Choosing a Program

Choosing a Program

Complete Program Options List

Programs are listed by region. "Period" indicates the Bowdoin academic period for which there is an option of equivalent duration. (F=fall, S=spring, Y=full year; letters in parentheses if restrictions exist.) Take care to find out the exact term dates, including exams.

Starting from this list and the recommendations of your major department, develop a short list of programs and courses to research. Note that most of these programs and even universities focus on or are strongest in specific disciplines, and will not be appropriate for all students.

Africa | Asia | Europe (Austria to Italy) | Europe (Russia to UK) | Middle East | Oceania | Central and South America; Caribbean | USA |

PROGRAM

PERIOD

NOTES

Africa

    
Botswana    
Pitzer in Botswana F/S/(Y) Intensive Setswana study, family stays, fieldwork, core course in regional cooperative development, university seminars, directed independent study project. Affiliated with U. of Botswana.
Cameroon    
SIT, Cameroon (Development & Social Change) F/S Based in Yaoundé. French, History, Geography, Politics, Development Studies, Cultural Anthropology, rural visit. Homestays. Requires 3 recent semesters college-level French.
Egypt    
American University in Cairo F/S/Y Long-established university on modern campus on outskirts of city. Offerings in Arab Culture and History, Arabic Language, Egyptology, Islamic Art and Architecture, Middle East Politics, etc.
Ghana    
CIEE, Ghana F/S/Y Programs at U. of Legon or private Ashesi U. Courses in Twi language, West African studies, social sciences, humanities, arts. Volunteer opportunities. Requires 3.0 GPA.
Kenya    
School for Field Studies, Kenya (Wildlife Management) F/S Research-based program focusing on range and wildlife ecology, as well as human-wildlife conflict and competition around national parks.
St. Lawrence University, Kenya Semester F/S Courses in Kiswahili, Culture, Ecology and Development in East Africa, electives. Based in Nairobi, but with field trips and rural homestays.
Madagascar    
SIT, Madagascar (Ecology & Conservation) F/S Field study program based in Fort Dauphin. Intensive French, independent study project. Homestays.
Morocco    
SIT, Morocco (Culture & Society) F/S Based in Rabat, with educational excursions to other parts of country. Intensive Modern Standard Arabic, independent study project. Homestays.
Namibia    
Augsburg Center for Global Education, Semester in Namibia F/S Focuses on development, apartheid and colonialism, globalization. Courses include Political Science, Religion, History. Based in Windhoek. Group trip to South Africa. Homestays in Windhoek and rural area.
Senegal    
U. Wisconsin-Madison, St Louis, Senegal Y At U. Gaston Berger de Saint-Louis. Orientation in Wisconsin and Dakar. Courses in Wolof, French, social sciences, humanities. Homestay (Dakar), dorms with Senegalese roommates (St. Louis). Requires 4 semesters college-level French.
CIEE, Dakar F/S/Y Based at Suffolk University, l'Université Cheikh Anta Diop and Baobab Center. Courses in French, Wolof, social sciences, humanities. Homestay. Volunteer opportunities. Requires 2 semesters college-level French.
South Africa    
University of Cape Town F/S/Y Prestigious university in beautiful, vibrant city. Mostly shared student apartments. Voluntary service available. Enrollment direct or through CIEE or Interstudy
Tanzania    
SIT, Tanzania (Wildlife Ecology & Conservation) F/S Field study program based in Arusha. Intensive Swahili, independent study project. Homestays.
SIT, Tanzania (Zanzibar - Coastal Ecology) F/S Field study program based in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Intensive Swahili, independent study project. Homestays.

