Policies and Procedures
You’re in! This Pre-Departure Page is your “one stop shop” for all the program-related information you will need to prepare for your program.
Check this page regularly! Information will be updated throughout the semester.
To stay on track, use the self-check at the end of each phase.
Your main point of contact is your Program Manager. You can find additional contacts such as on-site staff in the contact section.
———– START PHASE ONE ———–
Read the Chinese Student Visa Overview
It is your responsibility to read the following information thoroughly, to understand your options (or seek help if you need it), and to obtain your visa.
__
PROCESS OVERVIEW
To participate in this program, you will need to obtain a Student X2 visa from a Chinese Consulate. This visa allows you to study in China for up to six months. Please note: this is a single-entry visa, which means that once you arrive in China, you will not be able to travel outside of mainland China until the end of the program. You may not use any other kind of visa.
Applying for a Chinese visa is a time-sensitive process. You will not be eligible to apply for a visa until you have received acceptance letters from Fudan University; these letters should arrive in Boston in late November, early December.
You will have to apply for your visa after you receive your acceptance letters, and before you depart for the program. Get in touch with Megan DeBolt immediately if you foresee any timing issues (e.g. you will be out of the U.S. before you depart for Shanghai).
Although the BU Study Abroad staff in Boston can provide guidance for students and will visit the Chinese consulate on a student’s behalf, the visa application process is a Chinese government operation. Boston University can do little to help students who submit incorrect or late paperwork, and cannot guarantee that visas will be approved.
VISA TIMELINE
IMMEDIATELY: VERIFY THAT YOU HAVE A VALID PASSPORT.
You must submit a valid passport as part of your visa application. If your current passport will expire within six months of the program end date, you will need to renew your passport using expedited service before applying for your visa.
APPLY TO FUDAN UNIVERSITY BY OCTOBER 25th.
See the “Fudan Application” tab and BUSA Applicant Portal for instructions. You will need your acceptance letters from Fudan before you can apply for your visa.
BY LATE-NOVEMBER: RECIEVE FUDAN ACCEPTANCE LETTERS, AND APPLY FOR YOUR VISA.
You will receive an email with final information on how to submit your virtual Fudan application – along with a deadline. You can read more about the process in the Fudan Application tab below. You will need your two letters from Fudan before you can apply for your visa.
AROUND EARLY DECEMBER: RECEIVE FUDAN ACCEPTANCE LETTERS, AND APPLY FOR YOUR VISA.
A Chinese visa application must be made in person at a consulate, through an agency, or through BU. The process for each option is outlined in Phase 2, under the “Apply for Your Visa” tab.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Once you obtain your visa, you’ll notice that you are granted a single-entry visa into China. This means that you cannot leave mainland China and enter again during the duration of your visa.
Submit Your Fudan Application: Due OCT 25
You will receive an email from BU Study Abroad with a Fudan Application Guide. Use the information below to help guide you through the online application:
All materials below are due OCTOBER 25. This is a time-sensitive process and late submission of materials will impact your visa application.
To apply to Fudan University, you will need a passport valid 6 months past the end date of the program (valid through December 2025). If you do not have a passport, or if your passport is not valid for six months after the program ends, apply for one immediately and let your program manager know. Expedited service is recommended.
Components of the online Fudan Application:
- Completed Fudan application. Follow the Fudan Application Guide for guidance as you complete the online application.
- There is a FAQ and helpful tips in the Fudan Application Guide.
- An ID photo
- (1) A recent bareheaded and full-faced photo in color;
- (2) Photo format: JPG. Size: 0-200kb; Pixels higher than 295 x 413
- (3) The background should be either white or blue.
- (4) Informal photo, such as black and white photo, artistic photo, and selfie, is not accepted
- A copy of the photo/signature pages of your passport, valid for at least six months after application.
- Transcript
- Resume
- Statement of purpose (brief overview of why you want to study at Fudan, no more than 1 page)
WHAT’S NEXT?
Fudan University will process BU students’ applications, and will then issue each student two letters that are required in order to apply for a Chinese visa:
- Admissions Notice
- DQ Form
The Admissions Notice will be issued in hard copy from Fudan and mailed to Boston. The DQ form will be accessed and downloaded online by each individual student; we will prepare a guide on how to download the DQ form once it’s issued by Fudan.
Students who would like BU to obtain the visa on their behalf will need to sign and return these forms to BU Study Abroad with their visa application materials. Students who plan to apply for their Chinese visas on their own will keep these forms for the Chinese visa application process.
If mailing Fudan letters/ visa materials, send to:
Attn: Shanghai Program Manager
C/O Megan DeBolt
Boston University Study Abroad
888 Commonwealth Ave., 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02215
Submit Your Housing Questionnaire: Due in Applicant Portal
Housing in Shanghai:
Students on the Shanghai program live in dormitory style housing with the following amenities:
- Double or Single room with private bath, mini fridge, and washer in room
- Shared kitchen and dryer in the building
- Board is not included; no stipend is provided so you will be responsible for your own meals
- Students can eat at Fudan’s dining hall at an additional cost
- Each unit has Ethernet connections (Wi-Fi routers provided as well); AC/heater unit
- Gym available in the facility and also at Fudan University
Please complete the Housing Questionnaire in your Applicant Portal by OCT 20 in order to be assigned housing on site.
If you have any questions or concerns about housing, please contact Director Kevin Wang.
Apply for your Chinese Student (X2) Visa: Due Mid-December
PLEASE REVIEW THE PROCESS BY RE-READING THE “VISA OVERVIEW.”
NEXT, DECIDE HOW YOU WILL OBTAIN YOUR STUDENT X2 VISA.
EVERYONE:
You will need to fill out avisa application form. The form is now completed through the COVA form system. You will have to select where you plan to apply for your visa (North America), then select the consulate you plan to apply at. A sample form will be found below according to which method you choose to use to obtain your visa.
OPTION 1: APPLY ON YOUR OWN.
You can apply in person at a Chinese consulate. Remember, you will not be able to do so until your Fudan acceptance letter arrives in Boston and is sent to you. There is a Chinese embassy or consulate in the following US cities: New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Students can also apply for visas at any Chinese embassy or consulate worldwide.
To apply on your own, follow the Guidelines and sample form.
OPTION 2:SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO BU STUDY ABROAD – All Materials DUE DEC. 15th
Please Note: This option depends on number of students that request this service. More information will be sent by email at a later date.
