Planning Your Activity Abroad
Whether you’re incorporating an international excursion as part of a course or creating an international service or research opportunity, Global Programs is here to guide you through the review stages and provide the knowledge, tools, and resources for success. We can help you explore different program models; familiarize you with the approval process and steps needed to get your project off the ground; and provide examples, tips, and templates to help you effectively manage the details of your activity.
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1Assessment
Global Programs can help you assess the strategic, academic, and operational considerations that can affect a project. The questions below will help you think through the risks, requirements and the feasibility of your project and prepare a framework for articulating your proposal.
Global Activity Considerations
Strategic
- How does your project fit within the strategic goals of both your department and the University?
- Have you identified similar projects at the same location?
- If so, how might your projects interact, including added value or competition for resources?
- How could the project impact the University’s reputation?
- How is BU’s name being used either domestically or abroad?
Academic
- What are the learning outcomes for your course or program, and do the resources available onsite support the students’ ability to achieve them?
- How will students be prepared to participate in the activity abroad?
- How will you assess the quality of the academic programs abroad?
- If you’d like to partner with an educational institution or agency abroad, does that institution meet or exceed Boston University academic standards?
- Does your activity affect University or program accreditation and/or licensure?
- Does the activity constitute a change to an existing degree program?
Operational
- Health, Safety, and Security
- What are the general health and security conditions and resources at your destination?
- Who will conduct a health, safety, and security assessment and develop emergency plans for your activity?
- Who is your point of contact for emergencies while abroad?
- How will participants in your program be trained on health and safety issues?
- Legal
- The legal requirements of undertaking an activity at the destination.
- Whether there is already a recognized BU entity, affiliate, or contracted partnership in the country.
- What type of agreement or contract might be required to support the activity?
- Export Control considerations, such as any sanctions imposed on your destination country or requirements around traveling with or shipping/importing equipment/data that may be restricted.
- Employment
- Does your staffing plan involve BU faculty/staff travel and/or hiring abroad?
- If using BU faculty/staff, are there any immigration regulations that need to be addressed?
- Financial
- What is the source of funding for your project, and what are the requirements or restrictions placed on it?
- What is the budget for your project? Have you considered the following:
- US or local corporate, real estate, or employment taxes?
- Salaries, fringe rates, and other associated costs?
- Cost of travel to and from the site during the planning phase and throughout the project, including immigration or vaccination costs, if applicable?
- Fees to third parties, such as institutional partners or service providers?
- If your activity involves students, how will you assess the cost to the students and their ability to pay it?
- Will it be necessary to subsidize the cost, and if so, from which budget?
- Will housing, office, or classroom space be needed and does such space already exist or need to be procured?
- How will you pay expenses on the ground?
- How will exchange rates affect your budget and expenses?
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2Proposal and Approval
Review the Teaching and Research pages to learn more about the specific operational considerations and the proposal and approval process for your activity. We recommend that you work with us early in the proposal development process to help you address the operational considerations that may impact your activity.
Planning a project in Cuba? Due to U.S. financial sanctions, you will need to obtain special approval for travel. Refer to the Travel to Cuba page for more information.
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3Implementation
Once your project has been approved or funded, you can build on the information gathered in the assessment and proposal phases, as well as the operational best practices throughout this section, to help in the implementation and management of your project abroad. Be sure to use the tools provided to help you keep track of expenses, develop and maintain emergency plans, and/or book your travel. We’re here to help, so contact us at any step along the way.
