Making Noteworthy Contributions at CERN Physics Research Lab

March 14th, 2023

Undergrad Caspian Chaharom has exceptional study abroad experience in Geneva

For Physics major Caspian Chaharom (CAS ’23), the experience of interning at CERN (Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire), an international physics research center, has been filled with invaluable opportunities. Among them: Working alongside the world’s leading physicists. More

BU Sydney Celebrates 30th Anniversary, BU LA Celebrates 20 Years

October 5th, 2022

BU Sydney first opened its doors – a couple of large, rented houses in one of the oldest residential districts in Sydney – in 1992. The inaugural program had 13 students, and current Program Director Mark Connellan pays tribute to those first students who were there to experience the beginning of a new program abroad.

“It all started in those houses with the 13 kids who arrived and embraced the experience,” Connellan says. “We had courses to teach but we also had to figure out where we were going to take them…there was a lot of finding our feet at first.”

Connellan has been involved with BU Sydney since its inception – first as an educator teaching the Australian Culture and Society course, then as Associate Director of the Sydney Internship Program.

When Connellan first received word that BU Sydney was greenlit he was in Europe and had to cut his trip short to fly back. “While staying at a hotel in Europe, I received a telegram that the program was starting in January, so I hurried back. That tells you how old the program is,” he says with a laugh.

Before Connellan took over as Program Director in January 2004, Kevin Martin, who is now happily retired in Auckland New Zealand, served as Director from 1993 to 2003. Since those early days, BU Sydney has grown into a bustling site offering nine different programs – with offerings focused on many subjects, including STEM, engineering, management, writing, film and more. The Sydney Internship is an especially popular program.

Connellan says in the spring of 2023 BU Sydney is going to cross the threshold of having hosted 6,000 students. “This upcoming semester is our 90^th semester,” he says. ” Personally, I think I’ve taught in about 85 semesters.”

BU Sydney is a special place – that’s echoed in the sentiments many alumni have shared during this milestone year as they reflect on their time there. Some students loved Sydney so much that they returned after graduation and now call Sydney home (read on for more about this in the alumni memories below).

It’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with Sydney and Australia. “The fact that we are the only island continent makes Australia special,” says Connellan. “We have unique flora and fauna, and in Sydney we have more beaches than pretty much any other city. On top of that, we have the highest number of overseas born people of any country and can also claim, through our indigenous people, to have the oldest continuous civilization in the world. I think that makes us very different.”

Enjoy the memories and photos shared below from BU Sydney alumni and staff:

In this issue we celebrate Sydney; in our next issue of Global Matters we will celebrate BU LA and share alumni memories and photos.

Emma Cancro

Sydney Film Festival Program Alumna, 2022

“BU Sydney is phenomenal! It’s run by supremely kind and passionate folks, located in an awesome, bustling, safe city with something for everyone to explore and enjoy! It’s so easy to fall in love with Sydney…as it changes your life, you just may find you want to stay forever. I know I plan to return as soon as possible!”

Julianna Kadar

Sydney Internship Program and Summer Travel Writing Program Alumna, 2010

Currently lives in Sydney and teaches the BU Sydney STEM module

“The thing that has stayed with me the most over the years from my study abroad experience is the Australian culture that I got to know the most through the BU Sydney staff. The warmth and humor of everyone – from the building staff to the academics – really made me feel welcome and supported. Years later, I still love catching up with them, and I think the culture of mateship and authenticity is a big part of my life now.”

“Some of my best memories are getting to discover the city of Sydney and the surrounding beautiful nature. It was incredible to arrive in Sydney and get to experience some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and then in the same day go to cultural events like the night noodle markets in a gorgeous park in the centre of the city. I never got tired of exploring the dozens of secret beaches along the harbour and walking the trails leading to all of them.”

