Where will you go?
Looking to experience the joy of learning in another country? Getting to know another culture or language? Understanding what it means to be part of a global, interconnected community?
Take advantage of more than 150 opportunities to study abroad in 50 countries. From France to New Zealand. From Thailand to Cyprus. Make connections between what you’re learning and the places you get to explore. The world is out there waiting for you.
Semester Programs Abroad
Ready to study abroad for a semester or longer? You have a world of options.
You can spend a semester studying and exploring in a number of countries. Apply by February 1 for priority consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be considered on a rolling basis.
The following study abroad programs and all ISEP Exchange experiences are preferred programs.
- Argentina (Córdoba) (.pdf): Spanish immersion
- Botswana (Gaborone) (.pdf)
- Bulgaria (Blagoevgrad) (.pdf)
- Chile (Valparaíso) (.pdf): Spanish immersion or Spanish/English option with no initial Spanish required
- Cyprus (Nicosia) (.pdf)
- France (Savoie) (.pdf)
- Ghana (Accra) (.pdf)
- Japan (Soka)
- Morocco (Meknes) (.pdf)
- Thailand (Bangkok) (.pdf)
- Uruguay (Montevideo) (.pdf): Spanish immersion
- All ISEP Exchange programs (students must select the “ISEP Exchange” filter to accurately view exchange program selections)
Tuition, room and meals are included in these diverse programs. Participating students are charged the same for their international semester as they would be for an on-campus semester, aside from travel-related costs such as airfare, country visas, travel insurance, etc. All applicants must pay a one-time study abroad fee.
For affiliated programs, students are charged Bridgewater’s standard tuition, fees, room and meals for the semester abroad and institutional financial aid from BC is limited to $7,000 per semester, for one semester. Tuition, room and meals are included in these programs. While some students are likely to pay more for the international semester than for an on-campus semester, the financial aid office can provide details related to your specific aid package. You will pay for all travel-related costs like airfare, country visas, travel insurance, etc. All applicants must pay a one-time study abroad fee.
Financial assistance from federal and state aid programs may be available for students participating in study abroad. The College establishes an annual limit on the availability of institutional funds to support study abroad programs. The amount of assistance available will vary by program.
Although study abroad is generally a junior-year program, you may not always be able to receive institutional assistance from the College in the semester of the year of your choice. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines eligibility for need-based federal, state and institutional aid programs.
To be eligible to participate in a semester study abroad program, unless the Director of Study Abroad grants a written exception, you must:
- Have completed at least 30 credit hours of academic work at Bridgewater College
- Have status as a junior
- Intend to return to Bridgewater College to complete college work after the study abroad experience
- Have at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average
To find out more, make an appointment to speak with Anne Marsh, Director of Study Abroad.
May Term Travel Courses
May Term travel courses offer a study abroad experience in a few short weeks. You’ll gain first-hand knowledge of another culture while traveling with a BC professor and your fellow students.
Discover more about the world around you. From England to Argentina. From Hungary to South Africa. Travel and learn with BC.
May Term is an intensive three-week class session in May, after the spring semester, focused on experiential learning courses. You’ll take only one course, typically for 3 credits.
Preregistration begins in the spring semester the year prior to the travel course, when professors often post information and hold sessions for interested students.
May 2024 Courses
| Course | Destination | Faculty |
| PWR 225X: Travel Writing | Scotland | Dr. Sam Hamilton |
| ART 307X: Visual Arts of Spain | Spain | Prof. Eric Kniss |
| BIOL 257X: Marine Ecology | Belize | Dr. Kim Bolyard |
| SPAN 307X: Cuban Life & Culture | Cuba | Dr. Alma Ramirez-Trujillo |
| HIST 330HX: Modern Britain and Oxford | United Kingdom | Dr. Brandon Marsh |
| EDUC 380X: Practicum | Kenya | Dr. Tracy Hough |
For more information or to sign up, contact the listed faculty member.
