Study abroad is a value complement to a student's Boston College experience. BC has a reputation for providing high quality study abroad opportunities throughout the world. Study abroad is primarily an academic experience, and not only a chance to travel the world. We encourage students to immerse themselves fully into the experience and not just make it another box to check during their college careers. Studies have indicated that an international experience is a high impact academic experience, similar to undergraduate research or a living-learning community. Study abroad provides valuable skills to students entering the workforce.

Nationally, less than 10% of U.S. undergraduates participate in any study abroad experience. At Boston College, close to 50% of our undergraduates participate in a study abroad opportunity. Each university in the United States operates their study abroad operations differently. There is not one agreed upon model that works for every university. However, the OGE uses the best practices established by the Forum on Education Abroad and NAFSA to guide the structure of its abroad programming. OGE routinely reviews its program offerings and its policies to align with the goals of Boston College as well as the professional ethos established by education abroad’s professional association.

Study abroad planning begins one academic year before studying abroad. Most students study abroad during their junior year, which means that students must engage with our office during their sophomore year. To begin, students must attend a Study abroad 101 meeting well before the January 5th application deadline. Students who do not attend a Study abroad 101 will not be considered eligible to study abroad. 

The safety and welfare of our students abroad is our first and foremost priority. Country-specific information about health and safety is provided to students throughout the advising process and in pre-departure orientation, and additional resources are available on the "Health & Safety" page. Students are encouraged to contact their study abroad advisor with any questions or concerns prior to departure or while abroad.

All students who choose to study abroad for academic credit, must apply and be approved for study abroad by the Office of Global Education (OGE). OGE has established one application deadline for all semester study abroad. The deadline to apply is January 5. This deadline is for all full-year, fall, and spring semester opportunities in the following academic year. Please note that while the vast majority of students study during their junior year, exceptions can be made for study outside of a student’s junior year. Students may not study abroad outside of BC’s  established process for academic credit. Students who study abroad for a semester without OGE’s approval will not receive credit for their time abroad.

Students must be in  good academic and disciplinary standing. Academically, this means a 3.0 and sufficient progress to their BC degree. Some study abroad programs are more competitive than others. This means the accepted GPA may be higher than a 3.0 cumulative GPA.Students should plan appropriately by properly researching programs and meeting with study abroad advisors in the OGE. We highly suggest students speak to their academic advisors regarding how study abroad fits into their academic plans prior to selecting a program. These meetings are meant to complement each other and help students make the best choices available.

If a student applies by the January 5th deadline and is academically eligible, OGE will be able to approve the student to study abroad. However, students are not guaranteed a specific program or term. Students are asked to select 6 programs and 6 term choices. We recommend students do not select the same term and the same cities repeatedly. Students should attempt to be diverse in their selections and students need to be flexible regarding program terms and location. 

All students are personally responsible for obtaining a valid passport, as well as complying with immigration and entry requirements, such as the appropriate student visa, residence permit, etc. Except for a small number of countries, individual universities in the United States cannot secure the necessary travel documents for students. Students must do this in person. OGE will provide guidance when appropriate, but the OGE is not a visa processing agency. Related, each country has different requirements. For example, what students have to secure for Greece is not the same as what they may have to secure for Australia. Students are expected to understand and review the entry requirements for their study abroad programs. 

Students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. If your student plans to arrive before the start of the program, they should book accommodations for that time. Students are advised to wait until they have received official acceptance from the host university or program before buying plane tickets. BC students are expected to arrive on time to attend locally scheduled on-site orientations and/or early-start programs. Additionally, students are expected to remain abroad until all academic work has been completed at their host university. Students are expected to adhere to all academic rules and regulations of their host university. 

In most cases, students are responsible for securing their own housing abroad. Students will receive information regarding housing from their host university/program. Their BC study abroad advisors will provide guidance where, and when appropriate, but except for a small number of programs, Boston College does not secure overseas housing for study abroad students.

Boston College charges home school tuition. Using home school tuition allows BC to provide greater access to study abroad programs for all Boston College students, regardless of their financial means. Students studying abroad are charged the same tuition as if they were on Boston College’s campus. Students are able to use any BC institutional financial aid (scholarships, grants, merit aid, etc.) as well as federal aid, while studying abroad. Boston College will pay tuition directly to the host institution/third party provider on behalf of the student. Students are responsible for the payment of housing, meals, and other miscellaneous charges, unless otherwise noted.

Students select from a variety of programs, including Boston College programs and Approved External programs. “Boston College Programs” refers to study abroad programs where BC has established a direct partnership with a foreign institution or program. These partnerships allow Boston College to work closely with a host university, allowing for greater collaboration between institutions. In many locations, Boston College employs a Resident Director to further enhance the abroad experience. Students attending a Boston College program will pay BC tuition and an international health insurance fee directly to BC. Although a few Boston College programs will charge students directly for housing costs via Boston College, the vast majority of students will pay their housing costs directly to their host institution.

Boston College has a long-established history of using third-party study abroad programs to provide abroad opportunities in locations not supported by BC programs. Students attending an approved external program will pay Boston College tuition to Boston College, as well as international health insurance. All other fees (housing, non-tuition program fees, etc.) will be billed to the student by the external provider. The student will be responsible for paying these non-tuition fees directly to the external provider.

OGE will ensure proper transfer of credit back to Boston College. All courses taken abroad are entered into a student's BC record as if they were regular BC courses regardless of W, F, or Incomplete grades. Grades earned abroad appear on a student’s transcript and are factored into their GPA.

Students are responsible for securing approval for any course they would like to count towards a major, minor, or the Boston College core. Approval for major, minor, or the university core is at the discretion of the appropriate Boston College academic department.