Adriane Garland

School of Education Program Aluma,

“Sydney was the first place I had ever felt at home. I loved it so much I returned a year after graduating to pursue my Masters, and then ended up living in Sydney for 9 years and becoming a citizen. What I want to tell readers is take a risk. I knew nothing about Sydney but I wanted to study abroad so I went for it. It was the best decision of my life and the path I took after college would have looked drastically different had I not studied abroad.”

Jimmy Buck

Sydney Internship Program Alumnus, 2007

Currently lives in Melbourne

“I had an internship during my study abroad experience, which introduced me to the Australian workplace and the concept of work/life balance. My supervisor gave me opportunities to apply what I had learned in the classroom - and so much more. That experience made me want to come back after graduation and really set me up for my career in Australia.”

“Sydney is an incredible city with amazing people. When I moved to Sydney after graduation, the BU Sydney Centre introduced me to other alumni who had returned to Australia. Through the alumni network, I found an apartment, made new lifelong friends, received career advice, and found my way in a place that has been my home for the past 13 years.”

BU Sydney has put together a BU band made up of professors, alumni, and Director Mark Connellan. Every semester, new students join the band and perform at holiday events and the final farewell. One semester they had a whole brass section that played Adele, Maroon 5, and a bunch of classic rock.

For Two Pakistani Students, A Summer Unlike Any Other

October 5th, 2022

Global Programs hosted two Pakistani women students as part of Sister2Sister Exchange Program

For two young Pakistani women, their time at Boston University during Summer Term 2 marked their first trip to the United States, and they say it lived up to – even exceeded – their expectations. Hosted by Global Programs and selected by the Department of State-funded Sister2Sister Exchange Program, the students embarked on their first, solo journeys to Boston in early July.

They were accepted to the highly selective Sister2Sister Exchange Program, a public-private partnership supported by the Department of State, led by American University, and run in partnership with U.S. universities – like BU – that provide summer scholarships for students to enroll in one undergraduate course in their related field of study and complete a cultural reflections project. The Program is designed to provide Pakistani female college students from underserved backgrounds with academic, personal, and professional development as well as exposure to American culture.

Noor ul Ain Rehman (’24) and Mehreen Khan (’25) soaked up much of what a Boston summer has to offer while also advancing their studies in English and medicine, respectively. Rehman studies at the National University of Modern Languages in Islamabad, and Khan is enrolled at Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences.

“We were delighted to support Noor and Mehreen this summer in Boston University’s inaugural involvement with the Sister2Sister Exchange Program,” said Willis G. Wang, Vice President and Associate Provost for Global Programs. “This is an important program in collaboration with the U.S. State Department that helps empower Pakistani women college students, and I have no doubt that Noor and Mehreen will continue to meet their academic and career goals.”

For Khan, the value of an education was instilled in her at a young age by her mother, who has fought for the rights of children, especially girls, in Pakistan to have access to education.

“My mom has faced a lot of challenges; she has fought for those who are not allowed to go to school for various reasons, and she teaches them,” Khan says. “She used to be a professor, now she’s an administrator and a teacher, and she goes to areas where there are no schools.”

Khan hopes for a day when there are no uneducated people in Pakistan or in the world. She views her mother as a role model and is thrilled that her mom is proud of her for being accepted to the Sister2Sister Exchange Program and for reaching her academic goals.

“My mom is so proud…she’s always told me you have to do things for yourself and believe in yourself,” Khan says. “I’ve explored a lot here, and it’s made me stronger. I’m also getting international experience to see how hospitals here manage and treat patients so that I can take all the good points and apply them in my country.”

Khan studies medicine and plans to become a doctor and eventually help build hospitals in the areas of Pakistan that have high poverty rates.

“I want to treat people for free, and it would be an honor to become the first doctor in my family,” she says. “Treating the ill has always been something I’m interested in.”

At BU, Khan took the course Human Physiology and learned how the human body normally functions and what happens when there are abnormalities. She also met with several Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine physicians, medical students, and School leadership, including Dean Karen H. Antman, MD, who is an internationally recognized expert on breast cancer, mesotheliomas and sarcomas, and the Provost of the Boston University Medical Campus.

