London Calling
UK study-abroad program proves biggest draw for BU students
Si Yun Chen wants to know what will make women buy Lancôme perfume. At her internship in the multinational company’s London office, Chen (COM’08) analyzes the competition, tests ad slogans, discusses possible product launches, and generally puts into practice what she’s learned in the PR and marketing track at the College of Communication.
Chen is one of the 225 students participating in this semester’s London internship program, which places students at companies ranging from Sotheby’s to People magazine. The London program is BU’s most popular international program, accounting for about a third of all students in programs abroad in any given semester, according to Chris Russell, associate director of marketing and recruiting in the Division of International Programs Study Abroad Office.
This popularity is on the rise, with applications for this summer’s programs showing an increase of 8 percent over last year and applications for the spring 2007 programs increasing by 6 percent.
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taught at a school in the London
borough of Hounslow for her
internship in 2005.
“The program attracts students from all disciplines,” says Nancy Downey, Study Abroad’s director of programs. “It’s especially appealing to students who want to be in a large city like London.”
The summer program now consists of 12 credits instead of 16, accounting for some of the increased interest, Downey says, because it gives students more time to experience all that London has to offer.
“We have a very large social program that includes volunteering, weekends away in the Welsh countryside, day trips outside London, sporting events, theater, ballet, and opera,” says Alison Campbell, assistant director for academic affairs in BU’s London office.
The London program offers courses and internship placement in 11 tracks, including arts and arts administration, theater studies, management and finance, and politics and international relations. In the fall and spring, students take three courses — in addition to their internship — and earn 16 credits.
On of the most popular London programs, with 34 College of Fine Arts students enrolled this spring, is an intensive semester of acting instruction offered in conjunction with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. About 15 students a semester study at Oxford University’s St. Anne’s College through BU’s Oxford Honors Study Program.
“The year I spent at Oxford was by far the best academic experience I’ve ever had,” says Katie Smyth (CAS’07). “I worked harder there than I ever have before, but I also had a lot of fun traveling, playing ultimate, and just enjoying Oxford social life.”
Reluctant to leave England after a year in Oxford, Smyth is spending her last BU semester in the London internship program. “I have a moderate obsession with Parliament and British government, which is where I’m interning,” the political science major says. In her work with David Anderson, a member of Parliament, Smyth answers e-mails and letters to constituents, attends meetings on topics across the political spectrum, and goes to debates in the House of Commons.
Applications for the fall 2007 BU programs in London and Oxford are due March 15. Applications can be found online at the International Programs Web site.
Catherine Santore can be reached at csantore@bu.edu.