Forms to complete include:
- Agreement, Assumption of Risk and General Release Form
- Informed Consent/Privacy Act Waiver
- Privacy Act Waiver for U.S. Department of State
- Mandatory Medical Insurance Agreement
- Cancellation and Refund Policy Agreement
- Emergency Contact & Medical Form
- Conduct Record Release Authorization (for student participants only)
If you need paper copies or links to the forms, contact the Director of Study Abroad at StudyAbroad@bridgewater.edu or contact your faculty trip leader.
Mandatory insurance: All participants in May Term travel courses are enrolled in the “Comprehensive Ultimate” plan from iNext, which includes supplemental natural disaster and political evacuation coverage. If you have any questions, contact StudyAbroad@bridgewater.edu.
Cancellation insurance: International travel experiences can be expensive, so we encourage you to reduce the risk of travel interruption losses to the extent possible. Each participant is responsible for obtaining travel interruption or cancellation protection, on a voluntary basis. There are multiple sources of insurance to cover such events as illness or family emergencies that might result in the loss of trip deposits or other expenses. Should you need help identifying some plans, speak to your current insurance representative or contact the Director of Study Abroad at StudyAbroad@bridgewater.edu.
Study Abroad Scholarships
Students thinking of studying abroad should speak to the Director of Study Abroad (StudyAbroad@bridgewater.edu) and the Office of Financial Aid, as well as exploring the resources below. It is important to note that many scholarship opportunities have deadlines that differ from Bridgewater College’s internal deadline, and students are advised to research their options at least six to 12 months before the semester in which they plan to study abroad.
BC believes all students should be able to pursue their goals and dreams. Generously supported by donors, the Globalization Fund grants every semester abroad participant $1,000 towards their study abroad costs.
In addition, there are many outside scholarships available for students who want to study abroad for a semester or longer. Students who find additional scholarships or grant opportunities are encouraged to speak with the Director of Study Abroad.
If you plan to seek accommodations for a disability, please contact the disability services office as early as possible in the process.
Enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by Bridgewater College may be considered enrollment at Bridgewater College for purposes of receiving financial assistance from federal and state financial aid programs. The College establishes an annual limit on the availability of institutional funds to support study abroad programs.
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program supports students who have been traditionally underrepresented in study abroad. Applicant must be a citizen of the United States and a Federal Pell Grant recipient.
Gilman-McCain Scholarship
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Open to U.S. citizens who receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid.
Boren Awards for International Study
The Boren Award promotes long-term linguistic and cultural immersion and a commitment to federal service. Applicants must be U.S. citizens planning an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
Critical Language Scholarship
A fully-funded summer overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students interested in learning a critical language.
Fund for Education Abroad
A non-profit organization committed to increasing the opportunities for students to study abroad. Scholarships can be applied towards semester, year-long or summer programs. They also have a dedicated scholarship for LGBTQ students.
GO! Study Abroad Scholarships
GO! Overseas offers scholarships of up to $1,000 to students currently enrolled in, or in the process of applying to, study abroad programs of any duration. Awards are made on the basis of creativity, analytical thinking, and passion for studying abroad.
IIEPassport Study Abroad Funding
Rotary International
Scholarships range from $12,000 – $26,000. Deadlines vary from March to mid-July for study beginning the next academic year.
German Academic Exchange Service
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) administers a variety of scholarships as well as provides financial support to over 50,000 highly-qualified students and faculty per year for international research and study.
Scholarship Portal
Funding opportunities for studying, working or performing research in one of the European nations.
Bridging Scholarship
The Bridging Scholarship offers a stipend of $2,500 (for students on semester-long programs) or $4,000 (for students on academic year programs). Japanese language study is not a prerequisite.
Freeman-ASIA Scholarships
Freeman-ASIA provides financial support to American undergraduates with demonstrated financial need to study abroad for academic credit during the summer, semester or academic year in one of 15 countries/regions in East and Southeast Asia.
Upon their return to the U.S., students are required to promote study in Asia by sharing their experiences with peers on their home campuses and in their communities.
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Scholarship
Scholarships available through the Japanese government for study in Japan.