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Asia

    
China    
Associated Colleges in China, Beijing F/S/Y Intensive Chinese language program hosted by Capital U. of Economics & Business. Language pledge. Min. 1 year college-level Chinese required.
CET, Beijing F/S/Y Language program for advanced students, at Beijing Inst. of Education; Chinese Studies for other levels at Capital Normal U. Small classes. Chinese roommates.
CET, Harbin F/S/Y For high intermediate and advanced students. At Harbin Inst. of Technology. One-on-one and one-on-two instruction, small classes. Chinese roommates, language pledge.
Chinese University of Hong Kong, International Asian Studies Program F/S/Y Large university offering courses in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Courses in Chinese, Asian and International Studies.
Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies (IUP), Beijing (F)/(S)/Y Intensive Chinese language program on Tsinghua University campus in Beijing. Requires 2 years of college-level Mandarin.
Japan    
Associated Kyoto Program Y 2-semester program based at Doshisha U. in historic Kyoto. Homestays. Requires at least 1 year of Japanese language, 1 other Japan-related course, 3.0 GPA.
IES, Nagoya F/S/Y Based at Nanzan U. Center for Japanese Studies. Intensive Japanese language, area studies courses taught in English. Off-site orientation, field trips. Homestay or dormitory housing.
Japan Center for Michigan Universities F/S/Y In Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. Beginning to advanced Japanese language, with electives in English. Homestay or apartment accommodation.
Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (F)/(S)/Y 2-semester program (limited single-semester options), managed by Columbia. Core Japanese language course; English- and Japanese-language courses in humanities and social sciences. Homestays or apartments. Requires 2 years of Japanese language.
Korea    
Yonsei University F/S/Y Prestigious university in dynamic city of Seoul. Korean language and wide variety of university courses taught in English. Enrollment direct or through CIEE
South Asia:    
India    
SIT, Tibetan & Himalayan Studies F/S Based in India (Dharamsala) & Bhutan. Homestays. Excursion to Autonomous Region of Tibet, conditions permitting.
South India Term Abroad (SITA), Madurai, Tamil Nadu F/S/(Y) Tamil Language, history, religion, literature, social and cultural issues, independent study. Host families. Tours of several regions in South India.
Nepal    
Pitzer in Nepal F/S Based in Kathmandu. Nepali studies, intensive Nepali language, directed independent study. Study trips, family stays. Affiliated with Tribhuvan U.
Sri Lanka    
Intercollegiate Sri Lanka Education (ISLE), Kandy F/S Affiliated with U. of Peradeniya. Language study, history, Buddhist philosophy & practice, social & gender issues, literature & folklore, politics, economics, dance, ind. study. Homestays.
Thailand    
CIEE, Khon Kaen F/S Courses in Thai language, Development and the Environment, Social Research Methods. Directed Research project. Peer tutoring program. Apartment with Thai roommate.