“Several of our women faculty and medical students hosted a lunch for Mehreen and Noor and then gave them a tour of the medical campus,” said Dr. Antman. “We are looking forward to hosting other students again next summer.”

“I really like the education system that I’ve been a part of here,” Khan adds. “Lab work in Pakistan and in the USA is very different. In Pakistan we perform experiments but here most of things are typing on the computer. I’ve also been amazed by the people. Everyone is generous to each other and to their work. I want to thank everyone for helping me make my dreams possible.”

Like Khan, Rehman has learned how studying in a foreign place has helped her imagine new possibilities for herself and boosted her independence and professional development.

Rehman studies English and took a Creative Writing course at BU during her time, where she not only learned about different forms of writing but also practiced her craft and compiled a short story that she hopes will be published in a book in Pakistan.

“Here, we focus on our own potential; the writing class is different [than in Pakistan] and it’s a different approach,” Rehman says. “Back home, I didn’t get to write much during class. I never thought I could write so well in a limited time and with a prompt. Now I know that if I have even a small idea I can write it down and then go back to it later and write a poem or story.”

Rehman aims to earn a masters and doctorate degree in English or Creative Writing. She also has plans to take a CSS exam, which, with a passing score, would give her access to a position in government in Pakistan.

Over the course of her six-week visit, Rehman says she made many friends and has been pleasantly surprised by the open arms that have greeted her.

“People here are so sweet…that will stay with me the most,” she says. “No one judges me even though I thought they may. This has made me think about minorities in my country. People here have made me feel so welcomed and have been so kind to me. I am amazed by even the small gestures.”

Rehman adds that she thinks it’s important for people to experience life in different countries and cultures, if possible, because one can use the opportunity to not only learn from other people but also examine oneself.

“I’ve been able to learn so much about myself,” she says. “I met so many people here – people from all different countries and cultures – and we instantly connected with each other. It didn’t matter where we’re from or what language we speak. We’re more similar than we think, and we should remember that.”

An avid reader and someone who’s interested in history, Rehman has made many terrific memories exploring Boston and participating in various city tours and museum visits.

“I wore out three of the four pairs of shoes I packed!” she adds. “I had the best time.”

Study Abroad Internship Leads to Global PR Job Offer 

October 5th, 2022

A London Internship Provides Lasting Relationships, Relevant Experience for COM Major

Pamela Urchel’s excitement for her budding career in public relations is unmistakable. More

For a Health Sciences and Public Health Student, Study Abroad Internships Solidify his Future Career Path

October 5th, 2022

A focus on global nutrition, more international work, and perhaps a future PhD are on the horizon 

Anthony Consigli (SAR ‘23, SPH ’24) is keenly interested in helping study and solve complex public health challenges. More

CELOP Hosts Georgian Students in Department of State-Funded English Access Program

October 5th, 2022

Students gained insights in leadership styles, English language skills, and American culture

BU’s Center for English Language & Orientation Programs (CELOP) recently hosted 28 students and 3 chaperones from the country of Georgia who participate in a Department of State-funded English Access Microscholarship Program (Access). The Access Program provides a foundation of English language skills to bright, economically disadvantaged students, primarily between the ages of 13 to 20, in their home countries, according to the Department of State. While visiting BU’s campus for two weeks, the students developed their English language skills and learned about leadership and American culture.

“It’s one thing to learn about it [American culture], but it’s another thing to experience it,” said Kocha Changelia, one of the students who participated in the program and is studying international relations in Georgia.

Students studied leadership and gained an understanding of different leadership styles as well as how their personal qualities relate to leadership. They also toured some of Boston’s historical landmarks and learned about American history and the role that Boston played in it. In addition to walking the Freedom Trail, they visited the Institute of Contemporary Art and took tours of BU, Harvard, and MIT.

