EN 357 Modern British Drama: A Critic’s Perspective
- CAS EN 368 Seminar in Shakespeare Studies
- CAS EN 387 Writing in Today’s Britain: Meet the Writer
- CAS EN 388 Contemporary British Literature
- CAS HI 243 / IR 392 Britain and the European Question: The Confluence of History and Politics
- CAS HI 249 / WS 310: London Women’s Social History from Aphra Behn to the Blitz
- CAS HI 250 British Youth Culture from 1950 to the Present
- CAS HI 251 Cultural Capital: The History of Popular Culture in London
- CAS HI 252 Class, Power, and the Making of British Identity
- CAS HI 253 London at War: From the Home Front to the Frontline
- CAS IR 427 Seminar in International Business
- CAS MA 113 Elementary Statistics
- CAS PO/IR 335 Britain and Europe—A New Beginning
- CAS PO 358 Issues in Contemporary Politics
- CAS PO 388 British Law and Current Issues
- CAS SO 301 Challenge and Change in British Education
- CAS SO 321 Contemporary Issues in British Welfare
- CFA TH 508 Contemporary British Theatre
- COM CM 334 Advertising in the UK
- COM CM 335 Seminar in Advertising Strategy
- COM CM 447 International Brand Management
- COM CM 457 Seminar in Global Promotional Strategies
- COM FT 317 British Cinema and Society
- COM FT 318 British Television Studies
- COM JO 416 The Foreign Correspondent: International Reporting
- SAR HP 522 Health and Wellness Through the Lifespan: A UK Perspective
- SMG MK 467 International Marketing
Internship Courses
- CAS AH 505 Practicum in Arts/Architecture
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
- CAS HU 425 Practicum in Visual/Performing Arts
- CAS IR/PO 455 Internship in International Organizations
- CAS PO 451 Internship in Politics Abroad
- CAS PO 453 Internship in Comparative Law
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
- CFA TH 543 (Fall) / CFA TH 544 (Spring) Internship: London Theatre
- COM CM 471 Communication Internship
- COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film, Radio, and Television
- COM JO 411 Professional Journalism Internship
- SAR HS 405 Health Science Practicum
- SAR HS 410 Field Experience: Human Physiology
- SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration
London Music Program with the Royal College of Music
Boston University’s London music program is offered by arrangement with the Royal College of Music (RCM), recognized as a leading institution for the education of the professional musician. The RCM provides specialized musical education and professional training of the highest international level for performers and composers. All music instruction is conducted at the RCM, and students choose liberal arts electives from courses offered by the Boston University London Academic Center. Upon successful completion of a semester, students earn 16–20 Boston University credits. This program is offered during the fall semester only.
Required Courses
- CAS AH 381 London Architecture and Urbanism
- CFA MU 301 Music Theory
- CFA MU 321 Music History
London Acting Program with LAMDA
Boston University’s acting program is offered in conjunction with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA), one of the leading drama schools in the English-speaking world. This program is offered during the spring semester only.
Students are housed in the South Kensington area of London, and courses are taught at both the University’s own facility and nearby Imperial College. All courses are taught by professors from LAMDA. Upon successful completion of the semester, students earn 16 Boston University credits.
Courses
- CFA TH 312 Voice and Speech/LAMDA
- CFA TH 322 Acting Shakespeare/LAMDA
- CFA TH 324 Acting Restoration/LAMDA
- CFA TH 332 Movement/LAMDA
- CFA TH 338 Historic Dance/LAMDA
London Art History Program with the Courtauld Institute of Art
This program offers a full semester of art history at Britain’s preeminent art institute, the world-renowned Courtauld Institute of Art, on the Strand in central London.
Students in the program are considered full members of the Courtauld student body and study alongside Courtauld students. They receive all of the privileges of Courtauld students, including membership in the student union, library privileges at the University of London, as well as University of London email addresses and identification cards. This program is offered in the fall semester only.
Required Courses
- CAS AH 320 Modern British Art and Design
- CAS AH 300 Frameworks for Interpretation: Historiography and Display -OR -
CAS AH 388 British Painting from Holbein to the Twentieth Century
Elective Course
Students choose one 6-credit, 400-level elective Courtauld seminar in a specific period of the history of Western art, selected from a varying menu of options spanning from antiquity to the present day.
- CAS AH 430 Seminar in Greek and Roman Art
- CAS AH 440 Seminar in Late Antique and Medieval Art
- CAS AH 450 Seminar in Renaissance Art
- CAS AH 460 Seminar in Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century Art
- CAS AH 490 Seminar: Special Topics in the History of Art
London History & Literature Program
Boston University’s newest program in London is about London itself—the stories, the voices, the history, and the literature of this great city. Open to all students fascinated by London, the curriculum appeals especially to serious English and history students. Directed research is combined with coursework dedicated to the city where you will be living, observing, reading, and writing. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive 16 Boston University credits. The program is available in the fall semester only.
English Literature Track Courses
- CAS EN 310 British and Irish Writing: Poetry and the Novel Since 1900
- CAS EN 340 Visionary Capital: The Writing of London
- CAS EN 357 Modern British Drama: A Critic’s Perspective
- CAS EN 368 Seminar in Shakespeare Studies
- CAS EN 387 Writing in Today’s Britain: Meet the Writer
- CAS EN 391 Research Seminar in the Literature of London
- CFA TH 508 Contemporary British Theatre
English History Track Courses
- CAS HI 246 London Since 1666: Imperial Capital to World City
- CAS HI 249/WS 310 London Women’s Social History from Aphra Behn to the Blitz
- CAS HI 251 Cultural Capital: The History of Popular Culture in London
- CAS HI 432 Research Seminar and Tutorial in English History
London & Paris Architecture and Urbanism Program (Summer)
In this eight-week summer program beginning in London and moving on to Paris, students study the historical development of architectural styles and aesthetics. Courses draw on the art and architecture of the cities themselves and on their extraordinary museums. Through classroom lectures and local excursions in both cities, students are asked to consider and account for points of similarity and difference in architectural detail and aesthetics. Students spend four weeks in London, completing one course before moving on to the remaining four weeks in Paris to complete the second course. This program is ideal for students interested in art history, architecture, and urban studies. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
Courses are taught at the BU London Academic Center in South Kensington and at the BU Paris Academic Center in the 15th arrondissement within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower.
London Liberal Arts Program (Summer)
Boston University’s London summer liberal arts program provides an opportunity to study the many facets of contemporary British culture with courses on the British media, arts, literature, politics, economy, constitutional law, and social policy. The program also offers courses on graphic design and advertising. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
Geneva & London International Conflict Resolution Program (Summer)
Please see Switzerland section for more information on this program. For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
France
Grenoble Language & Liberal Arts Program
The Grenoble Language & Liberal Arts Program offers a semester, summer, or academic year of intensive language study and university coursework in one of France’s most beautiful cities. With its strong student population, both the city and the Université de Grenoble have longstanding traditions of welcoming students from all over the world.