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Europe

    
Austria    
IES, Vienna (F)/S/Y German language; area courses in English. Music program. Enrollment at U. of Vienna for qualified students. Housing in apartments, homestays, or student residence halls.
Czech Republic    
CHP (Collegium Hieronymi Pragensis) European Studies Program, Prague F/S Small, selective program with courses in social sciences, humanities, Czech language and culture.
Denmark    
Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS), Copenhagen F/S/Y Linked with U. of Copenhagen. Humanities & Social Sciences, EU Politics, Pre-Architecture, Marine Biology/Ecology, Molecular Biology/Genetics, Medical Practice/Policy, Child Development. Homestay, residence halls, some apartment options.
France    
Dickinson in France, Toulouse S/Y Based at France's second largest university, U. de Toulouse. All courses taught in French, in full array of university subjects. Field trips, cultural events. Homestays.
Hamilton College Junior Year in France, Paris (F)/(S)/Y Combination of university and in-house courses. Directed by Hamilton French professors. Single-semester options limited, mostly for science majors. Homestays. Recommended by Bowdoin French faculty; also good Art History offerings.
IES, Nantes (F)/S/Y In one of France's "most livable" cities, with few Americans. French language & literature, history, psychology, government, etc. Courses in French at IES center; at U. de Nantes in select disciplines. Homestays, field trips. French-only policy at center.
U. Minnesota, Montpellier F/S/Y Based at U. Paul Valéry. Mix of special and university courses. Family, apartment, or dormitory accommodation.
Swarthmore College Program in Grenoble F/S/Y Small program. Courses taught in French at U. de Grenoble (48,000 students). Homestays.
Vassar-Wesleyan in Paris F/S/Y Intensive French program, semester option. Taught in French, at Reid Hall and Paris univs/institutes. Pre-semester language/orientation session. Homestays encouraged.
Germany    
Antioch in Germany, Tübingen S/Y Based at Eberhard Karls Universität in Tübingen. Intensive pre-semester preparation and orientation. Wide range of courses in German at university. Accommodation in German student houses.
IES, Berlin (F)/S/Y Enrollment option at Humboldt-Universität, and courses taught in German at IES center: German, Economics, Film, History, Politics, Sociology, Women's Studies, etc. Housing with Germans. 4/5 semesters of college-level German required.
IES, Freiburg (F)/S/Y Courses at IES center in German, Art History, Economics, Film, History, Theater, Govt., etc. Enrollment option at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität. Housing in German student residences. 4/5 semesters of college-level German required.
IES, European Union (F)/S/Y In Freiburg. Focus on EU, with Economics, IR, Government. Field-study to European cities. No German req. for admission; beginning/intermed. mandatory on program. German student residences.
Tufts in Tübingen S/Y Small (20 students) program. Wide variety of courses in German through enrollment at Eberhard Karls Universität. Intensive German refresher course offered. Single rooms in student dormitories.
Wayne State University, Munich (S)/Y Affiliated with top-ranked Ludwig Maximilian Univ. of Munich. All courses taught in German at JYM Center or through university enrollment. Dormitories with German students.
Greece    
College Year in Athens F/S/Y Classical art and archaeology, ancient history, literature; also political science, Byzantine and modern history, modern Greek, ethnography, IR, etc. Study tours. Shared student apartments.
Hungary    
Budapest Semesters in Mathematics F/S/Y Courses mostly in pure mathematics taught in English by eminent Hungarian professors. Introduction to Hungarian language at start of program. 
Ireland    
Trinity College, Dublin F/S/Y Ireland's oldest university, est. 1592. Enrollment 12,000. Wide range of subjects, but students may take courses in no more than two schools or faculties. Housing in dormitories or student flats. 3.3 GPA required.
University College Cork (NUI Cork) (F)/S/Y In Ireland's second largest city, enrollment 14,000. Strong in a variety of disciplines. Certificate in Irish Studies offered. Fall students take one of several "Early Start" programs. Student apartments.
National University of Ireland, Galway F/S/Y University of 13,000 in expanding city of 65,000. Strong course offerings in a variety of disciplines. Housing in self-catering student flats.
Italy    
Boston University, Padova F/S/Y Intensive language study, university courses, in historic city 20 miles W of Venice. Intermediate and Advanced programs. Italian university faculty. Individual study projects, homestays.
Brown in Bologna (F)/(S)/Y Full immersion program at U. of Bologna (founded 1088, 90,000+ students). Brown office in Bologna. Student dorms. Limited space; full year preferred.
CET, History of Art in Siena F/S/Y Affiliated with U. per Stranieri di Siena. Italian language, beginner to advanced; art history (recommended for majors). Italian roommates. Siena a quieter location than Florence.
Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies, Rome F/S Roman art, archaeology, history; Greek & Roman literature; Italian language; Renaissance & baroque Italian art. Strong classical language skills required.
IES, Milan F/S/Y Beginning/Intermediate and Advanced Italian programs. Area studies courses taught in English and Italian. Enrollment at Milan universities and music conservatory for qualified students. Housing in apartments with Italian roommates.
IES, Rome F/S/Y Large program. University and visual arts courses for students with 1-2 years of language; electives in English. Housing in Italian homes or apts.
Middlebury in Ferrara S/Y Courses at U. of Ferrara (founded 1391, enr. 12,000) in relatively tourist-free city. Suitable for advanced, independent student. 5 semesters Italian required. Language pledge. Full year preferred.
NYU, Florence F/S/Y Italian language, area courses taught in English. Housing in program villa, apts, homestays. Recommended for Art History; other majors advised to steer clear of Florence because of number of American visitors.
Temple University, Rome F/S/Y Recommended for Visual Arts; other courses include Art History, Art conservation. Italian language courses. Student apts.
Trinity College, Rome Campus F/S Courses include Italian language, Art History, Art Conservation, History, IR, Economics, Classics. Dormitory-style housing.
Vassar - Wellesley - Wesleyan, Bologna F/S/Y Small program. Intensive pre-semester language/orientation session. Courses taught by Italian faculty; qualified students may enrol at U. degli Studi Bologna. Housing in apts. with Italian students. At least 2 semesters of college-level Italian required.
Russia    
ACTR, Russian Language and Area Studies: Moscow; St. Petersburg; Vladimir F/S/Y Based at Moscow International U./Moscow Linguistics U./Russian State Pedagogical U., St. Petersburg/CORA, Vladimir. Intensive language study. Homestay or university dormitory housing. 2 years minimum college-level Russian required.
Middlebury in Russia: Irkutsk; Moscow; Yaroslavl F/S/Y All courses taught in Russian, by host-university instructors. Direct enrollment for advanced students. Language pledge. Homestays. 4 semesters college-level Russian required.
Spain    
BCA, Barcelona (F)/S/Y Based at U. of Barcelona and BCA program center. All courses taught in Spanish. 4 semesters college-level Spanish required. Homestays.
IES, Granada F/S/Y For intermediate and advanced Spanish students, with courses at U. of Granada for advanced students. IES courses in Islamic heritage of Spain.
IES, Madrid (F)/S/Y All courses taught in Spanish. Enrollment option at U. Complutense de Madrid. Special curriculum for bilingual students. 4/5 semesters college-level Spanish required. Homestays, limited places in student apartments and residences.
IES, Salamanca (F)/S/Y Courses taught in Spanish by university faculty. Enrollment at U. de Salamanca. 4/5 semesters college-level Spanish required. Homestays; residence hall option for full-year students.
Sweet Briar College, Seville F/S/Y Courses taught in Spanish by U. de Sevilla professors; university enrollment option. 5 semesters college-level Spanish required. Homestays.
Sweden    
Swedish Program, Stockholm F/S/Y Comparative study of institutional organization and public policy. Courses include Swedish language (required), Women & Swedish Society, Swedish & European Film, Politics & Nationalism in Eastern Europe, and Environmental Policy.
United Kingdom    
BADA (British-American Drama Academy), London Theatre Program F/S Conservatory-style theater program; masterclasses with leading British actors. Production at end of term. Admission by audition.
University of Bristol (S)/Y Excellent mid-sized university in lively city: 13,000 students, over 40 academic departments. 3.2 GPA required for Arts and Social Sciences; 3.5 for Sciences.
University of Cambridge Y Top-ranked university on trimester system. Early deadline. Admission to one of many constituent colleges, mostly through IFSA-Butler.
University of East Anglia S/Y Newer campus outside small medieval city of Norwich. Semester system. Highly rated Creative Writing, ES.
University of Edinburgh F/S/Y Prestigious university in Scottish capital with large, diverse student population. Wide range of courses.
University of Glasgow (F)/S/Y In Scotland's lively largest city. Subject strengths include Computer Science, History, Theology. Semester programs available to extend regular trimester system.
Lancaster University  (F)/S/Y Newer university in NW England near Lake District. Subject strengths include Creative Writing, Ecology, Religion, Sociology. Pre-session course required in fall.
U. of London, Goldsmiths College S/Y Campus in working-class area of SE London, short train journey to city center. Famous for Visual Arts.
U. of London, King's College F/S/Y Central London location. Strong departments include Classics, History, War Studies, Health & Life Sciences. Full year preferred for housing.
U. of London, London School of Economics and Political Science Y Popular but selective General Course allows enrollment in any regular LSE class. Recommended for Economics majors, but many other strong departments in social sciences.
U. of London, School of Oriental & African Studies S/Y Highly regarded for study of Asia, Africa, and Near & Middle East. Two centrally located campuses.
U. of London, University College F/S/Y Third-oldest university in UK, centrally located in Bloomsbury. Strong Anthropology, Economics, History, Art History, Psychology. Includes Slade School of Fine Art.
Oxford University (S)/Y Prestigious and selective university. Early deadline. Trimester system; full year strongly recommended. Admission is to one of many constituent colleges, directly or through third-party provider.
Queen's University, Belfast F/S/Y Good university in rebounding city. Wide range of courses. Pre-session courses offered through Institute of Irish Studies.
University of St Andrews F/S/Y Fine university in beautiful small city on Scottish coast north of Edinburgh. Large international student body. Strong departments include Art History, Psychology, IR.
University of Sussex (F)/S/Y Newer university on south coast near Brighton, about an hour from London. Subject strengths include English, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology. Trimester system; Sussex in September program allows equivalent of full fall semester.
University of York S/Y Newer university in ancient cathedral city, beautiful northern England. Strong departments include Computer Science, English, History, Psychology.

