Getting Started > Choosing a Program
There are over 250 approved programs in about 70 countries for you to choose from during the academic year. Please refer to the Study Abroad Approved Program List on our website. The University Curriculum Committee has approved these programs as eligible to receive Brandeis creditAll of the programs on the Study Abroad Approved Program List allow you to continue your academic learning in the context of another culture and earn credit toward your degree. However, there is a great diversity of programs available to Brandeis students in terms of classroom settings, housing options, course availability, location, and classmates. The Study Abroad Approved Program List can be divided into these categories:
University Based Programs
If you choose to study at an overseas University you will enroll in regular classes and study alongside students from the host country. This option offers the advantage of full cultural immersion. This also permits you to choose from a wide variety of courses in many disciplines. Visiting students are expected to perform at the same level as their native classmates, and will be graded as such. In most overseas universities the majority of each course grade will depend heavily on the outcome of a final exam or paper and less on assignments throughout the semester. In addition, classes will follow the local academic calendar and semesters may start earlier or later than universities in the U.S. University Based Programs normally offer housing in dorms or in student apartments. Some universities only offer housing in a designated international dorm. There are two different ways you may study at an overseas university:
- In some countries you may apply to and enroll directly in a university. Generally, overseas universities do not offer the same level of support services that students are accustomed to receiving at Brandeis University. However, there are usually international student offices that do provide some services to visiting students.
Examples: London School of Economics; University of Melbourne
- In Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.K. you may apply to universities through American intermediaries, such as Arcadia, IFSA Butler, and interstudy. These program providers offer services such as an arrival orientation in the host country and assistance with course selection, registration and housing. These organizations also employ a resident director and other staff in each city or country who provide on-site support.
Examples: interstudy/ Univ. of Cape Town; Arcadia/ Univ. College Dublin
Please see the section below on Study Center Based Programs for more information on other ways to take some of your courses at an overseas university.
Study Center Based Programs
Some academic institutions have study centers overseas where they host programs specifically designed for international students. These programs offer classes in English or the local language that are taught by local and/or visiting faculty. Courses are generally structured similarly to American courses, with a syllabus, regular assignments, and frequent exams. These programs are also more likely to follow the U.S. semester calendar. If you chose to study on one of these programs you will be taking courses with other foreign students. Most of these programs offer housing with homestay families, a few offer housing in student apartments.
Examples: IES in Grenada, Spain; Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies
In some countries where English is not the primary native language these programs may also allow students with adequate language abilities to take one or more courses at a local university alongside local students.
Examples: IFSA Butler Argentine University Program; CIEE programs in many countries
Field Based Programs
Study abroad on a Field Based Program offers you the opportunity to approach academic learning in a new way. These physical and social science programs take advantage of their locations in the field to engage students in experiential, interdisciplinary learning. Most programs have very specific themes such as marine biology or multicultural society. These programs tend to be small, usually accommodating 25 or fewer students from the U.S. who take all of their courses together. Courses are taught by a combination of professors, local experts and working professionals. Most class time is spent out in the field, learning about the local culture and history, observing, collecting data and interacting directly with the subject matter you are studying. Courses tend to have regularly scheduled assignments and exams. Assessment is often based on the quality of observation and analysis demonstrated in your work. These programs tend to follow a U.S. academic calendar. Housing options vary depending on location. Many programs offer a homestays or rustic accommodations in field stations.
Examples: SIT: Public Health, South Africa; School for Field Studies: Sustainable Development, Costa Rica
Internships
Internships offer a unique way to immerse yourself in the local society and gain a deeper understanding of a particular field. Several programs around the world sponsor academic internships that allow students to gain real word experience with a private firm, an artistic association, a government body or a non government organization. Please note that not all internships offered by programs on the approved list meet Brandeis’ requirements for credit. Internships, independent study courses, and fieldwork experience must have approval from the Study Abroad office in order to be accepted for credit. More information on internships, field study projects, and independent study projects can be found on our website:
Examples: Boston University Sydney Internship; University of Haifa
Brandeis University Study Abroad Affiliated Programs
Brandeis University does not sponsor its own study abroad programs during the academic year, however there are programs officially affiliated with Brandeis. Please refer to the Approved Program List to determine which programs and tracks are approved for the academic year.
The affiliated programs include:
Denmark’s International Study Program (DIS)
Students can spend a year, semester, or summer studying in Copenhagen, Denmark. Marine Biology, Multicultural Education, Pre-Med, International Business and general social sciences are all possible fields of study on this program. Brandeis students are eligible for an $850 Travel Grant.
interstudy
This program offers students the opportunity to study in South Africa. Special scholarships are available for Brandeis University students.
School for Field Studies (SFS)
Study abroad programs focusing on environmental, community service and governmental policy issues are available to Brandeis students in Australia, British West Indies, Costa Rica, Kenya, and Mexico during the academic year and summer.
University College London (UCL)
Students on this program have the opportunity to benefit from studying in a different educational system as fully integrated students in classes with British and other international students in the heart of London.
Brandeis Berlin Summer Program
Students have the opportunity to explore modern day Berlin and its Jewish heritage while earning Brandeis University purpose credit during this five-week summer program in Germany. More information on this opportunity can be found here.