A BU Study Abroad representative will collect your visa application items. Choosing this option means you will select the New York consulate for your COVA form system application. You will need to turn your actual passport into BU during this time, along with the other application materials. This means that you will need to be able to be without your passport from approximately Mid-December to Mid-January. Your passport/visa will be sent back to you via FedEx before the program starts.
To apply through BU Study Abroad, follow these Guidelines and use this sample form. All materials are due December 15th.
You can either mail or drop off your application materials to:
Boston University Study Abroad
C/O Megan DeBolt, Program Manager
888 Commonwealth Ave, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02215
If you come in person to drop-off your materials, you can come to the BU Study Abroad Office (888 Commonwealth Ave, 2nd Floor, Boston MA 02215). Please use the Drummer Street entrance, you will leave your materials with the Study Abroad front desk.
OPTION 3: APPLY THROUGH AN AGENCY.
For an additional fee, you can have a visa agency (such as A. Briggs) apply on your behalf. Usually they can get you a visa within about 2 weeks from the time they receive your materials; refer to the website of your chosen agency for detailed application instructions, pricing and timing. Keep in mind:
- You must obtain a Student X2 visa
- Use the sample from when filling out your visa application form
- You cannot apply for a visa until you have your Fudan acceptance letters
Note: This information has been prepared by Boston University Study Abroad based on the most recent information provided by the relevant immigration agency (E.G. consulate, embassy, etc.). It is each student’s responsibility to compile and apply for their visa based on their specific citizenship. Visas are granted by foreign governments only, Boston University does not play a role in visa issuance, nor can we influence immigration policy. While we do our best to keep instructions as up to date as possible, visa requirements are subject to change without our knowledge. Ultimately obtaining a visa in a timely manner, and related costs incurred, are a student’s responsibility. Failure to acquire a visa will preclude participation in the program.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE VISA PROCESS, E-MAIL YOUR PROGRAM MANAGER FOR FURTHER GUIDANCE.
Complete Your Course Selection Form: Due in Applicant Portal
Courses in Shanghai
Elective courses are taught at Fudan University’s School of Social Development and Public Policy (SSDPP) by Fudan professors. You can find elective course descriptions on your respective BU Shanghai program page under ‘curriculum’ then ‘electives.’
You will officially choose your elective courses during the first couple of weeks in Shanghai. Once you arrive, there will be an informal “add/drop period” during which you’ll have time to sit in on multiple classes and decide which ones to enroll in.
Please complete the required language course selection form in your Applicant Portal by Oct 20.
Although you already submitted an Advisor Form as part of your application, you may adjust your course enrollment plans as you learn more about your program. Be sure to do so in consultation with your academic advisor (or your home institution’s study abroad office, if you are a visiting student), especially if your courses were pre-approved. You should determine, preferably prior to the start of the program, the precise degree requirements these courses will fulfill. It is your responsibility to research how the courses taken abroad apply towards your overall academic requirements and progress toward your degree. Non-BU students should be certain you understand how courses you take with BU Study Abroad will transfer to your home institution.
Please note your courses will not appear on your BU transcript until after the program has ended and grades are reported.
Submit Your Internship Questionnaire: In Applicant Portal
Internship Program Students Only:
- Fill out your Internship Questionnaire in your Applicant Portal.
- Chinese Resume: Follow these instructions. You will need to upload your Chinese resume as part of the Internship Questionnaire.
To place you into the organization or firm that will host your internship, the BU Shanghai Center works with a company called CRCC Asia that specializes in internship placements in China. CRCC Asia has a wealth of contacts and opportunities in all fields, so you’ll be placed in an internship that is personally customized for you. BU Shanghai and CRCC Asia work as a team to make sure that you’re matched with an organization that suits your skills, previous experience, Chinese language level, and professional goals.
Chinese regulations and the availability of opportunities in Chinese society also affect the possibilities of where you’ll be interning, so it’s crucial that you be flexible. Interning in China is quite different compared to that in the U.S. or other western or developed countries, but it’s these differences that are likely to make your experience so valuable.
THE BASIC PROCESS:
Six to eight weeks before you leave the U.S., you will have a conversation by Skype or phone with the U.S. manager for CRCC Asia about your internship. This conversation will last about 30 minutes, and CRCC Asia will want to learn about your skills and goals for your internship. The representative will already know something about you from your study abroad application materials. The purpose of the call with CRCC Asia is to gather additional information that will help place you in the best possible internship, customized for your qualifications and needs. If you weren’t clear about the what kind of internship you wanted in your application materials, please think more deeply about what you’d like to gain from your internship before this placement conversation. Speaking with the CRCC Asia manager is your chance to make sure that you get as close as possible to the internship experience you want, by being able to tell them the types of things you’d like to do and learn while in Shanghai.
After this personal conversation with CRCC Asia, the process of making the actual match for your internship moves to Shanghai. The CRCC team in Shanghai will find the specific organization or company where you will intern. A few employers might require a Skype interview but most will not. Most of you will then wait for the details about your internship. You’ll receive this news shortly before you leave the U.S. or soon after you arrive in Shanghai.
Complete the Phase 1 Self Check
Have you completed everything in Phase 1? Here is a self-check to make sure you’re on the right track. Make sure you’re aware of any upcoming deadlines and budgeting enough time to complete them on-time. If you missed a deadline, be sure to check in with your Program Manager and complete that task right away.
You should have completed:
- Confirmed your participation via your BU Study Abroad Application and filled out the accompanying online forms.
- Submitted Fudan Application – OCT 25
- Submitted Visa Application – Early December (Independent) OR Materials Due DEC 15 (Group Process)
- Submitted the Housing Questionnaire – OCT 20 (in Applicant Portal)
- Submitted the Language Course Selection Form – OCT 20 (in Applicant Portal)
- Submitted the Internship Questionnaire – OCT 20 (in Applicant Portal)
———– END PHASE ONE ———–
———– START PHASE TWO ———–
Pre-Departure Meeting: DEC 7
PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING
A required pre-departure meeting for all students will take place in-person on Saturday, December 7th. Participation details, including the schedule and location, will be emailed by your Program Manager. This orientation will include important information to prepare you for your semester abroad and will also give you time and space to meet the other students studying in your program. Students who are not in the Boston area will be able to join via Zoom, please let your Program Manager know if you will need the Zoom link for this reason. A Zoom link will be shared via email prior to the pre-departure meeting to those who do not attend BU.