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Middle East

   Consult OCS staff on special conditions and options in the Middle East.
Egypt   see under Africa
Israel    
Hebrew University of Jerusalem F/S/Y Courses in English at Rothberg International School, with Ulpan (Intensive Hebrew, required). Favored by Religion majors.
Jordan    
SIT, Jordan (Modernization & Social Change) F/S Field study program based in Amman. Intensive Arabic, independent study project. Homestay.

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Oceania

    
Australia    
Australian National University, Canberra F/S/Y Excellent university with resources of capital city. Relatively small study-abroad contingent simplifies housing and cultural adjustment.
James Cook University, Townsville F/S/Y Small city in Queensland. Well-reputed marine and tropical biology, with access to Great Barrier Reef.
University of Melbourne F/S/Y Very good university in culturally lively city. Popular with US students; housing tight.
SIT, Australia (Natural & Cultural Ecology) F/S Studies unique environment of Queensland from base in Cairns. Seminar, field study, independent study project. Requires Biology or ES background.
University of Sydney F/S/Y Very good university in large city. Hard to obtain housing apart from US students.
University of Tasmania, Hobart F/S/Y Attractive for students who prefer small city and island location, with environmental interests. Very strong Visual Arts.
New Zealand    
University of Auckland F/S/Y Top-ranked university of 40,000 students in cosmopolitan city on North Island.
University of Otago, Dunedin F/S/Y Small city in beautiful part of South Island. Strengths include biology, geology, anthropology. Smaller Maori presence than on North Island.

