Questions about studying abroad?
You've come to the right place.
Going abroad can take many forms: a traditional semester or year, a summer term, research, volunteering or interning are all options. Students interested in going abroad should also meet with their academic advisor so they can fit study abroad into their four-year academic plan.
We encourage you to begin planning early. The application process for junior year abroad begins during sophomore year. Academic and semester abroad programs are open to juniors only, but summer programs are open to all students.
Considerations
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Take Responsbility for your Experience
Going abroad is a big change from life at Boston College. Students learn new things about the world and about themselves by studying, volunteering, conducting research, and/or interning in another country. While the OIP is here to help, please keep in mind that the abroad process is ultimately your responsibility -- it is up to you to research program choices, turn in study abroad materials on time, keep in contact with OIP, and make your experience meaningful. What you get out of your time abroad depends on what you put into it. This is YOUR experience, not your friend’s, roommate’s, parent’s, sibling’s or anyone else's.
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Find a Good Fit
Choose where you want to spend an academic year/semester or summer and choose for the reasons that make the most sense for you. You should weigh the pros and cons of each location. Keep in mind that academics are a critical component of your experience abroad, and it is important that you choose a school that will best complement your coursework at BC.
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The Temptation of Travel
It is easy to catch the travel bug and spend every weekend in a different place, but remember: you are choosing to live in a new city for a reason. Traveling is only a small part of your time abroad. Take time to explore the local areas: get to know the neighborhoods, the food, the people, and the rest of your host country. Anyone can be a tourist and travel to dozens of cities, but very few have an opportunity to live in a different country for an extended period of time.
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So Now What?
With all of this in mind, the prospect of going abroad can make you feel both excited and anxious. Selecting a program may seem daunting. However, you should not be too concerned with choosing the one “right” program, as there are a variety of options that will fit your academic goals, personal needs, and interests. All BC and external programs have their merits. Instead, you can begin by determining your goals for going abroad and we at OIP can help you find a program that will help you achieve them.
Advising
Study Abroad 101 meetings for sophomores interested in studying abroad during the 2021-2022 academic year will begin in mid-September.
Students must complete an initial advising questionnaire before attending their Study Abroad 101 meeting.
The deadine to submit an application for AY 2021-22 programs (Fall 2021, Spring 2022 or Academic Year 2021-22) in January 5, 2021.
Attend a study abroad 101
Students will learn about general OIP policies, programs, and procedures and begin thinking critically about their intended abroad experience.
Sign up for a study abroad 101Meet with an OIP advisor
OIP Advisors are experts in their abroad regions, who can explain BC partner and external programs, academic culture abroad, and help students decide what may program be the best fit for them.
Meet with an OIP advisor- Students must be in good academic standing, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students must have made good progress toward meeting core and major requirements.
- A&S students must also have completed the equivalent of one year of the language proficiency requirement.
- Some programs have additional requirements. Students should consult with their OIP Advisor and the program pages for specific information.
- Summer programs have different academic requirements you should review before applying.
- All Boston College students must pass a disciplinary clearance to determine whether they will be approved for an education abroad program (all BC programs, external programs and BC summer programs).
- The disciplinary clearance will occur after students have applied. Students who have minor to moderate records may receive a precautionary e-mail by the OIP. The e-mail will remind students that further violations may result in a revised disciplinary review and possible withdrawal from a program.
- Students who have a significant status such as university probation, university suspension, deferred university suspension, housing dismissal and/or housing suspension will be reviewed by the OIP and DOS.
- Students can contact DOS to inquire about their record.
- Students can also read the full study abroad disciplinary policy.
- In line with the OIP's mission and learning outcomes, education abroad is designed to expose students to new cultures and languages. For this reason, international students are not permitted to study abroad in their home country through the OIP for semester and academic-year programs. This policy pertains to any non-U.S. student, permanent resident, or dual citizen who completed the equivalent of high school in the intended host country. For any questions about eligibility, students are encouraged to reach out to the OIP.
- Students who transfer to BC in the fall of their sophomore year are eligible to study abroad starting the fall of their junior year. Since they will only have one semester’s worth of grades at BC at the time of application, they will be accommodated to provide a transcript from their previous institution. It will be the student’s responsibility to provide the original transcript(s) in a sealed envelope.
- Students who transfer to BC in the spring of their sophomore year are not eligible to study abroad in their junior year, as they will not have had a full semester’s worth of grades at BC before the January 5th application deadline. They are instead encouraged to consider studying abroad in their senior year or on a summer program.
- Incoming sophomores need to note that a maximum of 60 credit hours may be transferred into BC. Since approved external program credits are considered transfer credits, a transfer student who has already received over 45 transfer credits from their previous institution(s) will choose to participate in a BC study abroad program.
- Transfer students are encouraged to meet with an OIP advisor, as well as to be in contact with their academic advisor/dean.
Deadlines
- Deadline for fall 2021, spring 2022 and AY 2021-2022 programs
- January 5
Step 1: Complete Advising Questionnaire
With your academic goals and personal interests in mind, research different types of programs.
