All Programs

Two concurrent semester programs; similar curriculum and coursework; one program based at Kruger, the other at West Coast National Park. South African eco-systems, wildlife conservation. Academically serious; significant field work and data collection. 5 day excursion to Cape Town. Basic housing in tents and cabins. Pre-requisite: 2 semesters of biology, ecology or other related science.

Social and Political Development; a dynamic, multicultural city; academic excursions to Johannesburg and Mozambique; Zulu language; independent study project or internship. Home stay in township; briefer rural home stays. A dynamic, multicultural city with (similar to much of South Africa) high crime rates that require careful attention. Students are encouraged to apply for SIT scholarships.

Focus on the challenges posed by underdevelopment, globalization, extreme inequality, and the legacies of apartheid. Very hot and arid. One required course: Racism and Resistance in Southern Africa and the U.S. Internship option. Academic excursions to Cape Town and Johannesburg (week long home stay in Soweto Township). Students are encouraged to investigate the Augsburg scholarship opportunities.

Natural Resource Management; experiential biology; course in French for Natural Sciences; community ecology project during rural home stay. Previous biology/environmental studies coursework required. Students are encouraged to apply for SIT scholarships.

Required core course: Culture, Environment and Development of East Africa; and Swahili language; 2 electives. Excursions to rural village, Maasai homestead, Mombasa, Tanzania. Based in a gated campus in Karen (suburban Nairobi). Nairobi has high crime rates that require careful attention and strict adherence to program safety precautions. Previous coursework in African studies required. Airfare grants; lower program fee for Bates students. Early app required.

Large English-language university (total enrollment: 30,000) on outskirts of Accra; broad range of courses. Required Twi language course; Students must take at least one course that focuses on Ghana and/or West Africa. Internship option. For the independent student. Students are encouraged to apply for CIEE scholarships.

Affiliated with the University of Peradeniya. Required courses: conversational Sinhala and Sri Lanka Studies seminar culminating in month long independent study project. Academic excursions throughout Sri Lanka including Jaffna and the Eastern province. Electives in Buddhist studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Women’s Studies and Environmental Studies (Spring only).

Politics and Religion; travel to India to visit Tibetan exile communities; high altitude trekking. Tibetan language; independent study project or internship; early application required. Students are encouraged to apply for SIT scholarships.

Gender and development focus; Nepali language; independent study project or internship. Based in Kathmandu; village home stay; brief trekking excursion; week long excursion to India. Students are encouraged to apply for SIT scholarships.

Herding culture and development themes; independent study project or internship. Excursion to Lake Baikal region of Russia. Cold and remote; program based in capital; 2 home stays with nomadic herders. Riding lessons part of the curriculum. Not for vegans. Students are encouraged to apply for SIT scholarships.

At Yonsei University. Required Korean language course and one elective directly related to Korea, in addition to three elective courses. Students are encouraged to apply for CIEE scholarships.

Arts and culture of a traditional society affected by tourism and development. Independent study project or Internship. Based in Bedulu, a large village that is one of the earliest sites of Balinese Hinduism. Two week excursion to Java. Students are encouraged to apply for SIT scholarships.

Intense program in Buddhist studies; Tibetan or Hindi language; independent study. Housing at a guest house in the Burmese Vihara (monastery). Students live according to Buddhist ethical principles. Serious meditation practice. Hot and humid. Orientation in London and Delhi.

Intensive language. Optional January term before Spring semester. Based at Capital Normal Univ. Poor air quality, a concern, esp. in Winter semester. CET scholarships are available.

Separate campus in large city; close to Osaka/Kyoto. Courses with Japanese students in Fall; competitive admissions, early application required.

A semester program with emphasis on language study, near Osaka. Living with a family is most rewarding (as well as required by Bates). Early application is best. Fall: late-August to mid-December; Spring: late-January to early-June.

Excellent program in historic, medium size city, quality peer group of students and faculty; elective courses taught in English on various topics. Early application. Associated Kyoto Program (AKP) a single fee, passed on to students which covers most costs. Bates uses this to calculate cost of attendance and adds other relevant items, including the off-campus study fee.Fall semester: 1 year of Japanese required; Japanese students are on campus throughout the fall semester. Spring semester: 3 semesters of Japanese required.

Human/Environment interactions; academic excursions to Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area; participants camp in the parks. Lots of moving around from site to site. Independent study project. Prior coursework in environmental studies, biology, sociology, anthropology, or international relations required. Program consistently evaluated highly by Bates students. Early application required. Students are encouraged to apply for SIT scholarships.

Large university; adjacent to dynamic city, quality academic program. Studio Art; Dance. IFSA program costs $9,000+ extra (not addressed by Bates financial aid). Many students have positive evaluations of IFSA services: pre-departure info; on-site orientation; day and weekend excursions; on-site support staff. Search the Course Catalog. Course selection: “Subject” = US “course.” 50 points per semester. Level 2 and 3 = Bates 200 level (perhaps 300 level). Level 4 = Bates 300 level. “Australia Now” is considered a first year level course; Credit not awarded for courses in Faculty of Education designed primarily for study abroad students. Total enrollment: 40,000; # of Americans: 400

Large university; adjacent to dynamic city, quality academic program. Higher cost for room, board and personal expenses. Residential colleges best housing option; early app required. Total enr.: 44,000; # of Americans: 400. Search the Course Catalog. Course selection: “Subject” = US “course.” 50 points per semester. Level 2 and 3 = Bates 200 level (perhaps 300 level). Level 4 = Bates 300 level. “Australia Now” is considered a first year level course; Credit not awarded for courses in Faculty of Education designed primarily for study abroad students.