“This was my first time in a foreign country,” said student Lasha Tchanturishvili. “I met a lot of people – different personalities, different cultures. The most memorable for me in Boston will be our tours and seeing the JFK Library.”

“We were incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity this summer to partner with pH International on delivering this high-impact, two-week program to their talented group of Access students,” said Maria Arruda, Managing Director of CELOP. “Not only is it helpful for CELOP to bring in new partners post-pandemic, but also hosting this particular group of students helped to enhance the diversity of CELOP’s student population.”

Another student, Zaur Tchikaidece, who is studying computer science and English in Georgia, echoed the excitement of visiting the U.S. and reflected on learning more about life in America. “This was my first time ever leaving my country,” Tchikaidece said. “It’s exciting in every way possible. I can’t help but notice the movies make the U.S. seems so different than it is…the U.S. seems like a place of heaven in the movies.”

This group of young college students was one of CELOP’s first from the country of Georgia, where aspects of their culture date back to medieval times. The history of the Georgian people runs deep, and some students gave presentations – as part of their program – about the differences between the U.S. and Georgian governments. They also investigated, analyzed, and gave presentations on successful leaders.

“For Americans it is simple because they are born here and move through the years…sometimes I think people don’t realize the responsibility they have when it comes to voting,” said student Kocha Changelia. “We take it seriously in Georgia. [During this program,] we talked about the Electoral College [in the U.S.] and how it functions. The differences in popular vote and Electoral College. Can they be replaced and changed? What are the implications that they have?”

“This program made me realize that there are so many great teenagers who are future leaders of my country,” said Lizi Astavishvili. “They are really enthusiastic about their careers, and I made great friends here.” Astavishvili is in her second year of studying for her bachelor’s degree in Georgia, and she hopes to become a lawyer. She also aims to pursue a master’s degree in the U.S.

Two International Students Share their Successes Interning at CBS News and Boston Medical Center

October 5th, 2022

Phoebe Chen and Vaibhavi Hansrajani gained valuable experience in their industries

While enrolled at Boston University, many international students go on to participate in high-impact internships that give them relevant experience before graduating. We recently sat down with two international students to learn about their recent successes while interning over the summer at CBS News and with Boston Medical Center’s nephrology team.

Phoebe Chen (COM '23), who was born and raised in Taiwan, is studying Journalism at BU. She has a double minor in Advertising and Computer Science, and she interned with CBS News this summer as a Rotational News Intern at CBS’ New York flagship station. During her two-month-long internship, she rotated through multiple areas in the newsroom, including production, engineering operations, sales, and creative services.

Q&A with Phoebe Chen:

Phoebe Chen pictured at her internship at CBS News

This interview with Chen has been condensed and edited.

1. What did you learn or accomplish in your role at your internship?

Chen: Since my sophomore year in college, I have taken every opportunity to gain experience that prepares me for a career in journalism. I’ve taken numerous news-related classes, written for my school’s newspaper and local newspaper, reported and produced packages for BU’s television station and interned with other news media. I thought that I’d pretty much covered everything needed to work in this industry. But the two months at CBS proved me completely wrong. Everything I know about news production was superficial, and what I had learned is only the tip of the iceberg. A 30-minute-news-cast that seems straightforward—with anchors reading the script and B-roll playing on screen— is a product of collaborative efforts among different departments. With any single part missing, the newscast would go wrong.

What I saw over the two month internship was completely new to me. It is the foundation of the whole broadcast system, and people from each department in the industry should know, or at least have a brief idea of how things work out.

As an intern, I spent most of my time in the newsroom, studios, and the control rooms. I got to shadow and work with the producers, directors, reporters and photographers, where they shared their knowledge and responsibilities. I felt lucky that we got to witness how they dealt with breaking news during my last days in the newsroom. The importance of immediate response is another thing I learned. We never know what will happen, so the best thing to do is to always be ready and take in a tense situation calmly.