All students are required to participate. This meeting is intended to give you an overview of daily life, culture, health and safety, and academics on your program. You will also have the opportunity to ask your Program Manager any questions about what to expect as you prepare for your time abroad.
For those students that are unable to make the specified time, please email your Program Manager.
Please also note that this meeting is intended for participants of the program only. Due to FERPA (Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act), parents/guardians are not permitted to attend this session. We do, however, encourage you to share relevant information about the program with your parents, as we understand that they may be curious about what to expect from your experience abroad.
Review Flight and Arrival Info and Book Your Flight: DEC 15
Flight Information
Each semester, we work with Advantage Travel to offer an optional recommended flight, round-trip to Shanghai. The cost of the recommended flight is not included in the program fee. Students are not required to take the recommended flight; however, all students are required to submit a round-trip itinerary for our records. Keep in mind that late arrivals and early departures are not permitted. You will be receiving an email from your Program Manager with the flight details once confirmed.
WHY SHOULD I BOOK A SPOT ON THE GROUP FLIGHT?
Each semester, we work with Advantage Travel to offer an optional flight, round-trip from the East Coast to Shanghai. Although airfare is not included in the cost of the program, all travel booked through Advantage Travel will be monitored by the travel agency on the day of departure, and they will be able to assist with any schedule changes, delays, or missed connections. The flight also sometimes allows you to travel with other students from the program.
HOW DO I RESERVE A SEAT ON THE GROUP FLIGHT?
Specific booking instructions will be emailed directly to students by your Program Manager.
WHAT IF I NEED TO BOOK A CONNECTING FLIGHT TO THE DEPARTURE CITY?
If you will be traveling from elsewhere prior to the group flight, Advantage Travel can also assist you with reserving a flight to the departure city.
IS TRAVEL INSURANCE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE GROUP FLIGHT?
While BU Study Abroad provides all students with comprehensive international health insurance, travel insurance for your flights is different. You can elect to purchase travel insurance directly through Advantage Travel when booking with them, for an additional fee.
WHAT IF I WANT TO ARRANGE MY OWN TRAVEL?
We encourage you to hold off on booking flights until we send out detailed flight information for your program. We recommend that you make your flight reservation on the University-organized flight.
However, if you prefer to travel independently from the group, you are welcome to do so. Advantage Travel can assist you with reservations from a different airport or on different dates, or you can make a reservation completely on your own. You must arrive on February 9 and depart on May 30.
Housing will not be provided before or after these dates, and late arrivals/early departures are not permitted. Once you have confirmed your independent travel, you must submit the independent flight form by December 1.
ARRIVALINFORMATION
If more than 5 students take the group flight, they will be met by on-site staff upon arrival and transportation will be provided to the residence. If you make travel arrangements independent of the group, you should try to arrive at the same time as the group flight (or prior to it), so that you can meet the group at the airport and take the group transportation.
If you will be traveling independently and will be arriving after the group flight, you will be responsible for securing your own transportation to the residence. Instructions for commuting to the city center by taxi and other forms of public transportation will be sent to you by the Shanghai Director a few weeks before program departure.
Health Preparations for China
PREPARING TO LIVE IN CHINA:
Before going to China, you may want to get the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis, and a tetanus shot. Of course, you must check with your doctor to determine what vaccinations are appropriate for you, depending on your health and immunization history. To find the most up to date vaccination recommendations, please visit the Health Information for Travelers to China section of the CDC’s website.
If you are in Boston, you may contact the Boston Medical Center Travel Clinic, the Travel Clinic at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center or the Travel Clinic at MGH. Please visit the CDC website for general recommended actions.
While there are no specific health requirements for entering China, there are some steps you may choose to take (specific inoculations, preparing for an increase in air pollution, etc.). This will vary for each student, and, again, we encourage you to explore the CDC’s travel recommendations for China (and anywhere else you plan to visit while abroad).
MEDICATIONS AND PRESCRIPTIONS:
MAKE A PLAN TO ACCESS YOUR MEDICATIONS ABROAD:
- Talk to your doctor
- Make a copy of your prescriptions and keep them with your packed medications
- If allowable, obtain a supply for the full semester
- If you cannot obtain a full supply of medication, get a letter from your doctor explaining your medication (dosage, generic name, etc.) and you will make an appointment in Shanghai to get a new prescription
- Do not plan to ship medicine abroad
Complete the Phase 2 Self Check
Have you completed everything in Phases 1 and 2? Here is a self-check to make sure you’re on the right track. Make sure you’re keeping track of any upcoming deadlines and budgeting enough time to complete them on-time. If you missed a deadline, be sure to check in with you Program Manager and complete that task right away.
You should have completed:
(From Phase 1)
- Confirmed your participation via your BU Study Abroad Application and filled out the accompanying online forms.
- Submitted Fudan Application – OCT TBA
- Submitted the Housing Questionnaire – OCT 20
- Submitted the Language Course Selection Form – OCT 20
- Submitted the Internship Questionnaire – OCT 20
(From Phase 2)
- Attend Pre-departure Meeting- Dec 7
- Booked a seat on the group flight (optional) – Dec 1
- Applied for your visa – DEC TBA
- Made any necessary doctors appointments and located your nearest travel clinic for immunizations.
———– END PHASE TWO ———–
———– START PHASE THREE ———–
Banking Abroad
While in Shanghai, you will not need to open a bank account. You can use a debit card with a 4-digit PIN to withdraw cash from ATMs. (We recommend bringing a second back-up credit card, also with a 4-digit PIN, in case you lose your debit card.) While China used to have a cash-based culture, it is going cashless nowadays with the popularity of e-payment. Site staff will share details on setting up your Alipay and WeChat Pay via email. However, you can still use cash for daily purchases and use a credit card for larger purchases, such as online and travel-related purchases.
It’s essential that you call your bank and credit card companies to let them know you’ll be studying abroad. You’ll need to tell them what country (or countries) you’ll be visiting, and the dates you’ll be away. If you don’t let them know, they may freeze your accounts, assuming your card has been used fraudulently. When you call your bank, you should ask them about the fees you may incur when using your debit/credit cards internationally.