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Central and South America; Caribbean

    
Argentina    
COPA, Buenos Aires F/S/Y Courses at four Buenos Aires universities. Homestays. 2 years college-level Spanish required.
COPA, Mendoza F/S/Y Based at U. Nacional de Cuyo in smaller city of Mendoza. Strong offerings in arts and humanities. Courses taught in Spanish by Argentine professors. Homestays. 2 years college-level Spanish required.
IES, Buenos Aires F/S/Y Courses at IES center in Spanish and English; Advanced program in Spanish only; intensive language for intermediate level. Enrollment at two Buenos Aires universities for advanced students. Homestays.
Chile    
COPA, Chilean Universities Program F/S/Y Enrollment in universities in Santiago or Valparaíso. Homestay. 4 semesters Spanish required.
SIT, Chile (Culture, Development, & Social Justice) F/S Based in Valparaíso. Seminar, Field Study, Intensive Spanish, Indep. Study Project. Homestay. 3 semesters college-level Spanish required.
Middlebury in Chile F/S/Y University enrollment for students with advanced Spanish: U. de Chile and Pontificia U. Católica de Chile (Santiago); U. Austral de Chile (Valdivia); U. de Concepción; U. de Valparaíso. Housing in private homes, student residences.
Costa Rica    
Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica F/S Reputable semester program in tropical biology. 2 semesters college-level Spanish required.
Ecuador    
Duke in the Andes F/S/Y Based in Quito. Latin American and Andean studies. Students take core seminar on pluricultural nation states, and choose three regular courses from three host universities. Homestays. 2 years college-level Spanish required.
SIT, Ecuador (Comparative Ecology and Conservation) F/S Based in Quito, with visit to Galápagos. Seminar, Field Study, Intensive Spanish, Independent Study Project. Homestays. 4 semesters college-level Spanish and background in Biology or ES required.
Mexico    
Augsburg CGE, Mexico F/S Based in Cuernavaca. "Gender, and Social Change in Mesoamerica," fall; "Social Justice, Gender, and the Environment in Latin America," spring. Trips to El Salvador (fall), Guatemala (spring). Homestays. 1 year college-level Spanish required.
COPA, Mérida F/S At renowned U. Autónoma de Yucatán, near outstanding archaeological sites. Anthropology strong. All courses taught in Spanish. Homestays. 4 semesters college-level Spanish required.
SIT, Mexico (Grassroots Development and Social Change) F/S Based in Oaxaca. Seminar, Field Study, Intensive Spanish, Independent Study Project. Homestay. 3 semesters college-level Spanish required.

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USA

   (some programs include component abroad)
American University, Washington Semester F/S On A.U.'s Tenley campus in DC. American Politics, Economic Policy, Foreign Policy, International Environment & Development, Justice, Peace & Conflict Resolution, Public Law. Students nominated by Prof. J. Martin in Government.
Three Seas Program: East-West Marine Biology Y Three terms, at Northeastern U.'s Marine Science Center in Nahant, in French Polynesia, and on Catalina Island, CA.
Marine Biological Laboratory, Semester in Environmental Science, Woods Hole F At MBL's Ecosystems Center. Two core lecture and laboratory courses, Aquatic Ecosystems and Terrestrial Ecosystems, plus one of several electives. Independent team research projects.
SEA Semester, Woods Hole, MA F/S Maritime policy, history, literature, navigation, oceanography. Shore session in Woods Hole, sailing component in Atlantic or Pacific.
Twelve College Exchange:
Amherst, Connecticut, Dartmouth, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Trinity, Vassar, Wellesley, and Wheaton Colleges, and Wesleyan University		 F/S/Y Apply through OCS. Space limits at some colleges. Note Dartmouth trimester calendar. Strong departments include Engineering at Dartmouth, Women's Studies at all-women colleges.
Williams College-Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program F/S Interdisciplinary semester focused on the world's oceans with courses in history, marine sciences, environmental policy, and literature of the sea. Based in Mystic CT, with traditional sailing component. Part of Twelve College Exchange, but with its own application process.
National Theater Institute F/S At Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. Courses in acting, directing, playwriting, movement, voice, design. Part of Twelve College Exchange through Connecticut College, but with its own application process.

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