2. Did you find anything surprising or unexpected? Either about the culture or the work that you did?

Chen: During our internship, we got to help CBS set up New York's primary debate in the broadcast center. This was an opportunity that we did not expect, but it was amazing to witness how much "behind the scenes" effort the crew put in before the candidates arrived at the studio and went on camera.

3. How do you hope to apply your experience for your future career goals?

Chen: In my opinion, the Asian perspective is immensely underrepresented in most American media, and I have witnessed how news media made a difference. The advancement of news inclusiveness is one of the main drives of my passion for television news production, and I believe I can do so through media production companies' demonstrated commitment towards diversity. I consider broadcast journalism to be one of the most important tools for creating positive change in the world and establishing an informed global citizenry, and I believe that journalism plays a leading role in this process.

4. What did this experience teach you about working in the U.S.? Was this your first time interning/working in the U.S.?

Chen: This wasn't my first time working in the U.S. I interned with Fox News Media last spring as a College Associate, and had several other internships at smaller companies before that. These experiences not only serve as a pipeline for full-time opportunities, but also help me explore different aspects in the industry, thus deciding which path I will focus on pursuing. Last but not least, I considered these internships to be "workplace 101," a lesson we didn't have exposure to without stepping out of the classroom. Coming from a foreign country, I made good use of my time working in U.S. to observe and adapt to the work culture I might encounter in the future.

Another student, Vaibhavi Hansrajani (ENG ’23), who is studying Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Machine Learning and Nanotechnology, interned with the Boston Medical Center (BMC). Hansrajani is originally from Mumbai, India.  

 

Q&A with Vaibhavi Hansrajani:

Vaibhavi Hansrajani pictured at her internship (2nd from left)

This interview with Hansrajani has been condensed and edited.

1. Where did you intern this summer and what were your responsibilities?

Hansrajani: I was enrolled in the BU-KIDMEP Program, which stands for Boston University Kidney and Medical Engineering Program.This was a clinical immersion program that focused on technology development for kidney diseases. I worked closely with the care providers and patients in the hospitals to understand kidney disease from their perspectives. After a brief training period of observing interventional nephrology procedures, and visiting dialysis centers and medical device manufacturing sites, I was paired with a professor at Boston University to work on multiple projects like creating a real-time calculator that predicts a patient’s kidney function and modeling the working of an artificial kidney. 

2. What did you learn or accomplish in your role at your internship? 

Hansrajani: I was finally able to get hands-on research experience to solve a crucial issue that would benefit the healthcare field. This experience also made me more comfortable in taking interviews and interacting with clients.   

3. Did you find anything surprising or unexpected? Either about the culture or work that you did?

Hansrajani: I was very surprised by how all interns' opinions and ideas were taken into serious consideration. It was a learning platform where even the ideas I suggested as a university student to doctors and professors were not dismissed. Moreover, it was a great networking opportunity.

4. How do you hope to apply your experience to your future career goals?

Hansrajani: As a rising senior, I have several doubts about what I would like to do after graduation and this internship helped me learn about all the opportunities students in my field engage in. I also learned how it is very important to be present at all times and be flexible to work in a new environment. As an engineer, I never saw myself taking rounds in a hospital but it was a rewarding experience for the research I am currently working on. It also made me more comfortable asking questions and knowing it’s alright to make mistakes. I certainly feel more prepared and excited for my full-time employment after graduation.

5. What did this experience teach you about working in the U.S.? Was this your first time interning/working in the U.S.?

Hansrajani: This being my very first in-person internship in the United States, I was a little apprehensive about voicing my ideas and opinions. However, having worked with so many people of diverse cultures I am confident and know that I do not have to worry about being international and having a different opinion, this is rather appreciated. I also learned that there is always going to be competition and it is important to step out of one’s comfort zone and try your hand at new projects to stand out. Lastly, this experience also taught me about all the visa regulations and paperwork I need to be mindful of while working in the U.S, be it internships or getting a full-time job after graduation. The Center for Career Development collaborates with the ISSO each semester on a number of workshops and events to educate international students regarding this and was certainly my guide in knowing everything I should about working in the U.S.