The Grenoble program offers instruction on two different levels: Level I, for students at the intermediate level; and Level II, for students already proficient in French. Qualified students may move from Level I in the fall to Level II in the spring, thus participating for an academic year. It is recommended that students participate in Level II for the full academic year. Both levels are offered either semester. All students are fully integrated into university life and have ample opportunity to practice their French and acquire a firsthand knowledge of French culture.
Students earn 16 semester-hour credits upon successful completion of a semester’s work, or 32 credits for the academic year. The summer program offers the opportunity to earn 8 credits.
Level I: Intensive French Language
Level I offers an intensive French-language curriculum at the Centre Universitaire d’Études Françaises (CUEF) of the Université de Grenoble, which is among the best French-language teaching centers in France. Level I students take four classes for a total of 16 credits. Students are placed in a sequence of three language courses based on previous coursework and a placement exam; the language courses use audiovisual instruction and intensive drilling to improve speaking, writing, and reading skills, and allow students to complete three semesters of French in three months. In addition to 12 credits of language coursework, students also take a course in the development of French civilization and culture taught by the resident director, for which they conduct an ethnographic research project.
- CAS LF 211 Third-Semester French
- CAS LF 212 Fourth-Semester French
- CAS LF 261 French Civilization
- CAS LF 303 French Composition and Conversation I
- CAS LF 304 French Composition and Conversation II
- CAS LF 306 Advanced Oral Expression
Level II: Advanced University Studies
Level II offers advanced students the opportunity to enroll directly in the Université de Grenoble. Eligibility for coursework at the university is determined by a placement exam administered in Grenoble. Qualified students select four upper-level academic courses from offerings in the Faculté des Langues, Lettres et Communication (Université Stendhal), the Faculté des Sciences Sociales (Université Pierre Mendès), the CUEF, or a combination thereof. Students choose from a variety of subjects such as history of art & architecture, French literature, cinema, economics, political science, international relations, psychology, and more. In addition, all Level II students take a semester-long, advanced, 4-credit course in written and oral French through CUEF: Travaux Pratiques, for which they complete an ethnographic research project. Level II students take five classes for a total of 16 credits.
Language Courses
- CAS FR 303 Travaux Pratiques I
- CAS FR 304 Travaux Pratiques II
Academic Courses
Students select four academic courses from CUEF or Université de Grenoble offerings. These 3-credit courses meet for one-and-a-half to two hours per week and require a final paper and/or exam. Course offerings change from year to year. However, the courses noted below are representative of those chosen by recent program students. All coursework is upper level.
Courses offered by CUEF (300–400 level)
Includes French History, History of Art, French Cinema, French Literature, and The Politics and Economics of Contemporary France.
Courses offered by the Université de Grenoble (300–400 level)
In the past, students enrolling in Université de Grenoble courses have taken a variety of courses in the humanities and social sciences. These courses have included literature, linguistics, economics, history, political science, psychology, and sociology.
Grenoble Science Program
This program is designed for science students who want to combine science coursework in English with the study of French and an introduction to French life and culture. It is further designed to fit neatly into the existing curricula and requirements for pre-health and other science students.
Students take an intensive French language course (available at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels; there is no requirement for prior language study). Students then choose three or four elective courses. These courses are taught in English and are approved by Boston University. Fall semester only.
Required Course
- CAS LF 113 Intensive Beginning French
Students who have studied French previously can enroll in a 4-credit language course at the intermediate or advanced levels.
Elective Courses
Students choose three:
- CAS BI 203 Cell Biology (CM)
- CAS CH 203 Organic Chemistry 1
- CAS LF 299 Approaches to Contemporary French Society and Culture
- CAS MA 213 Basic Statistics and Probability
Optional Course
May be taken in addition to above courses.
- CAS NS 291 Introduction to Scientific Research
Paris Contemporary Studies Program
Boston University’s newest program in Paris combines immersion in contemporary cultural study at the Université Paris 8 (Vincennes-Saint-Denis) with equal immersion in the artistic and intellectual life of this exciting city and the full co-curricular program and student life support of the BU Paris Academic Center. By combining a strong thematic grounding in contemporary studies with an interdisciplinary approach integrating literary studies, linguistics, and social theory, this program places students squarely in the Parisian tradition of critical study and creative productivity. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive 16 Boston University credits. The program is available in the fall semester only.
Required Courses
- Advanced French and Critical Workshop
- CAS LF 486 Penser le contemporain: Topics in Contemporary Studies
Elective Courses
During the second part of the semester students enroll in three courses at Paris 8. They continue to attend Topics in Contemporary Studies, and also the Critical Workshop (on a reduced basis). Academic staff of the BU Paris Academic Center assist students in the choice of courses.
Paris Internship Program
The Paris Internship Program combines intensive French-language study and liberal arts coursework in French with an eight-week internship. In the first half of the semester students enroll in three classes: one course to develop their language skills and two other courses of their choice, depending on their language proficiency.
Upon successful completion of the first half of the semester, students work as full-time interns for eight weeks, Monday through Friday. Students earn a total of 16 credits upon successful completion of the program.
All internships include an academic component and are contingent on requests for interns, students’ language ability, and their past professional experience. Internships in advertising, marketing, and public relations include work in marketing, product development, design, and presentation for specific advertising agencies or public relations departments of larger organizations. Students in the arts and arts administration may work for museums, theaters, or galleries. Internships in business and economics include placements in accounting, banking, corporate finance, economic research, law, marketing, or operations. Internships in film, radio, and television include work in the research or administrative offices of television stations or for film or video production companies. Internships in health and human services include clinical and non-clinical placements in the fields of psychology, health services, social work, and social action. For placements in hospitality administration, students work in the hospitality industry in fields such as hotel or restaurant management. For internships in the journalism field, students may work at magazines or newspapers or for publishing houses. Politics and international relations students are placed with government officials, constituency groups, or in election campaigns. Placements are also available in international organizations.
Students also have the option of enrolling in the program in the summer, for eight weeks. In the summer program, students enroll in one liberal arts course at the BU Paris Academic Center and participate in a professional internship. Upon successful completion of the summer program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
Curriculum
After a placement verification exam in Paris, students are placed in one of the following tracks:
Track I
Designed for those who have completed through fourth-semester French. It includes two language courses, one elective, and the internship course. Language courses:
- CAS FR 300 Advanced French Grammar Practicum
- CAS FR 301 French Communication Skills
Track II
Designed for more advanced students of French (six or more semesters). It includes one language course, two electives, and the internship course. Language course:
- CAS FR 304 Travaux Pratiques
Elective Courses
Elective coursework is taught in French. Track I students choose one of the following. Track II students choose two.