Mobile Phones & Internet Access
Make sure your phone is unlocked. Site staff will assist you with getting a local Chinese SIM card either on arrival day or during orientation; you can then use the local monthly plan that includes both data and voice calls. You are also required to have a local number for internship and emergency purposes. US-based international mobile phone plans are more expensive and often don’t work, so skip them.
Be prepared for a very different, and often difficult internet experience in China. Mentally prepare yourself for these problems with blocked sites and for speeds much, much slower than you’re used to, as well as connections to get broken off so that you need to reconnect.
Wireless internet is available at the residence hall, and on campus. If you only used Chinese websites while in China, you wouldn’t experience many problems. But Gmail and other popular websites are currently blocked in China. The way to get around some of this is to use a “virtual private network” or VPN. All universities offer VPN service, so that people can easily work off campus. Download your university or BU’s VPN service onto your computer and phone (if bringing one). It will make your life easier if you arrive with this VPN installed and know how to use it so that you’re set to access the internet as soon as you arrive. If your university VPN doesn’t work well in China, you can buy a private VPN service for ~$10 a month.
Before you leave, be sure to download the WeChat app. It is an extremely popular way to communicate while you’re in China and you’ll want to use it, or may even find it necessary to do so because of your internship. Not only will you communicate with people in China with this app, but you can even use it to call home for free (so ask your friends and family to install it as well). You’ll be better off arriving in Shanghai already accustomed to using it and ready to go. If you get family and friends to also use it, it’ll be one of the easiest ways to keep in touch with people around the world while you’re here in China.
Packing List and Tips
PACKING LIST
IN CARRY-ON:
- Passport and original forms from Fudan(Admission Notice and DQ form) + copies
- Flight ticket/flight information + Return flight information
- Student ID card
- Address of the dorms
- Cell number of the BU Shanghai Director
- Any prescription medication necessary for the first week + any prescriptions, with generic name of the drug
- At least $100 in local currency
- Health insurance information
- Laptop, if you have one
- Flash drive
IN CHECKED BAG:
- Ample supply of prescription medications in original packaging + prescriptions + generic drug names
- Bath towels (bedding and all other linens are provided, or can be bought there in Shanghai)
- Appropriate clothing
- Toiletries for the initial week
- Travel Adapter Kit (although cheap ones can be bought in Shanghai)
- Any special camera batteries/accessories
- Small sewing kit
- City bag or backpack
- Swiss army knife
- Umbrella
- Gifts to give to Chinese friends and co-workers
- Travel guide for host country
- Secure locks for your baggage
DO NOT BRING:
- Do not bring hairdryers, straighteners/curlers and small electrical items (US products fuse the electrical circuits and blow up: DO NOT BRING THEM)
- Many school supplies
- Valuables that are not necessary for your daily life
GIFT SUGGESTIONS:
- Boston University accessories
- Local or American food products that travel well (maple syrup, local specialty items, hot sauce, etc.)
- Sports team items from your hometown
- American music (jazz, folk, pop, rock, etc.)
- Calendars/Coffee table books with US scenery, or from your hometown
- Local artisan crafts (pottery, textiles, etc.)
- Posters of something American
- American collectible state quarter coins
LUGGAGE:
- Use bags that are light and sturdy – one large, one carry on, one shoulder bag or backpack
- Pack only what you can carry yourself
- Check airline restrictions on weight and number of bags you can take aboard, overage fees may apply
- Do not plan on shipping items abroad
Withdrawals: Deadline JAN 31
Have You Changed Your Mind?
If you are considering withdrawing from your Study Abroad program, please thoroughly review the Boston University Study Abroad Policy on Refunds. Please keep in mind that at any time after your admission to the program there may be non-recoverable costs associated with withdrawing from the program. Examples of non-recoverable costs for which you may be financially responsible may include, but are not limited to, charges related to housing, visas, flights, academics, internships, or program-related activities.
It is important to note that the program starts on February 9 and is more than 12 weeks long. The last day to notify our office in writing of your withdrawal prior to being responsible for a portion of the program fee is January 31.
Complete the Phase 3 Self Check
Have you completed everything in Phases 1, 2 and 3? Here is a self-check to make sure you’re on the right track. Make sure you’re keeping track of any upcoming deadlines and budgeting enough time to complete them on-time. If you missed a deadline, be sure to check in with you Program Manager and complete that task right away. Please contact your Program Manager if you decide to withdraw or have additional questions.
You should have completed:
(From Phase 1)
- Confirmed your participation via your BU Study Abroad Application and filled out the accompanying online forms.
- Submitted Fudan Application – OCT TBA
- Submitted the Housing Questionnaire – OCT 20
- Submitted the Language Course Selection Form – OCT 20
- Submitted the Internship Questionnaire – OCT 20
(From Phase 2)
- Attend Pre-departure Meeting- DEC 7
- Booked a seat on the group flight (optional) – November
- Applied for your visa – DEC TBA
- Independent Flight Form – DEC 1
- Made any necessary doctors appointments and located your nearest travel clinic for immunizations.
- Contacted BU Disability Services to plan for academic accommodations and other support services (if necessary)
(From Phase 3)
- Called your bank and credit card companies to let them know you’ll be studying abroad.
- Decided what your plan is for a mobile phone number abroad.
- Made a reasonable communication plan with your family and friends
- Settled your Boston University Student Account – Billing Deadline
- Reviewed your packing list and purchased any essentials
- Read your “In-Country Guide”
———– END PHASE THREE ———–
———– START CONTACT ———–
PROGRAM CONTACTS
As you prepare for and embark on your study abroad experience, you will be in contact with various staff members from BU Study Abroad, both in Boston and abroad. To avoid missing important information, please add “@bu.edu” to your address book. Please keep all emails in a folder for your reference as you prepare for your semester abroad. Here are the names and email addresses of some people who will be in touch with you this semester, and/or whom you may want to contact with questions.
BOSTON-BASED STAFF
- Megan DeBolt, Program Manager
Megan will be your primary contact during the pre-departure process.
SHANGHAI-BASED STAFF
- Kevin Wang, Shanghai Program Director
Mr. Wang will be in touch with you with information about your semester in Shanghai, and is a good resource if you have questions about life in Shanghai and the program. Questions on the pre-departure process, visas, etc. should go to your Program Manager. - You will meet the rest of the Shanghai staff upon arrival, but you can read more about them on the BU Shanghai Staff page of the Shanghai website.
