Boston University

09/09/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/10/2024 02:55

Venice, Hong Kong, or Sydney? Shop Your Options at Wednesday’s Study Abroad Expo

Venice, Hong Kong, or Sydney? Shop Your Options at Wednesday's Study Abroad Expo

BU students studying abroad in Italy on a tour of Borogluce, an agricultural estate and winery about 45 miles north of Venice. Photo courtesy of Joan Salge Blake

Student Life

Venice, Hong Kong, or Sydney? Shop Your Options at Wednesday's Study Abroad Expo

Explore BU's 200-plus abroad programs at this fair on Marsh Plaza, with free swag

September 9, 2024
0
TwitterFacebook

Itching for a change of scenery from the usual Commonwealth Ave bustle?

Check out the annual Study Abroad Expo on Marsh Plaza tomorrow, September 11, from 10 am to 2 pm. Sponsored by BU Global Programs and BU Study Abroad, the fair gives interested students the opportunity to learn about BU's 200-plus study abroad offerings in 30 cities around the world, including Cape Town, Hong Kong, and Venice.

Students can speak to upperclassmen who have already studied abroad and chat with reps from Study Abroad, academic departments, and Financial Assistance. Staff from the London, Padua, Venice, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles study abroad programs will be on hand for students interested in those specific programs. And, there will be swag, fun activities, and giveaways.

Although BU is not adding any new programs this year, Study Abroad is offering new computer science courses in the London and Sydney programs and third-year engineering courses in the Padua program.

Gareth McFeely, executive director of Study Abroad, says the expo is the department's largest annual event on campus. "It's an opportunity for us to connect with as many students as possible in a very visible location on Marsh Plaza," he says.

The expo is for everyone: from students early in the process to those who have already applied and want to meet staff members for their location. Although the event typically draws first- and second-year students, anyone is welcome to attend.

"Our goal is often the same, and that's to get out in front of as many people as possible, to try to help answer as many questions as possible," McFeely says, "but also to make students aware that we're there for them individually."

Some of the BU programs operate out of the University's own sites in the various countries, others place students directly in foreign universities, and a few are run by partner study abroad organizations. Students can also choose between completing an internship abroad, taking major-focused or Hub classes, or taking general classes.

Issac Killilea (Pardee'25, CAS'25) has studied abroad three separate times, in Venice, Paris, and Dublin, and says that each experience felt completely new.

"Saying yes to things while you're abroad is so important," Killilea says. "If it's an opportunity to go see a new city and meet new people, say yes to that. In the end, you're going to learn and grow so much as a person."

Killilea also advises researching all of BU's and Study Abroad's available resources-he credits the University's Newbury Center (a support hub for first-generation college students) with helping him find financial help so he could afford his trips. "I feel like the idea that BU abroad is going to cost more than BU itself is so wrong, because for me it was actually cheaper to be abroad," he says.

Another fan of studying abroad is Lizzy Morearty (Questrom'26). She completed a marketing internship program in Sydney, while simultaneously taking a course on Australian art and architecture.

Morearty liked the opportunity to be around people from different colleges, and she also feels her trip was a good résumé booster. "It shows that you're really adaptable and open to new experiences," she says.

I think it's a great way to just have a fun time, meet a lot of cool people, and boost your résumé.
Lizzy Morearty (Questrom'26)

McFeely, Morearty, and Killilea are all in agreement about the importance of preparing in advance and taking advantage of the opportunities each program offers.

"Become a little bit more familiar with the place that you're going," McFeely advises. "Read a book about the place, read a novel that's set in that place. Make it feel real before you get on the plane."

The deadline to apply for spring 2025 programs is October 1, and the deadline for summer 2025 programs is March 1. Find the applications here. If you can't make it to the Study Abroad Expo, there are several other events and info sessions to attend throughout the semester. Check them out on the Study Abroad events calendar here.

Event Details

Study Abroad Expo

Explore the opportunities abroad and hear about the experiences of BU's Study Abroad ambassadors who recently returned from their trips, meet site staff from around the globe, and chat with BU Study Abroad staff about program options, grants, and scholarships. There will also be swag, fun activities, and giveaways.

September1110:00 AMtoSeptember112:00 PM

Marsh Plaza

Explore Related Topics:

  • Share this story
  • 0CommentsAdd

Share

Venice, Hong Kong, or Sydney? Shop Your Options at Wednesday's Study Abroad Expo

Copy URL:Copy

  • Crystal Yormick (COM'26)

    Crystal Yormick (COM'26) Profile

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

Post a comment. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *

Comment*view guidelines
Name *
Email *
Submit Comment

Latest from BU Today