- CAS AH 356 French Art and Architecture
- CAS EC 361 Economic Development of Europe
- CAS LF 342 Paris Aujourd’hui: French Society and Civilization Through the Performing Arts
- CAS LF 343 La France à Paris: Paris in Literature and the Arts
- CAS LF 344 Post-Colonial Paris: Cultural and Political History of Colonization and Immigration in Paris
- CAS PO 450 Paris Politique: Institutions of the Fifth Republic and Current Events
Internship Courses
- CAS AH 505 Practicum in Arts/Architecture
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics/Finance
- CAS IR/PO 455 Internship in International Organizations
- CAS PO 451 Internship in Politics Abroad
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
- COM CM 471 Communication Internship
- COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Radio/Television
- COM JO 411 Professional Journalism Internship
- SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration
Combined Academic Year Programs in French
The varied experiences and perspectives offered by Boston University’s semester programs in French may be combined for a full academic year of study. Students may want to compare the impact of French culture on the former French colony of Niger, West Africa, with life in Grenoble or Paris, or they may find that a semester of language study in Grenoble is excellent preparation for a semester of further study and an internship experience in Paris. For the second option, students spend their fall semester at the Université de Grenoble, participating in either the Intensive Language Program or the Advanced University Program, and the spring semester in the Paris or Geneva Internship Programs. The language training provided by the Université de Grenoble during the fall semester qualifies students for one of the two tracks offered in the Paris Internship Program. Applicants to the Combined Academic Year Program in Grenoble and Paris are admitted to the Grenoble program for the fall semester and are provisionally admitted to the spring program in Paris, with final admittance based on their progress in Grenoble.
London & Paris Architecture and Urbanism Program (Summer)
Please see England section for more information on this program.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Germany
Dresden University Studies Program
Students with two or more semesters of college-level German may qualify for the University Studies Program. Students study at the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD), one of the oldest and most prestigious technical universities in Germany. Prior to the start of university courses, students participate in a unique, seven-week/112-hour, intensive language and cultural immersion course. A series of excursions brings them into centers of German policy, industry, commerce, education, and the arts. During these excursions, students conduct interviews or other interactive work. At the start of the university semester (in October or April), students enroll in three university courses. All courses are taught in German. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 16–20 Boston University credits.
Dresden Science Program
This program is designed for science students who want to combine science coursework in English with the study of German. It is further designed to fit neatly into science students’ existing curricula and requirements. As with our other Dresden programs, science students study at the Technische Universität Dresden. Students take an intensive beginning German course and choose three electives. All electives are taught in English. The program is only offered during the fall semester. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 16–18 Boston University credits.
Required Course
- CAS LG 113 Intensive Beginning German
Elective Courses
Students choose three of the following courses, typical for science students in the first semester of their sophomore year:
- CAS BI 203 Cell Biology
- CAS CH 203 Organic Chemistry 1
- CAS MA 213 Basic Statistics and Probability
- CAS LG 280/SO 213 The Sociology of Intercultural Communication
Optional Course
May be taken in addition to the above courses.
- CAS NS 291 Introduction to Scientific Research (2 cr)
Dresden Internship Program
Students with four or more semesters of college-level German may qualify for the internship program. Academic internships vary according to students’ interests, backgrounds, previous work experience, and language abilities. Most internships are offered in the following areas: business and economics, engineering, film and television, health and human services, and journalism. However, the Dresden program provides opportunities in a myriad of disciplines; students from all fields are encouraged to apply. Complementary coursework runs in tandem with the internship.
Students begin their internships during week nine and continue to work for an average of 30 hours a week. They also enroll in two or more courses at the TUD and attend three to four faculty-directed sessions on the academic component of their internship. During the final week of the program, students attend a capstone seminar in which they deliver the final presentations on their academic internship projects. Upon successful completion of a semester, students earn 16–20 Boston University credits.
The Universität sponsors a wide range of student clubs, cultural societies, sports facilities, and activities available to all students. Program students live in university dormitories with German students for the duration of their stay.
View a list of course choices from TUD.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Guatemala
Guatemala Archaeology Program
The Guatemala Archaeology Program provides students with an unparalleled experience in Maya archaeology, history, and culture through intensive language study in the beautiful colonial town of Antigua and archaeological fieldwork at San Bartolo, one of the premier archaeological sites in the Maya world. This program is offered in the spring semester of even-numbered years.
During the first four weeks of the program, students study intensive Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala’s colonial capital. For the remaining twelve weeks of the semester, students live, study, and work at the San Bartolo field camp and participate alongside the world’s foremost authorities in the ongoing investigation of this stunning Preclassic discovery. Recent investigations in the San Bartolo region of northern Guatemala have substantiated the view of Preclassic as the dynamic period when all aspects of later Maya civilization, including urbanization, hieroglyphic writing, and monumental architecture, were developed and refined. Students in this program work at the cutting edge of Maya archaeology.
Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 18 Boston University credits.
Courses
- CAS AR 503 Archaeological Field Methods: Survey and Excavation
- CAS AR 551 Studies in Mesoamerican Archaeology
- CAS AR 556 Archaeological Field Research
- CAS SP 400 Intensive Spanish Language and Culture
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Ireland
Dublin Internship Program
The Dublin Internship Program offers a semester of study and work in Dublin, Ireland. The program combines an internship with coursework on various aspects of Ireland’s dynamic history and contemporary culture, including its literature, politics, social policy, economy, and media.
During the first six weeks, students take two core courses: Contemporary Irish Society and History of Ireland. Study of these topics familiarizes students with Dublin’s society and prepares them to be more confident and competent interns. For the final eight-week period, students participate in Dublin’s local work life through assigned internships with Irish and multinational businesses and organizations. Students work full time, four days per week, while also enrolling in an elective course on modern Irish arts, literature, or media. All internships include an academic component.
Internships in advertising and public relations include work in marketing, product development, design, and presentation for advertising agencies or public relations departments of larger organizations. Students in the arts and arts administration may work for museums, theatres, or galleries. Internships in business and economics include placements in accounting, banking, corporate finance, economic research, marketing, or operations. Internships in film, radio, and television feature work in the research or administrative offices of television stations or for film or video production companies. Internships in health and human services offer clinical and nonclinical placements in the fields of psychology, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and social action. For placements in hospitality administration, students work in the hospitality industry in fields such as hotel or restaurant management. For internships in journalism, students may work at magazines or newspapers or for publishing houses. Politics and international relations students are placed with government officials, constituency groups, or in election campaigns. For pre-law internships, students work in research and documentation for local Dublin law firms. Placements are also available in information technology and telecommunications.
Courses are taught by faculty from Dublin-area universities and are held on the campus of Dublin City University. Students live in Irish households in the Dublin area or in university residence halls. Upon successful completion of a semester, students earn 16 Boston University credits.
