International Experience Undergraduate Requirement

International Experience (SHA HF440)

The international requirement is designed to help SHA students expand their worldview and become more multiculturally competent, a skill that is crucial to your success as a leader in the global hospitality industry. Similar to HF 140 and HF 240, this is a course you must enroll in.

What Types of Experiences will count for HF 440?

In addition to study abroad experiences, there are many other ways students can complete their international work experience. Additional ways we allow students to complete the international requirement are through the following:

  • Attending 2 cultural events (must be in-person)
  • Holding a leadership role in a SHA/BU multicultural organization
  • Participating in an on-or off campus multicultural club or organization
  • Completing 2 additional foreign language courses on top of HUB requirement (cannot use your native language)
  • Completing 2 BU courses with a multicultural/global focus
  • Participating in a classroom-to-classroom academic project
  • Participating in a SHA spring break service trip.
  • Alternative/your idea approved by SHA Career Services

Syllabus for HF440 will be available soon.

Students must receive approval of their international experience PRIOR to beginning.

**Note: The above syllabus is for general understanding only and does not serve as your official syllabus when enrolled in the course.

The School of Hospitality accepts these methods to satisfy the International Experience Requirement:

1. An approved BU study abroad program that may or may not include an internship

Students are NOT eligible to apply for a study abroad program unless they have completed at least one 300-hour work experience (SHA HF140). This includes the L.A. D.C. study abroad programs for international students only.

2. Another CPT opportunity (international students only)

You can work in the US for HF440. If you worked in the US for HF140 or HF240, you can also choose to use that work experience to also complete HF440.

3. An internship abroad or a structured international trip

A trip with a hospitality/global focus of at least one week. (i.e. international research trip, international service trip, Disney College Program, Peace Corps, military service, volunteer work with an organization, etc.)

4. Two distinct, short-term, faculty-led international programs

5. Completion of any two of the following activities:

  • One short-term, faculty-led international program.
  • Enroll in a course with global/international focus.
  • An extra semester of the same foreign language beyond two semesters of a foreign language already required as part of SHA degree requirements.
  • Actively participate or engage in a performance or event with an international/global focus.
  • Present a paper at a symposium or conference or participate in a panel on international/global topics.
  • Work with a faculty member on a project with an international global theme.
  • Interact with students from outside the United States in a collaborative class project.

After completion of the international experience:

  1. Register for SHA HF440 after you complete the experience. (EXCEPTION: International students must be registered for the course at the time they want to work in the US.)
  2. Submit your 500-word reflection on Blackboard.

The Evaluation Process

Career Services will review your reflection and issue a pass or fail grade. Grades will be submitted to the Registrar no more than 72 hours after the last day of classes for the semester. Late assignments will not be accepted. No exceptions. Plan ahead!