Complete the Initial Advising Questionnaire in My OIP. The Initial Questionnaire must be completed in order to proceed.
Step 2: Attend a Study Abroad 101
Schedule your Study Abroad 101 Presentation. This meeting will provide details regarding studying abroad at BC. The Study Abroad 101 Presentation is required to study abroad.
Step 3: Additional research and meetings
Continue to research programs and note questions or concerns for your next meeting with an OIP Advisor. Students should consider how going abroad fits their academic plans and speak to their academic department about what courses may count.
Meeting with an OIP Advisor is strongly recommended. Students wanting to study abroad for a full year or attend a program not approved by BC, must meet with an advisor.
Montserrat students are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the Montserrat Advisor next.
Learn about scholarships and grants.
Step 4: Submit BC Application
Submit the BC Study Abroad Application on My OIP. The application will only be available to students who have completed both an Initial Advising Questionnaire (Step 1) and attended a Study Abroad 101 Presentation (Step 2). Please plan accordingly as both are mandatory requirements for all semester abroad students.
All students hoping to study abroad for a semester or academic year on any program (BC or Approved External) must complete the BC Study Abroad Application.The deadline to submit the BC Study Abroad Application on My OIP is January 5. Students who submit later than January 5 will not be considered.
By submitting the application, all students agree that changes to programs or program terms will not be allowed after the deadline and agree that OIP’s decision regarding program and term placement is final.
Step 5: Review by OIP program manager
After the January 5 application deadline, the OIP will review students’ academic and disciplinary records against specific BC policies as well any program specific requirements. Programs may have space restrictions. After the review, OIP will notify students of their abroad status.
The most important criterion OIP considers in making decisions for high demand programs is a student's academic record, including their GPA, previous courses taken, and degree. Inevitably, there are more qualified candidates than there are available positions for these programs.
If the OIP is unable to grant you one of your six choices, you will be placed in a program which most closely resembles your prior selections, in either the fall or spring semester. Students who wish to add their name to a waitlist will be able to beginning February 25.
If approved, students will apply to their chosen host program. Information regarding applying to the host program will be made available via My OIP.
Step 6: Complete host program application
Once approved, students complete the application for the host institution. An Application Instruction PDF will be available in My OIP under "Learning Content."
Step 7: Accepted by program
Students usually receive official acceptance from their host institution as listed below:
- Fall & academic year acceptances are typically sent in late April-June
- Spring acceptances are typically sent in November
Students with questions regarding the status of their application should contact the OIP Applications Team (oipapps@bc.edu), not the host institution.
Step 8: Attend pre-departure orientation
Students will be given access to an online pre-departure module on Canvas. Access will be granted the semester prior to their time abroad.
Students are also expected to attend an in-person orientation prior to departing for abroad. OIP Advisors will provide details directly to the students.
Students should keep in mind that they may need to complete additional post-acceptance paperwork for their abroad program. This may include housing applications, visa documentation, vaccinations, etc. Each program is different and students will be advised accordingly.
For more information regarding, preparing to go abroad, please review our Pre-Departure page.
Funding your Overseas Experience
Affording a study abroad experience is possible. Studying abroad is not necessarily more expensive than a semester at Boston College. While some programs in large metropolitan areas may cost more than a semester in Chestnut Hill, expenditures for many other programs may be the same or less than at BC.
Scholarships
Students seeking guidance in applying for prestigious merit awards for study abroad, as well as need-based scholarships and grants for the academic year or summer, are encouraged to meet with the Scholarships Advisor. To prepare for this meeting, students are asked to review scholarships information on the OIP website and arrive with specific questions.
Schedule a meetingMontserrat
Montserrat students are encouraged to meet with the Montserrat Advisor early on in the process of selecting programs. Students receive guidance with long-term financial planning and scholarship/grant applications. The advisor will go over the estimated student budget for BC semester, year, and summer programs, and refer students to meeting with their Financial Aid Advisor.
Schedule a meeting
Sofia Lopez is a graduate student studying for a Master's in Social Work at GSSW. As the graduate assistant for Scholarships and Fellowships, Sofia advises Montserrat students and other students interested in funding their abroad experience.
Where in the world?
Following safety guidelines, you may expect some changes to our service—advising appointments have moved to Google Meet, pre-departure orientations and other group meetings will be conducted online—but we remain fully committed to supporting you throughout this new academic year. To schedule a meeting, click on the name of the OIP Advisor specializing in the region you are interested in. You can also review programs here.
Nicholas D’India
Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Ireland (interim), Italy, Poland
Minna Ha
Australia and New Zealand (Oceania)
Christina Hatzipetros
Asia, Middle East & North Africa, Russia, Southeast Europe, domestic programs and the Ocean
Brodie Henry
Denmark, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden
Patrick O'Donnell
Latin America, Spain, Portugal
Larry Pickener
Great Britain and Sub-Saharan Africa
Shannon Williams
Interim Belgium, France & Switzerland