———– END CONTACT ———–
———– START CALENDAR ———–
The spring 2025 Shanghai program will run from February 9 (Depart the US February 8) – May 30, 2025.
Tentative Academic Calendar
February 9: Program Begins/Arrival Day
May 30: Program Ends/Departure Day
Neither late arrivals nor early departures are permitted. We urge students to not make any weekend or mid-semester break travel plans until they arrive on site and receive the finalized course and program schedule. During the semester, students must fulfill strict attendance requirements and will be very busy with classes, program activities, and assignments. If family and friends plan to visit, please schedule trips to take place before the start of on-site orientation, during a scheduled program break, or after the semester ends. The first and last weeks of the program are critical to students’ success and require your full attention. By timing visits to coincide with scheduled program breaks, you can meet attendance requirements and take full advantage of your study abroad experience.
———– END CALENDAR ———–
———– START GUIDE ———–
1. Get To Know Shanghai
History, Geography and Politics
HAVE A LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING SITES TO GAIN A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF CHINA’S HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, POLITICS AND CURRENT EVENTS:
- BBC Country Profile
- CIA World Factbook
- Wikipedia
- NY Times
- Go to the NY Times webpage, or another newspaper, and under Member Services, sign up for “My Alerts” on the topic of China. Every day afterwards, you’ll receive an e-mail notice listing the paper’s published articles concerning China. This may be the best way to stay on top of the American news about China
- And of course the BU Shanghai site itself!
Thorough preparation before you leave the United States will reward you with a smoother transition to your new home :)
Take the necessary time to inform yourself about China, arrive with a positive attitude and acquire the informational tools that will get you off on the right foot!
MENTAL PREPARATION:
Get into a good frame of mind in anticipation of your arrival in Shanghai. The pace of everyday life and concepts of time are different. Since you will be in a developing country, prepare yourself for the fact that conveniences you enjoy at home may not be available to you. The standard of living in China is much lower than in the US, yet Shanghai is one of the country’s most modernized cities. You are likely to experience emotional ups and downs, particularly at the beginning of your time in Shanghai. Adjusting to so many changes at once can be both physically and mentally tiring! Elation and excitement are as common as homesickness and feelings of disorientation. The BU Study Abroad Shanghai staff is there to help you get through any adjustment difficulties.
CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT:
When you go abroad to study, you experience differences in beliefs, laws, values, language, customs, social and political organization, etc. All of these elements will make your time in China a rich and unique experience. However, after days or weeks of excitement, you may feel overwhelmed by the strangeness of your new environment in comparison to the cultural norms you are used to at home. Most students experience some form of culture shock when living in a new country. China’s political, social, and cultural differences can cause you to feel thrilled, confused, captivated, and frustrated all at the same time. Remember that these feelings are perfectly normal and happen to most students who study abroad. Acknowledge this process, always take care of your health, and give yourself time to reflect and adjust.
Be patient with yourself as you learn about a new culture. Try to make friends with local students and spend time with them to practice Chinese, learn to play majiang or a Chinese instrument, or simply chatting. Getting involved with Fudan University students and understanding local customs will help you to feel like part of the culture and adjust to your new environment more easily. Get involved and keep yourself busy doing things you enjoy: join a sports team; go away for a weekend or day; go to movies, concerts, museums, or shopping centers. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you came to learn and enjoy your experience in China.
The more knowledge you have about Chinese culture, history, contemporary issues, and customs, the sooner you will feel like you belong there and the more you will enjoy yourself. Avoid being judgmental and stereotyping, be courageous, and keep a sense of humor. Chinese people can be as perplexed and amazed by you as you are by them. (You will have to get used to people staring at you!) At the same time, Americans and Chinese usually find huge common ground. A deep reservoir of warmth and hospitality is waiting for you in China.
Local news, readings and culture
RECOMMENDED READING
Get acquainted with your new host city before leaving the United States. Keep up with current events by reading articles about China in newspapers, magazines, and journals.
GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPERS
- China Daily
- Shanghai Daily
- People’s Daily
- Far Eastern Economic Review
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
- The Search for Modern China by Jonathan Spence. The most popular basic introduction or textbook to modern Chinese history. ISBN: 978-0393973518.
- The Chinese Economy: Transitions and Growth by Barry Naughton. Great text if your interests are primarily in economics or business. ISBN-13: 978-0262640640.
- Revolution and Its Past by R. Keith Schoppa. Another popular textbook that will introduce you to China. ISBN: 978-0131930391.
- Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics: Entrepreneurship and the State by Yasheng Huang. ISBN: 978- 0521898102.
- Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China’s Past and Present by Peter Hessler. His first book, River Town, about teaching English in a Sichuan high school, is also very good. ISBN: 0060826584.
- Shanghai Splendor: Economic Sentiments and the Making of Modern China by Wen-hsin Yeh. ISBN: 978- 0520249714.
- The Dragon’s Village: An Autobiographical Novel of Revolutionary China by Yuan-Tsung Chen. A 17-year-old woman from Shanghai sets out for the countryside to take part in land reform. ISBN: 978-014005811.
- The Spiral Road: Change in a Chinese Village by Huang, Shu-min. Through a village cadre’s eyes, we see the changes in rural China from the 1960s through 1990s. ISBN: 978-0813334479 2 Boston University Study Abroad Shanghai
- Beyond the Neon Lights: Everyday Shanghai in the Early 20th Century by Hanchao Lu. For a glimpse of city life in the Shanghai past that’s rapidly disappearing. ISBN: 978- 0520243781
- Factory Girls by Leslie T. Chang. A look into the everyday lives of the migrant factory population in China. ISBN : 978-0385520188
- The River Runs Black: The Environmental Challenge To China’s Future by Elizabeth Economy. For those interested in the environment and economics. ISBN: 978- 0801489785
- Born Red: A Chronicle of the Cultural Revolution by Gao, Yuan. Great memoir of growing up during the Cultural Revolution. ISBN: 978-0804713696.
- Blood Red Sunset: A Memoir of the Chinese Cultural Revolution by Ma Bo. Another great Cultural Revolution memoir. ISBN: 978-0140159424.
Fiction - Brothers by Yu Hua
- Beijing Coma by Ma Jian. His first book, Red Dust, is also great.
- Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong. A Detective Chen mystery, set in Shanghai in the 1990s.
