There are plenty of ways to have international experiences and gain intercultural competencies that don't involve a formal academic or professional commitment. You are welcome to organise your own activity that allows you to travel overseas. Among the options open to you are volunteering, field trips, short courses (i.e. language or summer schools), conferences and independent projects.
In many cases, these activities are facilitated by external organisations that may not necessarily be endorsed by BU, so it is important that you do your research carefully to ensure you have a valuable experience with tangible outcomes.
Funding available for international opportunities
If you decide to undertake an experience overseas you might be able to benefit from funding to contribute towards some of the costs of your activity.
If your field trip activity takes place in the EEA and has a duration of at least 60 days, you may be able to benefit from BU Erasmus+ funding. Please note, the Erasmus+ funding will be able available for BU students for mobilities overseas until May 2023 only.
You may also be able to benefit from BU Turing Scheme funding which is available to all BU students and recent graduates undertaking mobilities globally with a duration between 4 weeks and 12 months. For information on funding for 2022/23 please visit the Turing Scheme page.
If you would like to know more information about the Erasmus+ funding or the Turing Scheme funding and the eligibility and quality assessment requirements, please visit the relevant webpages or email the team at: [email protected] for queries about the Erasmus+ funding and at: [email protected] for queries about the Turing Scheme funding.
For further advice
Want to drop in?
The Global Engagement Mobility Team run drop-in sessions to discuss the global opportunities available to you alongside your studies and answer any questions you might have:
- Mondays and Wednesdays during term time – Join the drop-in virtually between 1pm and 5pm on MS Teams. Either search ''BU Study and Work Overseas Drop in'' in MS Teams or use this link to access the sessions in MS Teams.
- Outside term time – You can also arrange a meeting with the Global Engagement Mobility Team during the summer by emailing [email protected].
