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Study Abroad

Thinking about studying away from Stanford?

The Bing Overseas Study Program (BOSP) offers quarters abroad in twelve cities around the world, including summer options in Oaxaca, Cape Town, and Santiago, as well as shorter Overseas Seminars. In addition, you can do a quarter in Monterey with Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford-at-Sea (half in Monterey, half on a sailing ship in the South Pacific), a quarter in Hawaii with Earth Systems, or Stanford-in-Washington (policy-themed, plus a new arts-themed option in winter), or Stanford-in-NYC (launched Fall 2015 with an arts theme). EALC majors and minors studying at the Bing Overseas Program in Kyoto or Beijing may receive partial credit towards their undergraduate program requirements. For more details, please contact Cyril Millendez, Assistant Director of Student Services.

Bing Overseas Studies Program: Hong Kong

Stanford's Hong Kong program, opened in Autumn of 2019, aims to introduce students to the complex diversity and importance of the Sinophone world. The location will provide students with exposure to courses within the social sciences and China Studies, as well as integration into Hong Kong university life. For more information on the Hong Kong program, please visit BOSP: Hong Kong.

Bing Overseas Studies Program: Kyoto

With its history as Japan’s former Imperial capital for over a millennium, Kyoto is rightly famed for its ancient shrines and temples (which outnumber its convenience stores), its traditional ryokan inns and its centuries-old craftsmanship. Even today the city retains its status as the cultural capital of the nation. Despite its old-world feel Kyoto is an energetic city looking firmly to the future, with an impressive list of high tech companies making their home here. The Stanford in Kyoto center is situated inside Doshisha University, on the northern edge of the old Imperial Palace gardens in the heart of the city. Students can take Winter and/or Spring Quarter academic programs, as well as an optional 10-week summer internship at leading companies and institutions all over Japan. The curriculum typically combines intensive Japanese language study with Japan-focused content courses on culture, contemporary affairs, business and technology. For more information on the Kyoto program, please visit BOSP: Kyoto.

Non-Stanford Overseas Studies Programs

Undergraduates who have studied or plan on studying abroad through a non-Stanford overseas program should consult with Cyril Millendez, Assistant Director of Student Services, on whether or not they may be eligible to receive partial credit through that undergraduate program. In the past, we have allowed partial credit for students who have studied at the Inter-University Center (IUC) for Japanese Language Studies and the Inter-University Program (IUP) for Chinese Language Studies.

Tips for Advanced Planning

  • Explore the BOSP website for information. Pay attention to what quarter programs are offered, and whether a particular quarter has a certain theme.
  • Attend an info session on Study Abroad or about a particular program.
  • See what classes each option offers (BOSP publishes classes over a year in advance).
  • Identify language requirements or other prerequisites for your preferred program(s) and work out a plan to meet and go beyond the prerequisites. The better your language skills, the more you will get out of being abroad (and the more competitive your application will be).
  • Talk to people who’ve gone on the program--BOSP and several other programs list official Peer Advisors who are available.
  • Develop your background knowledge. This might mean: taking related classes; picking related topics for a free-choice research paper; related internships or service. (Discussing such items can strengthen an application.)
  • Talk to faculty associated with the program.
  • Apply! Remember to check the application deadlines - usually they are at least two quarters in advance, sometimes more.