BC faculty-led programs and internships

Each year, approximately 300 students participate in Boston College faculty-led summer programs and internships abroad, with an opportunity to earn credit toward their major, minor, core, and degree requirements.

Please note that the OGE does not approve or sign off on non-BC summer programs. Students who are considering external summer programs are encouraged to contact their academic dean's office, if they have questions regarding transfer of credit or need assistance with paperwork.  

Common Questions

Why summer?

If you are looking to fit an international experience alongside academic year commitments on campus, want to fulfill requirements to make room for other courses, or simply can't wait to go, summer programs and internships are a great opportunity for you.

Am I eligible?

BC summer programs and internships are open to all students, as well as external students matriculated at an accredited institution of higher education. There is no GPA requirement. Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Students under 18 must include a parental/guardian signature on all final confirmation forms. Hurry, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until space is available.

Can I afford it?

BC financial aid is not available in the summer. However, there are funding opportunities for summer programs. We offer advising and support for students applying for need-based and prestigious awards, and a variety of BC scholarships, and grants.

Is it safe?

The safety and welfare of our students abroad is our first and foremost priority. Country-specific information about health and safety is provided to students throughout the advising process and at pre-departure orientation. Protocols and coverage are in place to ensure the health and safety of students abroad.

Will I fit in?

We strongly believe that education abroad should not be reserved for a select few. Every BC student has the option of going abroad - regardless of race/ethnicity, gender, finances, on-campus commitment or area of study. This commitment is rooted in the belief that all students' experiences overseas are enhanced through a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds.

Will I get credit?

Study abroad is an integrated part of the BC undergraduate experience. Summer programs count toward BC graduation requirements (maximum of 2 summer programs per student) and can fulfill major/minor and core requirements. Grades appear on transcripts and are factored into students' GPA as regular BC courses.

Meet the faculty

Hear from BC faculty leading summer programs abroad.

Photo of Ana Peláez Ana Peláez Ana Peláez

Ana Peláez

Madrid Resident Director

Photo of Ana Peláez

1) Art is more than a subject it's a journey through time, where history comes alive, and Spain itself becomes our classroom, inviting us to experience creativity with all five senses.

2 ) In this course, art transcends the canvas, turning the city into a living gallery where we immerse ourselves in history, creativity, and innovation through the richness of direct experience.

Summer course: Spanish Art History: from Al-Andalus to Picasso.

 

Courses taught: Spanish Art History: From Al-Andalus to Picasso (taught in English and in Spanish)

Research interests: Spanish Art History, Visual Culture, Spanish cultural studies.

Photo of Avneet  Hira Avneet Hira Avneet Hira

Avneet Hira

Assistant Professor of Engineering

Photo of Avneet  Hira

Prof. Govindasamy, BC undergraduate students, and I worked on service engineering projects in the areas of water filtration and precision agriculture along with farmers in Southern India. The students exemplified cultural humility and curiosity, and engineering innovation during our time in India.

Summer course: Community Engaged Engineering on Energy, Environment, and Health in Southern India

Courses taught: Introduction to Human-Centered Engineering, Innovation through Engineering Design, Reflection Seminar, Engineering Foundations Studio V, Collaborative Service Engineering Project 

Research Interests: Engineering education, Educational technologies, Aerospace engineering

Photo of Can  Erbil Can Erbil Can Erbil

Can Erbil

Professor of the Practice in Economics

Photo of Can  Erbil

Explore the crossroads of history, culture, and economics where East meets West, past meets future, and classroom meets the real world!

Summer course:  Transitional
Economies and Global Markets: from Istanbul to Dubrovnik - Exploring the
Economics and Culture of Balkans and Türkiye - Does the Past Determine the
Future?

Courses taught: 

Econ
1101 Principles of Economics

Econ 1501 Beyond Price

Econ 1503 Exchange and Values

Econ 2202 Macroeconomic Theory

Econ 2207 The Global Economy

Econ 2713 Global Horizons beyond Boston College: Integrating Ethics, Economics,
and the Common Good

Econ 3388 Economic Policy Analysis

UNCS 2245 First-year Topic Seminar (Inclusive Prosperity and
Exchange)

ADEC 7200 Applied Macroeconomic Theory

ADEC 7500 Ethics, Economics and Public Policy

Research interests: International Trade, Economic Modeling, Macroeconomic Policy, Economic Inequality

Photo of Nick Block Nick Block Nick Block

Nick Block

Assistant Professor of the Practice, German Studies

Photo of Nick Block

My happy place is walking through the streets of Vienna, seeing the medieval and modern history drip from the face of its buildings. I want students to experience European literary cafes, art museums, opera halls, soaking in the art and architecture around them. They might even dabble in a bit of artistic creation themselves. So much to learn, so little time!