The Dublin Summer Internship Program offers eight weeks of coursework in a single liberal arts course and participation in a professional internship in or near Dublin. Excursions to cultural and historical sites complement the coursework. Upon successful completion of the summer program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
Required Core Courses
- CAS HI 325/PO 381 History of Ireland
- CAS SO 341 Contemporary Irish Society
Elective Courses
- CAS EN 392 Modern Irish Literature
- CAS IR 306 International Human Rights Law
- CFA AR 340 The Arts in Ireland
- COM FT 415 Film and Television Drama in Ireland
Internship Courses
- CAS AH 505 Practicum in Arts/Architecture
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
- CAS IR/PO 455 Internship in International Organizations
- CAS PO 451 Internship in Politics Abroad
- CAS PO 453 Internship in Comparative Law
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
- COM CM 471 Communication Internship
- COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Radio/Television
- COM JO 411 Professional Journalism Internship
- SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration
Health Science Track (offered each fall)
Students in all the health sciences, from premed to public health to PT/OT to nursing, are especially welcome in Dublin each fall. During the core phase, students in this track take Ethics in Health Care and Contemporary Irish Society, while also starting Health Care Policy and Practice in Ireland, which runs the length of the 15-week program. During the internship phase, students participate in an internship in the field of health sciences, while also completing the Health Care Policy and Practice in Ireland course.
Required Courses: Health Science Track
- CAS SO 341 Contemporary Irish Society
- SAR HS 422 Ethics in Health Care
- SAR HS 425 Health Care Policy and Practice in Ireland
Internship Course: Health Science Track
- SAR HS 405 Health Science Practicum
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Israel
Haifa Language, Liberal Arts & Internship Program
The Haifa program combines language study with a semester or two at the University of Haifa. The goal is to introduce students to Israeli cultural, intellectual, political, and social life, offering them a broader perspective on the entire country.
To ensure that students get the most out of their time in Israel, Boston University and the University of Haifa offer opportunities to live in Israel and gain credit before the regular semester begins at no additional cost. These opportunities vary from semester to semester, but may include a study tour, intensive Arabic language program, or an Ulpan (intensive Hebrew language program). Contact BU Study Abroad for more information.
Students then enroll in the University of Haifa’s International School. Generally, each student takes four or five courses (three credit hours each) per semester. A typical one-semester program includes a course in Hebrew language and one related to the culture or history of Israel and the Middle East. The remaining courses may be in the student’s major or the general liberal arts curriculum. Students proficient in Hebrew may elect courses offered in the regular university curriculum.
Students may also participate in internships for academic credit. Placements vary according to students’ interests, backgrounds, and language abilities. Internships have been offered in such fields as medical services, archaeology, education, public relations, social work, conflict resolution, and women’s studies.
Subject areas include:
- Communications
- Hebrew and Arabic language
- History
- Literature
- Middle East studies
- Peace and conflict studies
- Political science
- Psychology
- Religious studies
- Sociology
- Women’s studies
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Italy
Arezzo Physical Theatre Program
For students in the College of Fine Arts School of Theatre. Students can study at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy, as an integral part of their academic program at Boston University.
The Accademia dell’Arte provides students of theatre, music, and dance the opportunity to study with world-renowned masters of their craft. The first half of the program comprises daily training in movement, extended vocal techniques and Italian language. In the second part of the semester, students enroll in workshops Commedia, and related performance topics including mask-making and clown.
In addition to local excursions, students are guest artists in residence participating in a professional workshop with Accademia faculty in Naples. Students may also have the opportunity to see professional performances, as well as present their own work generated throughout the semester. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 16 Boston University credits.
Courses
Students enroll in the following five courses:
- CAS IT 113/114 Beginning Italian I/II
- CFA TH 314 Voice and Performance
- CFA TH 326 Commedia dell’Arte
- CFA TH 328 Extended Performance Topics
- CFA TH 330 The Philosophy of Art and Performance
Padua Language & Liberal Arts Program
A thriving and ancient university city with few tourists, Padua offers a unique opportunity for study abroad. Headquartered at the Boston University Center for Italian & European Studies (CIES) in Padua, the program is run in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD). CIES is located in the historic center of Padua and within walking distance of most university departments. The program includes excursions in and around the Veneto region, as well as to other major Italian art cities.
Students begin their semester in Padua with a month of intensive language study at CIES. After completing this intensive language course, students choose three electives from the CIES offerings. These courses cover topics in Italian art, history, literature, and film. For a wider selection of courses, students with advanced Italian language skills may also choose to combine CIES courses with courses taken directly at the Università degli Studi di Padova. Upon successful completion of the intensive language course, students may opt, with the advice of program staff in Padua, to select one or two Università degli Studi di Padova courses. The remaining one or two courses are chosen from CIES offerings.
The program is offered in both the fall and spring semesters, as well as during the summer. Upon successful completion of the fall or spring program, students earn 16 Boston University credits. During the eight-week summer program, students enroll in two courses and earn 8 credits upon successful completion.
Curriculum
Intensive Language Program Courses
- CAS IT 310 Italian Stylistics
- CAS LI 211 Third-Semester Italian
- CAS LI 212 Fourth-Semester Italian
- CAS LI 303 Self-Expression in Italian
- CAS LI 306 Advanced Italian Practicum
CIES Elective Courses
- CAS AH 355 Italian Art, 1300–1800
- CAS AH 357 Masterworks of the Italian Renaissance in Tuscany
- CAS HI 259 Italian Emigration and Immigration
- CAS HI 260 The Venetian Republic
- CAS HI 330 Modern Italian History
- CAS IR 322 Topics in Italian and European Politics
- CAS IT 310 Italian Stylistics
- CAS IT 343 Contemporary Italian Literature
- CAS IT 344 Topics in Italian Music History
- CAS IT 403 History of Italian Cinema
- CAS LI 303 Self-Expression in Italian
- CAS LI 306 Advanced Italian Practicum
Venice Studio Arts Program
In conjunction with the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica, Boston University’s studio arts program in Venice offers coursework in graphic design or painting. Founded in 1969, the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica offers instruction in printmaking, book arts, drawing, and painting. All students enroll in History of Italian Art; one or two classes based on their designated course of study; and one language course.
Students are taught by Italian instructors at the Scuola di Grafica, where teaching assistants are available to help international students. In addition to excursions in and around Venice, students participate in excursions with the Boston University Padua program. Students are housed in apartments at the Scuola di Grafica. Upon successful completion of the semester, students earn 16–20 Boston University credits.
(Note: This program will not be running in Fall 2012.)
Required Courses
- CAS AH 354 History of Italian Art
Graphic Design Courses
- CFA AR 225 Sophomore Graphic Design Studio
- CFA AR 381/382 Graphic Design 1
- CFA AR 385/386 Typography
Painting Course
- CFA AR 341/342 Painting Major I
Language Courses
- CAS LI 111 First-Semester Italian
- CAS LI 112 Second-Semester Italian
- CAS LI 211 Third-Semester Italian
- CAS LI 212 Fourth-Semester Italian
Elective Courses at the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica
- Bookarts (Venice and the Book)
- Digital Photography
- Glassblowing (on the island of Murano)
- Lithography
- Traditional Intaglio Printmaking
- Woodcutting
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Internship Program
The Los Angeles Internship Program offers students a wide variety of coursework and professional work experience in the heart of the film, television, advertising, and public relations industries. Boston University faculty and alumni, who serve as mentors in and out of the classroom, teach courses.