- Balzac and the Little Seamstress by Dai Sijie
- War Trash by Ha Jin
- Red Sorghum by Mo Yan
- Family by Ba Jin
- The Classics: Dream of the Red Chamber, Monkey, The Scholars, Three Kingdoms, Water Margin.*
RECOMMENDED FILMS
- To Live (1994, Zhang Yimou)
- Blind Shaft (2003) Gritty crime drama.
- Story of Qiu Ju (1992, Zhang Yimou)
- If You Are the One (2008 Feng Xioagang)
- The Shower (1999) Comedy
- Beijing Bicycle (2001) Classic coming of age; class tensions
- Hero (2002, Zhang Yimou) Going to see the Terracotta Soldiers in Xi’an
- Quitting (2001) Subculture, youth, tradition v. conformity.
- Yellow Earth (Chen Kaige, 1984) Groundbreaking in its day; the first of the “5th Generation” post-Cultural Revolution films to make a splash.
- The Emperor’s Shadow (1996) Historical drama about the First Emperor of China
- Farewell My Concubine (Chen Kaige, 1993)
- Shaolin Soccer, Kungfu Hustle. Steven Chow movies forfun.
- Drunken Master (1) and Legend of Drunken Master (2), Police Story, etc. By and starring Jackie Chan. Everyone interested in China and film must know Jackie Chan in his glory days.
- Flowers of Shanghai (Hou Hsiao-hsien, 1998) Slow and hard to follow but a great depiction of Qing literati-official and courtesan life
- The Last Emperor (1987, Bertolucci, Best Picture Oscar): filmed in the imperial Forbidden City. Wonderful recreation of the fall of the Qing from inside the palace
2. Daily Life
Food & Dining
FOOD
You have the choice to eat meals on campus or buy meals off campus as you please. You may also cook in your apartment suite kitchen. You can purchase meals in the campus dining halls, which serve Chinese food including a mix of meat, vegetable, tofu, soup and seafood. The food on campus is relatively cheap and good. The food vendors at Fudan only accept meal cards, which will be available to you once you’re registered on campus. In the neighborhood around campus and Tonghe there are many Chinese eateries that cater to the student budget. You can also find pizza, sandwiches, and Mexican food off campus. McDonald’s, KFC, and Pizza Hut even deliver here in Shanghai. There are also foreign/western restaurants in the campus neighborhood and all around the city, but always remember that the food you eat is cooked and cleaned properly. All fresh fruits or vegetables should be peeled or thoroughly washed before you eat them.
Housing
You will live in single rooms in the Unijia International Students Community
No 2628 Songhuajiang Road, Hongkou Dist. Shanghai, China 200080
- Single room with private bath
- Shared kitchen and laundry facility in the building
- Board is not included; no stipend is provided
- Students can eat at Fudan’s dining hall at an additional cost
- Each unit has Ethernet connections (wifi routers provided as well); AC/heater unit
- Gym available in the facility and also at Fudan University
3. Student Life
Facilities
FUDAN UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1905, is one of China’s leading universities. The word “Fudan” (复旦) literally means “heavenly light shines day after day,” and the name implies inexhaustible self-reliance and industriousness. Fudan confers bachelor’s degrees in 70 academic disciplines and graduate degrees in 225 fields. The university has an enrollment of almost 27,000 full-time degree candidates; another 20,000 studying part-time; and the second-largest foreign student population in China—some 2,800 students from around the world. Fudan boasts a highly qualified faculty of over 2,400 full-time professors and researchers.
Fudan University Library is comprised of the Liberal Arts Library, the Science Library, and the Medical Library. It has a wide collection of more than 4.5 million volumes, including books, journals, bound volumes of newspapers, and audiovisual materials. Of these, 400,000 are thread-bound books of Chinese classics and nearly 1.4 million are foreign books. There are also 32,000 Chinese and foreign journals and periodicals. Hours vary from section to section, generally from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a few sections open on the weekends. The library is excellent for research needs but very crowded with students studying. You probably will prefer to study at your apartment complex or a café rather than in the campus libraries.
Sports facilities on the Fudan campus are open to all faculty and students on campus at scheduled times. However, they primarily serve for physical education and the training of school athletes. There are also courts and fields for soccer, basketball, ping pong, and other sports on campus, and showing up to play on these fields is a great way to meet Chinese students. Many students in our program who like to work out prefer to join a local gym for better access to weight machines, treadmills, and classes in aerobics, yoga, etc.
Textbooks
Textbooks for your courses will be made available to you in China for purchase. If you are interested in any books that might be useful to your courses, you should purchase them in the US through any website that you prefer, such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You can find some English language academic books and novels in Shanghai bookstores but the selection is not large. The Boston University Shanghai Center has its own small library that will supplement your reading needs quite well (and film needs too!).
Field Trips and Program Activities
HAVE A LOOK AT THE BU SHANGHAI WEB PAGE HERE FOR INFORMATION REGARDING EDUCATIONAL EXCURSIONS.
Internships
ACADEMIC COMPONENT
- Internship portfolio consisting of weekly reports, field research, and analysis
- Participation in a weekly seminar meeting
- A supervisor’s evaluation
EXPECTATIONS AND PLACEMENT
- CRCC individually matches each intern. Carefully matched based on qualifications and interest.
- No “shopping” for internships; you have one option.
- CRCC will communicate with you prior to arrival, so that’s the time to discuss your concerns.
WHAT CAN AN ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP OFFER?
- Can provide professional experience and practice
- Can offer exposure to different management styles and organizational structures
- Can help build your professional network
- Can enhance cultural awareness and language skills
- Can help you hone problem-solving skills
- Can make you become more adaptable as an employee
- Can help identify your skills, interests, and values to discover career paths that are (or are not) a good match
- Can integrate your practical learning with your academic work and field of study
- Can provide transferrable and valuable skills like perseverance and grit (especially if getting through tasks you don’t necessarily love)
WHAT AN ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP IS NOT:
- Not your dream job!
- Not the key to an automatic job offer
- Not specialized job training
- Not exciting and engaging 100% of the time
- Not necessarily a globally recognized company name
- Not the same experience as your friends
- Not optional – must complete full internship time; participation is mandatory
- Not all about you! Consider the needs of your company and think of it as a way to gain new skills or work habits
Academic Culture
COURSES
All Chinese language courses are taught in Chinese by instructors trained in teaching Chinese to foreign students. Our Chinese classes are designed to be compatible with those offered at Boston University. Nearly all students will take Chinese in small classes with other students in our BU program. Elective courses are taught in English by Fudan University faculty or lecturers hired by Boston University.
