Study Abroad Opportunities
for Students Interested in
BOSTON COLLEGE
When Can I Study Abroad?
English majors are eligible to study abroad during either
the fall or spring semester of their junior year. For
students who plan ahead, it may be possible to study
abroad for an entire academic year, but students must
be in early contact with the Director of Undergraduate
Studies. Students in the Creative Writing concentration
are not encouraged to study abroad for a full year, due
to the curricular requirements of the concentration.
Various BC summer programs are also offered every
year in which students may participate as early as the
summer after the freshman year. The following summer
seminars taught by English department faculty will be
offered in summer 2013:
 “Creative Writing Workshop: Writing Out of
Place” in Mussoorie, India
 “Inspiration on the Streets of Paris 2013” in
Paris, France
 “James Joyce’s Ireland” in Dublin, Ireland
Should I Study In A Foreign Language Destination?
Beyond the BC language requirement, there are options
to study abroad in the target language. Students would
need to have strong language skills in order to directly
enroll in literature courses. Those courses can count
toward the English major. Students who already have
strong language skills can select a program where they
will take all courses in the local language, such as
Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador.
There are several prestigious BC programs in English
speaking countries that offer excellent courses in
English, such as University College Dublin in Ireland.
Students are encouraged to speak with their faculty
advisor and International Study Advisor in order to
determine the best fit for their interests.
What Classes Should I Take Before Studying Abroad?
Early planning is essential to ensure that students will
meet all BC requirements and that they will have a
strong English background for study abroad. Since most
international education systems require a higher degree
of specialization at an earlier level, this strong
background will allow students to take advantage of the
best offerings at the host institution, including upper-level
seminars.
At a minimum, all English majors should take the
following courses prior to study abroad:

EN131: Studies in Poetry

EN133: Studies in Narrative
ENGLISH
All English majors must meet with their departmental
advisor before studying abroad. With their faculty advisor,
students will map out a tentative schedule for the
semester(s) abroad and for the remaining time on campus
at Boston College to show how students plan to meet the
remaining major requirements.
What Classes Should I Plan To Take Abroad?
The ideal type of course is one that fits with the English
major but is not available at BC. Courses that focus on the
region in which students are studying and those that reflect
the academic strengths of the host university department
are highly recommended.
To receive major credit for courses taken abroad, students
must provide a course syllabus and obtain approval from
the Director of Undergraduate Studies if a course is not
pre-approved.
English students should remember that the department
allows a maximum of two courses to be taken abroad per
semester and four courses per academic year with
department approval.
What If I Am Planning To Do An Honors Thesis?
In recent years, many students have used their
experiences abroad to help generate or supplement a
compelling honors thesis. For some English majors who
already have a topic in mind, studying abroad provides an
excellent opportunity to conduct on-site research and
establish contact with faculty at the host institution. All
students are strongly encouraged to think about how their
semester or year abroad can be integrated into an honors
thesis.
Students who are planning to do an honors thesis are
strongly urged to plan ahead. Students are advised to
establish a thesis topic and identify a BC faculty member
willing to supervise their work before departing and to
maintain e-mail contact with their thesis advisor while
abroad. Students should discuss whether or not they need
to take a specific course while abroad.
For students studying abroad in the spring semester of
their junior year, the honors thesis proposal is due in
September of their senior year. However, those students
must be in contact with Professor Andrew Sofer, director of
the program during the spring.
(http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/english/undergraduate/hon
ors.html)
How Can I Find Out More Information?
 Visit OIP in Hovey House during business hours
 Go to the OIP website : www.bc.edu/international
 Go to the English department’s website:
 http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/english.html
 Attend an OIP “Info Session” to learn about study
abroad opportunities


Visit OIP “Resource Room” at Hovey House to speak
with an Advising Assistant about study abroad
Set up an appointment with an International Study
Advisor to discuss specific programs
University Partnerships with Programs for Students Interested in English
University
Terms of Study
AUSTRALIA
University of Melbourne
University of Western Australia
University of Notre Dame, Fremantle
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
DENMARK
Copenhagen University
Fall, Spring, Full Year
GERMANY
Eichstätt Catholic University
Spring, Full Year
GREAT BRITAIN
Advanced Studies in England, Bath
Durham University
University College London
King's College
University of Glasgow
Lancaster University
Queen Mary
Royal Holloway
University of Liverpool
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Spring, Full Year
IRELAND
Trinity College
University College Dublin
National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
THE NETHERLANDS
University College Utrecht
University of Amsterdam
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
SOUTH AFRICA
University of Cape Town
Rhodes University, Grahamstown
Fall, Spring, Full Year
Fall, Spring, Full Year
SPAIN
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Fall, Spring, Full Year
SWEDEN
Uppsala University
Fall, Spring, Full Year
updated 1/16/13
Summer Seminars 2013 for Students Interested in English
Seminar Title
City
FRANCE
Inspiration on the Streets of Paris (3 credits)
Paris
INDIA
Creative Writing Workshop: Writing Out of Place (3
credits)
Mussoorie
IRELAND
Joyce in Dublin (3 credits)
Dublin
updated 11/13/12