The program offers four tracks from which undergraduate and graduate students can choose: advertising & public relations, film & television, entertainment management, and Los Angeles studies. Each track consists of three courses and an internship. Concurrently with their courses, students intern at film or television sites or advertising and public relations companies. The internship complements their previous work experience and professional goals. Students work at one (or more) internship(s) at least 20 hours per week, in some cases up to 40 hours per week, and continue to meet with the resident director at various times during the semester. All students live in furnished apartments in central Los Angeles. Upon successful completion of the semester program, students earn 16 Boston University credits.
In the Los Angeles Summer Internship Program, students enroll in two courses and intern full-time, four days a week. One course focuses on careers in advertising and public relations in Hollywood through a speaker series featuring Boston University alumni in the entertainment industry. The second course offers a survey of entertainment promotion. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
Program Courses
Advertising & Public Relations Track
Required Courses
- COM CM 561 HL Survey of Entertainment Promotion
- COM CM 561 HW Careers in Hollywood for Advertising and Public Relations (Speaker Series)
Elective Courses
- COM FT 539 Professional Production Methods
- COM FT 552 Creative Life and Television
- COM FT 566 A1 The Business of Hollywood
- COM FT 566 B1 Careers in Hollywood for Film and Television (Speaker Series)
- SMG SI 438 Talent Representation and Management
Film & Television Track
Required Courses
- COM FT 566 A1 The Business of Hollywood
- COM FT 566 B1 Careers in Hollywood for Film and Television (Speaker Series)
Elective Courses
- COM FT 539 Professional Production Methods
- COM FT 552 Creative Life and Television
- SMG SI 438 Talent Representation and Management
Entertainment Management Track
Required Courses
- SMG LA 430 Entertainment Law
- SMG SI 435 Entertainment Management
Elective Courses
- COM CM 561 HL Survey of Entertainment Promotion
- COM CM 561 HW Careers in Hollywood for Advertising and Public Relations (Speaker Series)
- COM FT 566 A1 The Business of Hollywood
- COM FT 566 B1 Careers in Hollywood for Film and Television (Speaker Series)
- SMG SI 438 Talent Representation and Management
Los Angeles Studies Track
Required Courses
- CAS SO 346 The United States Entertainment Industry and Social Change
- CAS SO 347 Los Angeles: Case Study of a Global City
- COM FT 568/CAS EN 376 Adaptation
Elective Courses
- Students may choose a course from any elective offered in the Los Angeles Internship Program.
Internship Courses
- CAS AH 505 Practicum in Arts/Architecture
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
Postgraduate Tracks
The Los Angeles Internship Program also offers two special opportunities to graduated students to continue their education in acting or writing in conjunction with the College of Fine Arts (CFA) and the College of Communication (COM). The Writer in Hollywood and Acting in Hollywood are both 8-credit, four-month, intensive programs that consist of one course and an internship. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate and have the tools and knowledge needed to begin pursuing careers as TV and film writers or performers as well as many industry contacts that will be invaluable as they enter the world of Hollywood.
The Writer in Hollywood Courses
- CFA TH 503/COM FT 552 The Writer in Hollywood 1: Essentials for the Emerging Writer
- CFA TH 503/COM FT 552 The Writer in Hollywood 2: Preparing Your Script for the Entertainment Market
- CFA TH 540/COM FT 953/954 Internship in Hollywood
- Writer in Hollywood Lab (Speaker Series)
Acting in Hollywood Courses
- CFA TH 520 Acting in Hollywood
- CFA TH 540 Internship in Hollywood
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Morocco
Rabat Arabic Language and Regional Studies Program
In this program, students study Arabic language and, through coursework, home stays, and excursions, examine the history, politics, and religion of Morocco and this ever-changing region of the world.
The Center for Cross Cultural Learning (CCCL), host to the program, is a private cultural institution founded and directed by Moroccan academics with many years of experience in cross-cultural education. Courses in Fus’ha (modern Arabic) and Darija (Moroccan Arabic) are taught by professionals trained specifically to teach Arabic as a second language. Lecturers include outstanding scholars in the areas of social science, humanities, literature, religion, and architecture as well as artists, journalists, NGO activists, artisans, and craftsmen. The CCCL is located in a 19th-century building in the medina (old city) of Rabat.
Courses
Students enroll in one or two 4-credit intensive Arabic language course(s) and choose two or three 4-credit electives. Electives are taught in English.
- CAS LY 111 Elementary Modern Arabic I
- CAS LY 112 Elementary Modern Arabic II
- CAS LY 211 Second-Year Modern Arabic I
- CAS LY 212 Second-Year Modern Arabic II
- CAS LY 303 Third-Year Modern Arabic I
- CAS LY 304 Third-Year Modern Arabic II
- CAS HI 354/RN 346 History, Islam, and Politics in the Middle East and North Africa
- CAS IR/PO 455 Internship in International Organizations
- Security Studies and Foreign Policy: Europe and the Middle East and North Africa
Rabat Arabic Language & Service Learning Program (Summer)
Through language study and a volunteer partnership with a host organization working on education, health care, children’s welfare, women’s rights, and other critical issues, this program offers students a unique immersion in the life and society of this fascinating city, country, and region. This program is hosted by the CCCL and is ideal for a student with only one or two semesters of Arabic.
Students enroll in one Arabic language class and a service learning placement. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
New Zealand
Auckland Internship Program
The Auckland program, hosted by the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and the University of Auckland, offers students the opportunity to study and work in Auckland, New Zealand—the gateway to the South Pacific. Coursework focuses on various aspects of New Zealand’s unique ecology, history, and culture, including its literature, politics, and indigenous heritage. All students enjoy excursions to important New Zealand sites as well as several days on the Cook Island capital of Rarotonga or another important South Pacific Island.
The Auckland program requires students to take one course on the history and society of New Zealand. Otherwise, students enroll directly in courses at either the University of Auckland or AUT, choosing from the broad curriculum offered at both of these universities. All students must complete the full 16-credit program, enrolling in three academic courses and one internship course.
Required Course
- CAS SS 315 Aotearoa New Zealand: History and Society
Internship Courses
- CAS AH 505 Practicum in Arts/Architecture
- CAS CS 219 Internship in Information Technology
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
- CAS IR/PO 455 Internship in International Organizations
- CAS PO 451 Internship in Politics Abroad
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
- COM CM 471 Communication Internship
- COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Radio/Television
- COM JO 411 Professional Journalism Internship
- SAR HS 410 Internship in Human Physiology
- SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration
University of Auckland Tracks
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Geology
- Liberal Arts
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
Auckland University of Technology Tracks
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Journalism
- Film/TV/Radio Production
- Sport and Recreation
- Art and Design
Auckland University Studies Program
Students in this program directly enroll at either AUT or the University of Auckland. Between the two universities, a wide range of academic disciplines are available. The combination of academic work, field trips and personal travel opportunities combine to give students a rich introduction to New Zealand life and culture. Upon successful completion of a semester, students earn 16 Boston University credits.
