Study Abroad and the BU Hub

The BU Hub is Boston University’s University-wide general education program that emphasizes working across disciplines to prepare for a complex and diverse world. While abroad on a BU program, students can fulfill both their major and minor degree requirements and Hub requirements.

A semester of study abroad is an integral part of a BU undergraduate experience. Mapping out a plan of study that will include study abroad is an important part of the conversations that you’ll have with your academic advisor. Consider what you want to study when you’re abroad. Which programs offer the areas of study and experience that most interest you? Review the courses offered on the programs that you’re considering as well as the Hub requirements that you can fulfill.

Setting goals

Advance planning, meetings with your academic advisor and a study abroad advisor will help you to map out course selections leading up to, during and after your semester abroad. The Blueprint worksheet is a helpful tool to set goals and to select the courses and the study abroad program that aligns with your academic, personal and professional interests. Your Blueprint worksheet

Remember that both the BU Hub and Study Abroad are meant to integrate with a student’s major and minor studies. Through the learning experience that a BU Study Abroad program provides, students continue to make progress towards degree requirements and to develop the Hub’s essential skills and capacities.

BU Study Abroad Exchange Programs, Consortia and Direct Enrollment Programs

Students participating in a BU Study Abroad program that includes direct enrollment in courses offered at a foreign university earn BU credit and may apply courses towards major and minor requirements with the approval of an academic advisor. However, courses offered at other universities will not satisfy Hub requirements.

NEW Hub Opportunities

BU’s Hub office has created a new opportunity for students studying abroad to fulfill a requirement in two Hub areas: Individual in Community and Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. Students who study abroad on a BU program, an exchange program, enroll directly at another university, or go on a faculty- led program will be able to take advantage of this opportunity. They will need to complete a reflective exercise about how their time abroad meets one (or more) of the learning outcomes for the given Hub area. Students will also need to get a signature from their program leader to verify their participation in the abroad experience. The reflective exercise can be completed while students are abroad or up to one semester after. More details can be found on the Hub’s website.