Learn, Explore, Connect with Immersive Academic Experiences

The BU Global Language & Culture program offers undergraduate and graduate students a two-week immersive academic experience in France or Spain, combining classroom learning with meaningful cultural and language immersion abroad.

Through WED WL 590: Global Language & Culture, students earn 4 BU credits while participating in a faculty-led international experience that integrates on-campus coursework with immersive study abroad. Depending on the program, students may live and study in Vichy, France, or Salamanca, Spain, engaging deeply with language, culture, and educational systems through partnerships with CAVILAM–Alliance Française and Enforex Spain.

Designed to be academically rigorous, accessible, and highly engaging, the program provides an opportunity for students to participate in global learning experiences that may be more feasible than a traditional semester-long study abroad program.

Course Overview

All offerings of WED WL 590 share a common commitment to immersive global learning, faculty mentorship, and comparative cultural study. While destinations, schedules, housing options, and language prerequisites may vary by term, students in every program will experience:

  • Intensive language instruction through partner institutions in France or Spain
  • Cultural excursions and opportunities for daily life immersion
  • Comparative study of European (French or Spanish) and US educational systems
  • A certificate of completion from the host institution
  • Housing with a local host family or in furnished student accommodations, depending on program location and structure

The course integrates language study, cultural exploration, and comparative analysis of educational contexts, helping students develop global perspectives, intercultural communication skills, and practical language proficiency.

This webpage will be updated regularly with additional program details, application materials, and deadlines. Please check back often for the latest information.

In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more, please contact:

Upcoming Program Offerings

January 2027: Global Language & Culture in Vichy, France (Global Experience January 2027, Spring semester course) Learn more

June 2027: Global Language & Culture in Vichy, France (Global Experience June 2027, Summer I semester course) Learn more

July 2027: Global Language & Culture in Salamanca, Spain (Global Experience July 2027, Summer II semester course) Learn more

Upcoming Information Sessions

Wednesday, September 9 | 4–5 pm (ET)
Zoom:  https://bostonu.zoom.us/j/92883782595?pwd=SFXaCRzhcS0MfHaGqsQkobQNN3akUd.1
Meeting ID: 928 8378 2595
Passcode: 424720

Thursday, September 17 | 12–1 pm (ET)
Zoom: https://bostonu.zoom.us/j/98273490840?pwd=8DvjFQp9cdAGyFJS5dkDkuPbGwn4xS.1
Meeting ID: 982 7349 0840
Passcode: 908177

Wednesday, September 23 | 11 AM–12:30 pm (ET)
In Person — 2 Silber Way, Room 423
Pre-registration required; lunch will be provided. Register here.

Life Abroad

This program is developed by BU Wheelock, not the BU Study Abroad office, but their website may have helpful resources.

When you study abroad, you embark on one of the great adventures of your life. With some forethought and a little planning, you can help ensure that your study abroad experience will deliver the adventure and education you want. To explore key considerations and resources to help you stay safe, healthy, and ready for the journey ahead, visit BU Study Abroad’s Health & Safety page.

Boston University seeks to build and sustain programs that make every student, whether from BU or elsewhere, feel prepared, welcomed, supported, empowered and valued throughout their experience. Studying in a new location, either abroad or elsewhere within the U.S., opens a window to diverse and different practices, values, points of view, and ways of life. Similarly, our students embody a wide range of identities that can affect their experiences while abroad. BU is committed to preparing all students to adapt and thrive in their new surroundings and ensuring that all our programs are safe, welcoming, and accessible regardless of ability, gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, economic status, nationality, religion, or any intersection of these identities. Learn more by visiting BU Study Abroad.

What Our Students Say

Program Experience and Accessibility

“This program happened at such a pivotal point in my experience as a student. This life changing opportunity combined two weeks of intensive language learning while being immersed in the culture of Vichy, France. The deep level of global learning and connection is rare for such a short study abroad opportunity. It was perfect for someone who wasn’t able to commit an entire semester to studying abroad!”

“For graduate students that are part-time this is a very accessible and enriching experience to learn global languages.”

“For someone like me, for whom studying abroad for an entire semester was not a possibility, this two-week long, culturally and linguistically immersive trip made studying abroad accessible and meaningful.”

Homestay and Language Immersion

“For a fully immersive experience, consider living in a homestay. This environment provides consistent opportunities to practice French language skills, gain meaningful insight into local culture, and experience daily life in a way that independent apartment living cannot offer. A homestay also fosters personal growth by encouraging adaptability and openness, as you are welcomed into a host family’s home and routines. This depth of cultural and linguistic immersion is both highly rewarding and difficult to replicate through independent travel alone.”

“While I was nervous about staying with a host family during my time in Vichy, it ultimately made my experience what it was and contributed to my rapid language development. In addition to this, living with a host family with a fellow French language student from Saudi Arabia provided me with an opportunity to more thoughtfully consider what it means to participate in culture and the role that language plays in self expression.”

Personal Growth

“Step out of your safety bubble and explore! Putting yourself in difficult and scary situations teaches you the most valuable lessons. On day one, I accidentally told my host family I was married (I’m not!) and on day 14 they told me they were proud of everything I’ve learned! To those who say nothing can be learned in two weeks you tell me what c’est pa grave means!”

Academic and Professional Impact

“This program gave me a unique perspective of what it is like to be a language learner in a new country. This was an invaluable experience as a teacher who has students that are English language learners. Additionally, it sparked an interest in global education and I am now interested to explore the education systems of other countries.”

Questions?

Because international travel guidelines can change frequently, please check the BU Study Abroad website regularly for updates and important information. If you have additional questions, reach out to Mary Churchill at machurch@bu.edu.