WHAT ARE THE CLASSES LIKE?
The Chinese teaching style is different from the American teaching style, and learning via new methods is part of the study abroad experience. Chinese students don’t generally interact with their professors as much or as equally as Americans do. However, the small class size in the BU program and courses designed specifically for BU students increases faculty-student interaction.
The professors at Fudan University are at the top of their field and are likely to have considerable experience working abroad and with foreign students. Some Chinese professors teaching in English will have accents that will require you to adjust your ear.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED AFTER YOUR ARRIVAL IN SHANGHAI BUT PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE FOLLOWING:
- Boston University’s academic policies and code of student responsibilities apply to your studies and activities in Shanghai. In addition, you must follow Fudan University regulations.
- Teachers are treated with greater respect in China than in the US and classroom decorum is important. For instance, leaving class early or arriving late is impolite.
- Class attendance is required for all courses, seminars, and field trips. Independent travel or hosting visitors are not valid excuses for missing classes.
4. Money Matters
Banking and Currency
BANKING/ ATM
You can exchange US dollars into RMB in most local banks in Shanghai. You must have your passport with you when you go to exchange money. SAVE ALL YOUR EXCHANGE RECEIPTS. You may need to present the exchange receipts if you want to change the currency back into dollars upon departure from China.
ATMs are available at all banks, shopping malls, hotels, and along most downtown streets. For many of you, using your American ATM card will be the easiest and cheapest way to access money from the US. Talk to your bank at home before you leave so that you understand the fees involved. You’ll probably be charged somewhere around $5 per ATM usage by your home American bank. Buying American Express Travelers Checks is another way to bring money over to China from home. There may be a fee to cash them at a Chinese bank, but you are protected against loss and theft.
NEVER deposit money into an ATM with an American or foreign card. If your card happens to be eaten by the ATM, you need to return to that exact branch of the bank with your ID (passport) the next day to get your card back.
CREDIT CARDS
American credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted at large restaurants and stores but you cannot depend on local or small businesses and stores to accept them. (They may accept Chinese versions of these cards but not foreign or American cards.) Local banks normally charge an additional 3-4 percent fee for cash advances against your card.
- Good to bring a backup credit card that allows you to make cash withdrawals
- You must have a 4-digit pin for your debit/credit cards
- Expect to use cash most often, except for large purchases
CURRENCY
China’s currency is called the renminbi, often represented by the initials RMB (also known as CNY). The official basic units are called yuan (also colloquially called the kuai) and jiao (colloquially called the mao). One yuan equals ten mao, like one dollar equals ten dimes. Paper bills come in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 (yuan). There are coins and sometimes paper bills for 1 and 5 mao.
The exchange rate as of August 2016 is: US dollar $1.00 = about 6.65 yuan RMB.
Tipping
Tipping is not required in Shanghai.
Shanghai On a Budget
PERSONAL SPENDING
- Students spend on average about $1600
- Be sure to budget for food and local transportation
- Budgeting tips from former students (coming soon!)
EXAMPLES OF DAILY COSTS IN SHANGHAI
- A simple Chinese meal around the campus: about 15 ¥
- A shared Chinese meal downtown at a restaurant: about 50-100 ¥ per person for a large meal of many different dishes.
- A regular western meal (sandwich/pasta/salad): about 75 ¥
- A large Starbucks cappuccino: 32 ¥
- A set meal in MacDonald or Burger King: about 30 ¥
- Subway fare: 3-8 ¥
- Taxi: fares start from 14¥ for the first few kilometers; it costs around 50 ¥ from Fudan to downtown
5. Traveling
Local Transportation
TRANSPORTATION
During a semester in Shanghai, the Shanghai “jiaotong” transit card can come in handy. You can put money on the card and use it for buses, the metro, and taxis. We will give you a card during orientation and show you how to use it.
METRO
The Shanghai Metro is one of the largest and busiest subway systems in the world. There are 14 lines and more than 300 stations, so you can travel throughout the city and surrounding suburbs with ease. Fares are typically between 50 US cents and $1.50, and the station closest to where you’ll be living is the Jiangwan Stadium stop on Line 10. The subway is fast, cheap and fairly easy to navigate with a bilingual Chinese-English system. Expect trains to be packed at rush hours. Recently, a ridership record was set at 8.5 million people in one day! You’ll be introduced to the subway system during orientation in Shanghai.
BUS
There are lots of bus stations and several stops near Fudan University.
TAXIS
Taxis in Shanghai are efficient and relatively cheap (only 14- 16 RMB, depending on the vehicle models, for the first 3 kilometers), but your destination must be written in Chinese as you’re not likely to find a driver who can communicate with you in English. Although drivers are generally honest, you should only use cabs with the meters and request the receipt. Don’t worry about leaving a tip. There is no tipping in China.
Personal Travel
In addition to the education excursions the Shanghai staff recommend these sites:
Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Orient” and “Paris of the Far East” during the first decades of the twentieth century, Shanghai was a thriving cosmopolitan city and home to large communities of colonialists, who lived in the concessions areas forcibly ceded to the control of foreign powers. The area known as the Bund or Witan and are still lined with stately banks and hotels from that era. On the opposite bank of the Huangpu river from the Bund, you’ll find the new Pudong (East Shanghai) financial center, where some of the world’s great architects have built an amazing new skyline. In 2016 the Shanghai Tower opened as the second tallest building in the world. Along with the Jinmao and the World Financial Center, the three buildings are the tallest grouping of skyscrapers in the world.
SHANGHAI MUSEUM
Located in the center of Shanghai in People’s Square is a large museum of ancient Chinese art. The exterior design of the round dome and the square base symbolizes the ancient idea of a round heaven and a square land. This museum houses over 120,000 historical and artistic treasures and is one of the city’s cultural gems. Its four story building presents a chronological and stylistic tour of China’s great artistic traditions, with bronzes, sculptures, ceramic, paintings, calligraphy, jades, and coins. Furniture and ethnic minority folk art are also displayed in the museum. Particular highlights are the display of ancient bronzes on the entrance level and the traditional Chinese paintings.