Required Course
- CAS SS 315 Aotearoa New Zealand: History and Society
Elective Courses
Students choose three elective courses, either from the University of Auckland or AUT. For more information, see Auckland Internship Program course elective offerings.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Peru
Lima and Ayacucho: Understanding Contemporary Peru (Summer)
This program offers seven weeks of instruction in two strikingly diverse Peruvian cities. It provides a combination of experiences both on the coast and in the highlands, and a fascinating introduction to the historical and contemporary realities of the nation. The program starts in Lima, Peru’s capital, where students enroll in an intensive Spanish-language course or a course on contemporary Peruvian literature. Students then travel to the Andean city of Ayacucho to take a course on Peruvian political history. Students live with Peruvian families in both cities and enjoy excursions to Cuzco and Machu Picchu.
The first three weeks of the program are spent in Lima. Courses are taught at our partner institution the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Peru. The second three weeks are spent in Ayacucho, where courses are held at the Universidad Nacional de San Cristóbal de Huamanga. A final week is spent in Cuzco and the surrounding area. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 10 Boston University credits.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Spain
Burgos Language & Liberal Arts Program
Boston University’s program in Burgos, in northern Spain, offers students the opportunity to enroll directly in the Universidad de Burgos (UBU), a modern university centered in a medieval complex of buildings that was once part of the Camino de Santiago. The program provides an excellent opportunity for students who prefer to live and study in a smaller city where there are very few Americans and very little English is spoken.
Burgos students enroll in an intensive language and cultural immersion course before the regular university semester begins. Once students complete this course, they enroll in courses offered by UBU departments, including Humanities, Business Administration, Economics, and Political Science. With approval in advance from the resident director, students may also enroll in a Directed Study. Upon completion of the program, students earn 16 Boston University credits.
Because of the Spanish academic calendar, the Burgos program is available only as a spring semester program.
Madrid Language and Liberal Arts Program
The Madrid programs, located at the Instituto Internacional en España, offer students many options. Madrid I students, those with a minimum of second-semester Spanish, enroll in an intensive language program that enables them to complete the College of Arts & Sciences language requirement. They also take a civilization course.
Madrid II students, those admitted with fifth-semester Spanish or the equivalent, have the option of doing an internship in place of one of the academic courses or (for spring semester and academic year students only) enrolling in coursework at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). The Universidad Autónoma, a state university founded in 1968, currently enrolls about 30,000 students and also hosts international exchanges of students and professors. Its primary site, which includes libraries, computer labs, and a sports center, is the 548-acre Cantoblanco Campus, located 15 kilometers north of downtown Madrid.
In the spring semester only, exceptionally well-qualified students may participate in the Madrid III Honors Program, which combines direct enrollment in Universidad Autónoma with accompanying tutorials.
Students earn 16 Boston University credits each semester upon successful completion of coursework.
The Madrid Language & Liberal Arts Summer Program runs for six weeks each year, from late May to early July. Students enroll in either two intensive Spanish courses or one Spanish course and one liberal arts course. Only levels I and II are available in the summer. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
Courses
Level I: Intensive Spanish-Language Studies Program
In cooperation with the Instituto Internacional, Boston University has designed a program of studies that enables students with a minimum of second-semester college-level Spanish to complete three semesters of language courses, and one course in Spanish civilization and culture, in one semester.
- CAS LS 211 Third-Semester Spanish
- CAS LS 212 Fourth-Semester Spanish
- CAS LS 241 Spanish Civilization
- CAS LS 303/304 Composition and Conversation in Spanish I/II
Depending on prior coursework or test scores, students are enrolled in one of the following sequences and take a total of four courses:
- CAS LS 211/212/303/241 (Level MIB), or
- CAS LS 212/303/304/241 (Level MIC), or
- CAS LS 303/304/241 (Level MID), and one course from Level II
Level II: Advanced Language Studies Program
The following courses have been offered at the Instituto Internacional and are representative of those available to Boston University Level II students. All students take a language course at a level appropriate to their proficiency (this requirement is waived for fluent students), and three additional courses of their choice, to earn a total of 16 credits per semester.
Level II students may choose to take courses at the UAM, pending admission to the UAM and the resident director’s approval. See course area listing below (Level III).
The course titles below provide a general idea of the types of courses that may be offered at the Instituto Internacional. Because course offerings tend to change, some of the courses listed may not be available during the specific academic year or semester that a student plans to study abroad. Likewise, many additional courses may be offered that are not listed. Language and culture courses are offered at the 300 level. The literature courses are offered at the 400 level.
- Advanced Language and Composition
- Art in the Museums of Madrid
- Cervantes and Don Quixote
- Contemporary Spanish Novel
- Contemporary Spanish Politics
- History of Spain: 711–1898
- History of Spanish Culture
- Spain and the European Union
- Spain and Latin America: Anthropological Perspectives
- Spanish Film
- Spanish for Professional Use
- Survey of Classical Spanish Literature
- Translation Through Film and Literature
- Women in Spanish Society
- 20th-Century Latin American Narrative
Level III: University Studies (Spring semester only)
Level III offers a specialized program for exceptionally well-qualified students who have a strong command of Spanish. Students enroll directly in coursework at the UAM. Prior to the start of the semester, students take an advanced-level course on contemporary Spain. Program participants choose three courses from a wide array of subjects offered at the university and participate in semester-long tutorials that assist them with their university coursework.
Selected UAM Course Areas
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art history
- Cinema
- Economics
- History of philosophy
- Science
- Spanish language
- Spanish philosophy
- Latin American literature
- Politics
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Spanish literature
Madrid Internship Program
In the Madrid Internship Program, students enhance their Spanish-language skills while fully immersed in the Spanish work culture. Students spend a semester in one of Europe’s commercial centers studying at the Instituto Internacional or the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). Upon successful completion of a semester, students earn 16 Boston University credits.
The Madrid Internship Summer Program takes place at the Instituto Internacional en España for eight weeks. Students intern four days a week in the morning and take one course at the Instituto Internacional in the afternoon. Students will intern approximately 20 hours per week, for seven weeks, and upon successful completion of the program, earn 8 Boston University credits.
Internship Courses
Internships (4 credits each) include an academic component and are available in the fall, spring, and summer semesters to Level II students. Areas of internship include advertising and public relations; the arts/architecture; business and economics; health and human services; film and television; field placement in hospitality administration; journalism; politics; and comparative law.
- CAS AH 505 Practicum in Arts/Architecture
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics/Finance
- CAS IR/PO 455 Internship in International Organizations
- CAS PO 451 Internship in Politics Abroad
- CAS PO 453 Internship in Comparative Law Abroad
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
- COM CM 471 Communication Internship
- COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Radio/Television
- COM JO 411 Professional Journalism Internship
- SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration
Required Courses
Students enroll in three 4-credit courses from those offered through Level II or III of the Madrid Language and Liberal Arts Program (based on semester abroad and language proficiency).