The London Summer Semester Returns for CGS Freshmen

October 5th, 2022

Enrollment in the program continues to climb 

After two years of being unable to run the London summer semester for College of General Studies (CGS) students due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, 638 CGS students happily made their way to London – in two separate sessions during summer 2022 – to take part in experiential learning opportunities throughout the city and surrounding areas.

“We welcomed the opportunity to support the College of General Studies and offer students the unique educational opportunity of spending six weeks learning in London,” said Willis G. Wang, Vice President and Associate Provost for Global Programs. “Working with the thoughtful faculty and staff at CGS and with our team in London to line up excursions and day trips that are integral to the curriculum was especially rewarding after two years of unwanted hiatus.”

Day trips this summer included trips to Brighton, Bath (well-known for and named after its Roman-built baths), and Oxford. Students also visited Bletchley Park, including the National Museum of Computing, and took in the British countryside while visiting Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill) and the Cotswolds. Within and around London, field trips included visits to Buckingham Palace/The Queen’s Gallery and the Royal Mews, Highgate Cemetery, Kenwood House and Hampstead Heath, The Tower of London, Churchill War Rooms, Dr Johnson’s House, Street Art Tours, and more.

“I had the pleasure of accompanying students and faculty on several trips this summer in both summer 1 and summer 2 semesters: a tour of Chinatown followed by a delicious lunch at a neighborhood restaurant; an outing to see a revival of My Fair Lady; a day trip to Oxford; a trip to the Globe Theater to see a truly amazing production of King Lear,” said Natalie McKnight, Dean of the College of General Studies. “Students and faculty were so excited and grateful to be in London, and the trips together not only enhanced the classroom learning but also created a wonderful sense of community.”

Gaelle Pierre (CGS ‘25) says her time in London was eye-opening, in part, because of how diverse and multicultural the city is. “Something I didn't expect to see in London was how many different places catered to different cultures,” she said. “Brick Lane, for instance, is a very diverse area that presents Indian culture. The marketplaces, clothing shops, and restaurants that line the streets are fantastic. There's something everyone can enjoy, whether it's a guided tour or going to the theater.”

During their excursions and trips, Pierre especially enjoyed visiting Soane's Museum and Six the Musical. “The museum was filled with lots of interesting architecture and art that gave me chills,” she said. “I got to go to a secret room with tons of artwork, and it was amazing seeing the sunlight hit the gold detailing on different parts of the house. Six the Musical was fun because we learned the history behind King Henry VIII in class so following the plot through the wives’ point of view was entertaining.”

“These trips and cultural excursions are intrinsically related to the curriculum and its very global focus,” said Stacy Godnick, Associate Dean for Student Academic Life at the College of General Studies. “With this global experience in the first year, it means many students will end up having more than one global experience while at BU.”

And many do. Excluding during the COVID-19 pandemic when the program could not run, since 2014, 18 percent of students who participated in the CGS London semester went on to enroll in a Boston University Study Abroad program later in their academic career.

“The CGS summer semester in London is a uniquely positive introduction to experiences abroad and what the possibilities can be,” said Gareth McFeely, Executive Director of Boston University Study Abroad. “For many students this can set the foundation for studying topics and subjects that can be further explored in subsequent study abroad opportunities, whether in London or elsewhere.”

Pierre can attest to the CGS London semester piquing her interest in studying abroad again. “I think this experience helped me discover how much I love travelling, and I would love to study abroad again, possibly to other parts of Europe,” she said.

