There are plenty of ways to have international experiences and gain intercultural competencies that don't involve a formal academic or professional commitment. You are welcome to organise your own activity that allows you to travel overseas. Among the options open to you are volunteering, field trips, short courses (i.e. language or summer schools), conferences and independent projects.
In many cases, these activities are facilitated by external organisations that may not necessarily be endorsed by BU, so it is important that you do your research carefully to ensure you have a valuable experience with tangible outcomes.
Funding available for international opportunities
If you decide to undertake an experience overseas you might be able to benefit from funding to contribute towards some of the costs of your activity.
If your field trip activity takes place in the EEA and has a duration of at least 60 days, you may be able to benefit from BU Erasmus+ funding. Please note, the Erasmus+ funding will be able available for BU students for mobilities overseas until May 2023 only.
You may also be able to benefit from BU Turing Scheme funding which is available to all BU students and recent graduates undertaking mobilities globally with a duration between 4 weeks and 12 months. Please note, BU currently offers Turing Scheme funding for mobilities taking place ending before 31 August 2022. Availability for funding in 2022/23 will be announced in due course.
If you would like to know more information about the Erasmus+ funding or the Turing Scheme funding and the eligibility and quality assessment requirements, please visit the relevant webpages or email the team at: [email protected] for queries about the Erasmus+ funding and at: [email protected] for queries about the Turing Scheme funding.
For further advice
Our drop-in sessions are every Monday (virtual) and Wednesday (in person) afternoons during term time. During the summer holidays our drop-in sessions are every Monday (virtual) and no sessions on Wednesdays. The sessions are open to all students wanting to find out about opportunities to study and work overseas during your degree and the funding available to support you.
Want to drop in?
- Mondays 1pm - 5pm: Join us online via Microsoft Teams (MS Teams), search “BU Study and Work Overseas Drop in” in MS Teams or access the session in MS Teams
- Wednesdays 1pm - 5pm: Visit us in person in the Global Mobility Hub in Poole House - next to the Student Shop on Talbot Campus.