Summer course: Vienna Art & Architecture

Courses taught: History of German Literature; German Film; Elementary German; Intermediate German; Modern Jewish Thought; Representing the Holocaust

Research interests: German-Jewish literature, modernism, Jewish ex libris art, Orientalism, Yiddish

 

Photo of Rita  Owens Rita Owens Rita Owens

Rita Owens

Senior Lecturer in Business Law and Society

Photo of Rita  Owens

Portugal has undergone enormous cultural change over the past decades, and Lisbon has been the top European destination for the past several years. There's no better time or place to study how communication impacts all businesses and disciplines through the lens of Portugal and the EU. Are you ready to elevate your business communication skills and thrive in a global environment? Join me in beautiful and vibrant Lisbon to do just that.

Summer course: Cross-Cultural Business Communication

Courses taught: Business Writing and Comm Skills for Managers, Essential Business Communication, Communication for Consultants, Technical Writing

Research interests:Consulting, Business Communication, Managerial Communication

Photo of Rebecca  Lowenhaupt Rebecca Lowenhaupt Rebecca Lowenhaupt

Rebecca Lowenhaupt

Professor, Education Leadership and Higher Education

Photo of Rebecca  Lowenhaupt

As immigration continues to expand globally, the arrival of newcomers is reshaping the culture, politics and identity of many cities including Dublin. Come explore this vibrant, multicultural city with us! Consider questions like, "How do immigrant families navigate a new city? How can educators help immigrant students feel a sense of belonging? How does immigration relate to other sociocultural experiences and identities? How does immigration look different in Ireland than in the U.S. and why?" Learn about theory and policy of immigration through hands-on, collaborative learning with our partners in immigrant-serving schools, universities and organizations.

Summer course: Immigration in an Age of Uncertainty: Identity & Education in Dublin

Courses taught: Qualitative Research Methods, Educational Leadership, Educational Policy in Practice

Research interests: Immigration, Multilingual Learners, Educational Leadership & Policy, Policy Analysis

Photo of Paul Pellegrino Paul Pellegrino Paul J. Pellegrino

Paul Pellegrino

Faculty of Business Law and Society

Photo of Paul Pellegrino

This course offers students a unique and memorable opportunity to study abroad in the ancient city of Athens Greece. Known as the birthplace of Western civilization, democracy, arts, science, and education, Greece, rich in ancient history, food and beautiful landscapes, provides students with a practical and immersive educational opportunity.

Summer course: Data Privacy Law, A Lesson From Greece

Courses taught: Business Law, Introduction to Law and Legal Process

Research interests: Law and Legal Process

Photo of Glenn  Gaudette Glenn Gaudette Glenn Gaudette

Glenn Gaudette

John W. Kozarich Chair of Engineering

Photo of Glenn  Gaudette

Projects provide an opportunity to work closely with people for another part of the world, in addition to getting to experience their culture.

Summer course: Collaborative Service Engineering Projects or Innovation Through Design Thinking

 

Courses taught: Biomechanics, Engineering for Society, Engineering Foundations Studio 1, First Year HCE Reflection

Research interests: Engineering

Photo of Celeste  Wells Celeste Wells Celeste Wells

Celeste Wells

Professor of the Practice- Communication

Photo of Celeste  Wells

I am honored to take students to Australia who are passionate about using their expertise and skills to work toward a responsible future. Australia is a gorgeous country that offers much to explore for students interested in studying socially & environmentally responsible organizational culture and communication. Traveling to Melbourne and Townsville will allow students to see a few vastly different cultures within the country and learn how the cities and organizations within those cities handle issues of pressing global importance.

Summer course: From Coffee to Collective Action: Studying Sustainable and Socially-Responsible Organizations in Australia

Courses taught: The Rhetorical Tradition, Research Methods, Argumentation, Cultural Diversity in the Media, Organizational Communication, Communication Criticism, McGillycuddy-Logue Senior Seminar, Kostka Experience Seminar, Honors Research and Methods, and Courage to Know.

Research interests: Communication and Rhetoric

Photo of Arvind  Sharma Arvind Sharma Arvind Sharma

Arvind Sharma

Assistant Professor of the Practice in Applied Economics

Photo of Arvind  Sharma

Explore India’s dynamic cities, Bangalore and Delhi, while tackling real-world challenges in poverty alleviation. See how innovative policies in education, health, and microfinance are transforming lives. With a unique blend of classroom learning, cultural immersion, and on-the-ground fieldwork, this course will give you practical insights and firsthand experience that will shape your understanding of Economic Development.

Summer course: Development Economics

Courses taught: Fundamentals of Economics, Data Analysis, Econometrics, AI/ML Algorithms I, Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus, Software Tools for Data Analysis, Directed Practicum

Research interests: Industrial Organization, Labor Economics 

By the Numbers

33%

of students identify as AHANA
 

Summer 2024

13%

students awarded McGillycuddy-Logue Travel Grants

Summer 2024

19

internship placements
 

Summer 2024

24

programs offered
 

Summer 2024