Madrid Science Program
The Madrid Science Program, offered only in the fall semester, combines science coursework with Spanish language and culture studies at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and the Instituto Internacional en España. The program design allows students to take courses that fit neatly into their curricula and requirements. In addition to coursework, students participate in guided field trips to industries and research institutions. For students interested in a career in science or health, the Madrid Science Program can help develop tools of cultural understanding for work in an international environment.
No prior knowledge of Spanish is required. Students take an intensive Spanish language course (available at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels; there is no requirement for prior language study). Students then choose three or four elective courses. These courses are taught in English and are approved by Boston University. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 16 to 18 Boston University credits.
Required Course
- CAS LS 111 First Semester Spanish
Students who have studied Spanish previously can enroll in a 4-credit language course at the intermediate or advanced levels.
Elective Courses
Students choose three:
- CAS BI 203 Cell Biology
- CAS CH 203 Organic Chemistry 1
- CAS LS 241 Spanish Civilization
- CAS MA 213 Basic Statistics and Probability
Optional Course
May be taken in addition to above courses.
- CAS NS 291 Introduction to Scientific Research (2 cr)
Menorca Field School in Archaeology and Heritage Management (Summer)
Boston University’s Summer Menorca Field School in Archaeology & Heritage Management takes place at the site of Torre d’en Galmès on the island of Menorca, Spain. The program, which is conducted in collaboration with the Universitat de les Illes Balears, consists of a six-week excavation campaign combined with lectures, laboratory work, and study tours of the island’s cultural and historical monuments. The program has a strong focus on both theory and practice of archaeological heritage management and includes opportunities for collection management, organizing exhibits, designing site brochures and catalogs, and preparing a site for tourism.
Students excavate a structure built during the late Iron Age period, dating back to the third century BC that was later reused during the Roman occupation of the island. The field school focuses on the use of domestic space from the late Iron Age through the Roman Period to Medieval times.
No previous fieldwork experience or Spanish language skills are required. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Switzerland
Geneva Internship Program
Boston University’s Geneva Internship Program, in collaboration with the University of Geneva, provides students with an opportunity to engage with these global concerns through an in-depth professional internship and carefully focused coursework.
The primary language of the program is English, but students have the option to do their internship in French. During the first five weeks of the program, students take one required core course and one elective course. During the final eight weeks, students enroll in an internship in one of the many international organizations in Geneva. Students intern full-time, four days per week, and also enroll in one elective course. Students choose from two tracks: international relations (IR) or public health.
International Relations Track
Required Course—Core Phase (students choose one)
- CAS IR 445 Introduction to Public International Law
- CAS IR/PO 446 Small States and Security Issues
Elective Courses (students choose two)
- CAS AH 308 From Caesar to Corbusier: The History of Switzerland Through Its Art and Architecture
- CAS FR 113 Beginning French I
- CAS FR 213 Intermediate French I
- CAS FR 313 Advanced French I
Internship Courses
- CAS IR/PO 444 The Activities of International Organizations
- CAS IR/PO 455 Internship in International Organizations/International Relations
Public Health Track
Required Course—Core Phase
- SPH PH 506 Principles of International Health
Elective Courses (students choose two)
- CAS AH 308 From Caesar to Corbusier: The History of Switzerland Through Its Art and Architecture
- CAS FR 113 Beginning French I
- CAS FR 213 Intermediate French I
- CAS FR 313 Advanced French I
Internship Courses
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
- SPH PH 507 Controversies in International Health
Geneva Physics Program
Boston University’s Geneva Physics Program, in cooperation with the University of Geneva, brings students directly to the cutting edge of modern physics. With classes at the University of Geneva (UniGe) and directed research at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), straddling the French/Swiss border just outside of Geneva, students work with the world’s leading physicists to explore the universe on the level of its most basic constituent particles. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 16 Boston University credits. Students in this program are considered full-time UniGe students with all student privileges.
Students are required to take all of the following courses:
- Intensive French
- CAS PY 482 Undergraduate Physics Seminar
- CAS PY 392 Directed Study or Research in Physics
- Electrodynamics II, equivalent to CAS PY 406 Electromagnetic Fields and Waves II
- Quantum Mechanics I, equivalent to CAS PY 451 Quantum Physics I
Geneva: Global Governance, Economic Development, and Human Rights Program (Summer)
Designed for students specializing in international relations, public health and other fields, this ten-week program combines coursework on global topics such as the right to health, food security, and political and economic freedom with a professional internship in an international workplace. Along with carefully focused coursework, students have the opportunity to play a role in a global organization such as the United Nations or the World Health Organization through an in-depth professional internship. The program draws on the unparalleled resources of Geneva and includes expert guest speakers and visits to international organizations. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
Geneva & London International Conflict Resolution Program (Summer)
Based at the BU Academic Centers in Geneva and London, this program introduces students to international conflict resolution in the light of contemporary conflicts and global security concerns.
The first half of the program takes place in Geneva, where students analyze contemporary conflicts and the roles of human rights, religion, foreign intervention, and intercultural communication in conflict resolution. The second half of the program, in London, focuses on case studies in conflict resolution, including Northern Ireland, Cyprus, and Kashmir. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Washington, DC
Washington, DC, Internship Program
The Washington, DC, Internship Program offers a semester of study and work in the political and media center of the United States. The program combines a full-time internship with coursework on the legislative process, government, history, international relations, media, politics, and public policy. All classes are taught by full- and part-time adjunct Boston University faculty at the BU Washington, DC, Academic Center. Upon successful completion of a semester, students earn 16 Boston University credits. An introductory course in either American politics or international relations is highly recommended prior to enrollment in this program. All participants enroll in three courses and an internship. Internships normally run four days a week throughout the semester.
The Washington, DC, Summer Internship Program runs for 10 weeks each summer. Students enroll in one course and participate in a professional internship. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 8 Boston University credits.
Core Course
- CAS SS 350 American Institutions
Elective Courses
- CAS HI 281/IR/PO 356 American Governance: Foreign Affairs
- CAS PO 321/COM CM 556 Strategies for Issue Development and Policy Change
- CAS PO 406 Introduction to Congressional Policy Making
In addition, students in the Washington, DC, Internship Program have an opportunity to take one elective course at George Washington University or the Washington campus of Johns Hopkins University.
Internship Courses
- CAS AH 505 Practicum in Arts/Architecture
- CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics/Finance
- CAS EE 404 Internship in Energy and Environmental Policy
- CAS HU 425 Practicum in Visual/Performing Arts
- CAS IR/PO 455 Internship in International Organizations
- CAS PO 404 The Washington Internship
- CAS PO 451 Internship in Politics Abroad
- CAS PO 453 Internship in Comparative Law
- CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
- COM CM 471 Communication Internship
- COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Radio/Television
- COM JO 411 Professional Journalism Internship
- SHA HF 390 Internship in Hospitality Administration
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.bu.edu/abroad.