In addition to acting as a gateway to study abroad, the London summer semester for CGS students has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception. In 2014, 74 CGS students participated in the first London summer semester, and since then, enrollment has grown significantly, excluding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As enrollment trends have risen and each session now brings hundreds of students across the pond, the role Study Abroad plays is even more critical to help ensure the well-being and safety of all participants. Before students depart for their trip, they attend a pre-departure training with Study Abroad staff. This covers everything from health, safety, and security to logistics about passports, currency, housing and more. On the ground, BU Study Abroad provides housing in London as well as pastoral care and reinforces health and safety procedures with an on-site orientation.

“Being in London meant a lot to me since this was the longest I was away from home,” adds Pierre. “I got to really feel like an adult and make decisions about how I spent my time. I [also] learned how important it is to collaborate with peers and explore a big city together.”

International Education Week ’22 is Set for Nov. 14-18

October 5th, 2022

Share your IEW events with the BU community

Global Programs looks forward to once again facilitating International Education Week (IEW) at BU. IEW 2022 marks Global Program’s 11th consecutive year of leading IEW efforts for the University.

IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of State and of Education, seeking to highlight the importance of international education. From November 14 - 18 the BU community will come together to host numerous events – both in-person and virtual – by student groups, schools, colleges, cultural centers, and other organizations across BU’s campuses and at BU Study Abroad locations. To highlight your event as an IEW-related event and to contribute to BU’s commitment to international education, please share some details with us here.

“We are proud to once again play a lead and collaborative role in International Education Week for Boston University,” said Willis G. Wang, Vice President and Associate Provost for Global Programs. “This week celebrates the important and diverse work being done across the BU community to advance international education and global engagement. We look forward to hosting and participating in the many virtual and in-person events that will be offered.”

This year, the Global Programs IEW faculty panel event will explore the growing crisis of forced displacement worldwide, and Global Programs is thrilled to feature a multi-disciplinary panel of BU experts on Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. in the Metcalf Trustee Ballroom (One Silber Way, 9th fl.):

• Susan Akram, Clinical Professor of Law and Director of BU Law’s International Human Rights Clinic
• Leonella Castellano Thiébaud (Moderator), Director, Geneva Programs, Boston University Study Abroad
• Sondra Crosby, MD, Associate Professor of Health Law, Ethics & Human Rights
• Timothy Longman, Professor of Political Science and International Relations and Director of the BU Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs
• Carrie Preston, Director of Kilachand Honors College, Professor of English and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, and Founding Co-director of the BU Initiative on Forced Displacement
• Muhammad Zaman, Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Founding Co-director of the BU Initiative on Forced Displacement

Visit the IEW website for forthcoming details.

In addition to the annual IEW marquee event, Global Programs and its units of Study Abroad, International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO), and the Center for English Language and Orientation Programs (CELOP) host several IEW events. Check the IEW website for event updates and details as they become available. We look forward to seeing you in November!

Boston University Named a “Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution” for Second Year in a Row

February 28th, 2022

Boston University is proud to be named one of the U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most 2021-2022 Fulbright U.S. Students. Each year the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces the top producing institutions for the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program. 2020-2021 was the first time BU achieved ‘Top Producing Institution’ status.

For 2021-2022, out of 66 BU students who submitted Fulbright applications, 11 received Fulbright awards. “While everyone wondered how a global pandemic would impact an international program like Fulbright, the 2021-22 Fulbright application cycle turned out to be the largest and most competitive in Fulbright history. Applicant volume grew by 11.9% nationally. At BU, we saw a 20% increase in the number of applicants from the year prior. It seems that at BU and nationally, the pandemic only increased students’ desire to engage with the world,” said Jeffrey Berg, BU Director of National & International Scholarships.

Willis G. Wang, Vice President and Associate Provost for Global Programs commented, “We are extremely proud to see increasing numbers of BU students applying for and being accepted to the prestigious Fulbright Program. It is a testament not only to our students, but also to our faculty who teach and inspire them to engage more deeply around the world.”