FORMER FRENCH CONCESSION AREA
The area formerly known as the Luwan district and now part of the Huangpu district, traces its roots to the foreign-governed enclaves of the colonial era. You will see sublime old villas with handsome palm tree gardens and wrought iron gates in this neighborhood. The tree-lined streets are also home to cafés, boutique stores, antique furniture dealers, and tiny art galleries. This neighborhood is also the site of many restaurants and bars. Fuxing Park is a tree-line green oasis in the district that dates back to the early 1900s. Early in the morning, people still come to the park and do their Taiqi excercises or practice traditional sword or fan dance. Old men gather to play chess at tables beside the main pavilion and couples dance the waltz. This district is one of the most charming in the city and the heart of “Old Shanghai.”
6. Staying Healthy
What To Do If You Get Sick
During your first week in Shanghai, you will attend a mandatory student orientation meeting which will cover the following topics:
- Health and safety
- Evacuation procedures
- Medical and health issues
- Communication in emergencies
- Student behavior & expectations
- Living in Shanghai as a foreigner
- Personal emergencies
If you have any personal emergencies, please contact a local staff member immediately no matter the time of the day or night. There is an on-site Resident Assistant that is on call 24 hours a day.
7. Staying Safe
Local Embassy
THE U.S. EMBASSY IN BEIJING
Tel: 10-8531-4000 (24 hours)
THE U.S. CONSULATE IN SHANGHAI
Tel: 3217-4650
After hours emergency line: 643303936
1469 Huaihai Zhong Rd (淮海中路1469号), Shanghai, China 200031
Keeping Yourself Safe In Shanghai
KEEP YOURSELF SAFE
- Do not drive (road crashes are #1 cause of death abroad)
- Do not participate in demonstrations/protests
- Drink responsibly
- Keep a low profile and be aware of your surroundings
- Travel with others and look out for each other
- Pay attention to the news (before and during the program)
- Practice safe sex, report any sexual assault to staff abroad
KEEP YOUR BELONGINGS SAFE
- Less violent crime in China, but more petty theft
- Do not bring valuables or sentimental items abroad
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
- Monitor your wallet/purse closely. Keep money hidden, or consider a money belt
- Limit smartphone usage in public
- Carry only necessities out at night – make sure you have emergency numbers with you
———– END GUIDE ———–
———– START FINE PRINT ———–
Academic Policies for Students Directly Enrolling in Courses at a Foreign University
As a student who will be directly enrolled in one or more courses at a foreign university, you are subject to a set of specific policies that apply to your classes, credits, and grades on this program. You are expected to be familiar with these policies before going abroad. Please read the academic policies below and make sure you understand them fully. You may download a copy of these policies here. Contact your Program Manager if you have any questions.
ACADEMIC POLICIES FOR STUDENTS DIRECTLY ENROLLING IN COURSES AT A FOREIGN UNIVERSITY
You will be enrolled in a course or courses at a university whose policies, teaching methods, and grading systems will differ from Boston University’s. Please read the policies outlined below very carefully and refer to your program-specific informational materials, which may include additional policies that modify or supplement the below.
- Full-time status. You are required to maintain full-time student status, equivalent to 12 or more BU credits per semester, while abroad. You may need to take more than 12 credits at your host university in order to earn the equivalent of 12 BU credits. Some foreign universities require that you take more than 12 BU credits in order to meet their requirements for full-time status.
- BU degree progress. You are responsible for verifying with your department in advance how the classes you take abroad will apply towards your major or minor degree requirements. An Academic Worksheet is available to you for this purpose.
- Auditing classes. You are not permitted to audit classes while studying abroad.
- Registering for final exams. Some universities abroad require students to register in advance for their final exams. It is your responsibility to know whether you need to register for your final exam, and to do so by the deadline. At some universities abroad, failure to register for or take a final exam results in a failing grade for that course. Although some universities abroad allow their matriculated students more than one opportunity to sit for final exams, BU Study Abroad program participants will sit the final exam only once.
- Grading Conversion and Credit Transfer. It is a student’s responsibility to understand the grading system and grade conversion scale for their host university courses. Some courses offered abroad may carry fewer than four credits.
- Grades and transcripts. Boston University cannot edit, modify or changein any way the final grades that are issued by your host institution and indicated on your host university transcript. Any questions regarding your grades should be directed to your host university faculty. All grades assigned to you by the host institution will be recorded on your BU transcript and all grades earned abroad will be factored into your GPA. You cannot opt to omit courses taken abroad and/or grades earned abroad from your BU transcript.
- Pass/Fail. No credit will be given to courses taken Pass/Fail.
- Withdrawals. If you withdraw from one of your classes abroad and a ‘W’ appears on your host university transcript, that ‘W’ will also appear on your BU transcript. However, a grade of ‘W’ will not be recorded on your transcript retroactively and post-program.
- Incompletes and Failing Grades. No grades of ‘Incomplete’ will be given; all coursework must be completed with your host institution, including the completion of all final exams before the end date of your program. You will also receive an ‘F’ on your BU transcript for any class that is ‘Incomplete’ on your host institution transcript. A failing grade earned in a class taken abroad will appear on your transcript as an ‘F’ and will count towards your GPA. In keeping with BU academic policy, you will not earn academic credit for incomplete or failed courses even though the grades appear on your transcript and impact your GPA.
Boston University Study Abroad reserves the right to rescind admission to or continuation in any program if an applicant’s academic or disciplinary record is not satisfactory. Boston University students placed on expulsion, academic suspension, or residence separation are not eligible to participate for the duration of the sanction. Deferred separation status will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Non-Boston University students are expected to verify their eligibility to study abroad with their home institution. In addition, your Boston University student account must be in good standing. University policy requires the withholding of educational services, including participation in a BU Study Abroad program from any student whose financial obligations to the university are due and/or unpaid. In completing your online pre-departure forms, there are a number of terms and conditions that you have agreed to by your electronic signature. In addition, some policies are stated on our website and linked below. We suggest that you review the following with your family, parent/guardian or other interested party: All students should thoroughly review the Boston University Study Abroad Policy on Refunds. This policy applies to all students and should be thoughtfully read when considering a withdrawal from a program. If you have questions, please contact our office. All students should review the Boston University Study Abroad Privacy Notice.The Fine Print: Policies and Procedures
Academic, Disciplinary and Financial Standing
Students’ Responsibilities While Abroad
Policy on Refunds
Privacy Notice