Other Options
Beirut Exchange Program
The Beirut Exchange Program provides Boston University students with an opportunity to spend a semester or an academic year at the American University of Beirut (AUB), one of the leading universities of the Middle East. The AUB was founded in 1866 as a private, independent, non-sectarian institution of higher learning and is now a major university with over 7,000 students located on a 73-acre campus overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The university provides a rigorous curriculum in the American liberal arts tradition and the language of instruction is English. Students live in AUB residence halls or suitable off-campus housing.
Bocconi Exchange Program, Milan, Italy
Students have the opportunity to spend a semester or an academic year at the Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi in Milan, Italy. Founded in 1902, Bocconi was the first Italian university to grant degrees in economics and is internationally recognized as a leader in the fields of economics, business, and law. Students can choose from a wide variety of business and economics courses offered in English.
College of General Studies (CGS) Programs
The London CGS fall program provides an opportunity for first-semester CGS sophomores to study in London. Students take the CGS core curriculum (History of Western Epics, Evolution and Biodiversity, and Revolutions in China and Russia) along with one 4-credit elective and a 3-credit British culture course. CGS students may also study in London during the summer, focusing on either the Humanities or the Natural Sciences curriculum.
Copenhagen Exchange Program
Boston University students have the opportunity to enroll directly at one of Europe’s top universities, the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark, for a semester or an academic year. This program is of interest to students in all undergraduate fields. There is no prior language requirement and instruction is available in both English and Danish.
Engineering Programs
Boston University’s programs in Dresden, Dublin, Grenoble, Madrid, Sydney, and Tel Aviv offer a special dedicated engineering track for upper-division students in all engineering majors. These programs combine coursework in the history and culture of the host country with direct enrollment in engineering courses at the host universities as well as the best of local university study and BU’s unmatched on-site housing and staff.
External Programs
Students can take a leave of absence from Boston University to study in overseas programs sponsored by other American colleges and universities, or to enroll directly in foreign colleges and universities. Credits from overseas can be transferred to Boston University, provided that the student selects an approved program and has obtained prior approval for the program through his or her academic advisor and the Study Abroad Office, and that academic performance overseas is satisfactory. A continuation fee applies.
Hong Kong Exchange Program
Boston University students enrolled in the School of Hospitality Administration have the opportunity to spend a semester studying at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Students directly enroll in PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management and can select from a broad range of course offerings. Upon successful completion of a semester, students earn between 15 and 18 credits.
Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po)
An exchange between Boston University and the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) in Paris makes it possible for well-qualified Boston University students to study at Sciences Po for one academic year, normally in their junior year. Sciences Po is well known for its strong programs in political science, international relations, and history, although students from other disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Students must have a minimum 3.2 GPA and must have declared a major prior to their acceptance as an exchange student. Since all classes at Sciences Po are conducted in French, applicants to the program must have completed five semesters of college-level French and demonstrated a high level of proficiency in the language.
Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies, Rome, Italy
Boston University students with a serious interest in classics have an opportunity to study for a semester at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome (ICCS). It offers courses in ancient history and archaeology, Greek and Latin literature, and ancient art. A major part of the academic work is a required comprehensive and integrated course called The Ancient City. It is equal to and requires as much class and study time as two semester courses. It covers Roman archaeology and topography, aspects of social and urban history of Rome, and Roman civilization. Frequent site visits and explorations, intensive museum tours and lectures, and wider-ranging trips outside Rome are included as part of the course.
Keio University Exchange, Tokyo, Japan
The Keio University exchange program, at one of Tokyo’s top universities, offers Boston University students the opportunity to study Japan’s language and unique customs and culture. There is no prior language requirement and instruction is available in both English and Japanese, but students are expected to take one or more courses in Japanese language. Students may choose to focus on Japanese language study or international relations.
Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies
Boston University students with a minimum of two years of college-level Japanese have the opportunity to participate in a semester or year of study at the Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies (KCJS). The KCJS is sponsored by a consortium of 11 American universities and is administered in Japan by the Overseas Studies Program of Stanford University. Each semester, all students take an 8-credit course in Japanese language. Additional disciplinary-based courses in the humanities and social sciences are taught in English by Japanese and American professors, including the KCJS director and a KCJS professor from one of the consortium universities. During the second semester, several Directed Reading courses are taught in Japanese by Japanese professors. Independent study courses may also be arranged.
Management Internship Programs
For students of management, finance, and commerce, several programs offer a special dedicated management track, including direct university enrollment and often an extended semester. Offered in Dublin, Madrid, Paris, Sydney, and Washington, DC, these programs combine the best of local university study, Boston University’s unmatched on-site housing and staff, and customized internship placements. All programs are available spring semester only except Washington, DC, which is available fall and spring semester. All award 16 Boston University credits upon successful completion of the semester. Some prerequisites apply.
Renmin University Exchange, Beijing, China
Boston University students have the opportunity to study Chinese governance and foreign relations in English through Renmin University’s Contemporary China Studies Program (CCSP). CCSP resides within the School of International Studies at Renmin University, China’s premier institution for higher learning in the humanities and social sciences.
School of Education Programs
Students in the field of education have the opportunity to gain international experience through Boston University School of Education. Specially designed programs in London, Quito, and Sydney complement the SED curriculum and offer international teaching experience. Students may earn 12–14 Boston University credits upon successful completion of each program.
Seoul National University Management Internship Exchange Program
Boston University students have the opportunity to intern and study management and Korean culture by enrolling directly at Seoul National University (SNU), in the College of Business Administration. Being located in one of the world’s top financial and commercial cities, the internship experience in Seoul is well suited for management students wishing to gain global business experience. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn 16 Boston University credits. Currently, the program is offered in the spring semester only.
Singapore Exchange Program
Boston University students have the opportunity to study for a semester or an academic year at the National University of Singapore (NUS), one of Asia’s leading universities. The NUS is considered one of the top 10 universities in the Asia-Pacific region—reflecting its position as Singapore’s premier university. A comprehensive university, it offers courses in all major disciplines, ranging from the sciences, engineering, and technology to law, humanities, medicine, computing, business, and social sciences. Courses are taught in English.
Turkey Exchange Program
Boston University students have the opportunity to directly enroll at Bogaziçi University for a semester or academic year. All courses are taught in English. Located in Istanbul, the main part of this expansive campus sits on a hill overlooking the scenic Bosphorus Strait and is just minutes away from the shores of the Black Sea. As one of Turkey’s most competitive state universities, Bogaziçi University offers a wide array of programs, but its strengths lie in engineering, education, social sciences, natural sciences, and the arts.
Students must meet the admission requirements of the overseas program to which they apply in order to participate in Study Abroad programs. For more information, contact BU Study Abroad, 888 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-9888; abroad@bu.edu; or visit the BU Study Abroad website.

