• Do I get to pick where I intern abroad?
• I’ve heard about changes to the finance internships in London. Can you explain?
• My GPA is X. Will I get into Y study abroad program?
• What if I don’t meet the minimum GPA requirement for a program? Should I still apply?
• I am in Questrom. Will I be at a disadvantage if I apply for a non-Management track?
• Will someone in the UDC or Study Abroad read my application essay and give me feedback?
• For the Study Abroad application, does my resume need to be converted to a C.V.?
• For the Study Abroad application, what should I include in my language writing sample?
• For the Study Abroad application, how do I complete the Language Recommendation Form?
• For the Study Abroad application, who should provide the recommendation(s)?
• For the Study Abroad application, should I provide one or two references?
• For the Study Abroad application, does listing a second choice impact how my application is viewed?
• How will studying abroad impact my ability to get a job or internship upon my return?
• Will my grades from my Study Abroad program impact my BU GPA?
• What do I do if my questions are not answered here?

Do I get to pick where I intern abroad? The study abroad track that you select directly corresponds to the internship that you will do, i.e. students on a marketing/advertising track will complete a marketing or advertising internship. In addition, you may share with Study Abroad the specific field in which you would like to intern—marketing, finance, human resources, etc.—and are likely to be matched accordingly. You are welcome to share additional preferences; however, there is no guarantee that they will be met. As a result, you will need to be somewhat flexible about your placement. The on-site program coordinators will use your preferences as well as your provided resume to set up interviews at different companies for you, so come prepared. If you’ve never interviewed before, consider doing a mock interview at the Feld Career Center before departing BU. Top

I’ve heard about changes to the finance internships in London. Can you explain? Many banks in London have shifted their internal policies regarding taking on students for short-term internship placements. As a result, it’s unlikely that Questrom students will be placed at a major bank, especially if they don’t have previous experience interning within the finance industry. EUSA, BU’s internship placement resource, put together a document explaining the breadth of alternative internships in the finance industry. Click here to learn more. Top

My GPA is X. Will I get into Y study abroad program? The popularity and thus competitiveness of each program varies by semester, so it’s hard to give a definitive answer. If you meet the minimum required GPA for a program, you have a good chance of getting in, bearing in mind that the London Internship Program, though lacking a GPA requirement, tends to be very competitive, especially in the spring (3.0 GPA and higher). Advisors in the UDC can tell you what programs have been less popular of late, but no one will know definitively if you will be admitted until your application has been reviewed. As a result, the UDC recommends listing an alternate program in case you are not selected for your first choice. Top

What if I don’t meet the minimum GPA requirement for a program? Should I still apply? Many of the Management Internship Programs require a certain GPA to participate due to agreements with our partner universities abroad. If you have a GPA that is close to the listed requirement with strong grades recently, it’s worth contacting BU Study Abroad to discuss your interest in these programs. It would also be wise to pick a backup option and to apply early. In investigating back up options, the regular internship programs in Dublin, Los Angeles, Madrid, Padua, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, and Washington, D.C. all offer internships in business and/or marketing and may be a little less competitive. Top

I am in Questrom. Will I be at a disadvantage if I apply for a non-Management track? No, as long you have the pre-requisite courses for the program to which you are applying, you are not at a disadvantage. Top

Will someone in the UDC or Study Abroad read my application essay and give me feedback?Neither office is able to provide this type of service as it would require many more staff members to handle all such requests. Feel free to ask the Study Abroad Office clarifying questions about the essay questions if needed, but plan to have a trusted friend read through your essay(s) to give you feedback. Top

For the Study Abroad application, does my resume need to be converted to a C.V.? The application requests either a resume or a C.V. One format is not preferred to the other; however, a polished document is a must as it will be used to help secure your internship. If you have not already, be sure to work with the Feld Career Center to get your resume/C.V. reviewed. Top

For the Study Abroad application, what should I include in my language writing sample? The writing sample may be about any topic. It’s required simply as a means of discovering your current writing ability in the respective language. Most students use a paper (or a portion of a paper) from class to fulfill the requirement. Top

For the Study Abroad application, how do I complete the Language Recommendation Form?For the Language Recommendation Form, you simply nominate a language professor (one who teaches the language you will be using while abroad) that you’ve had at Boston University to fill out the form. Study Abroad will then send that professor the Language Recommendation Form to complete on your behalf. If you have not studied the language you will be speaking abroad while at BU, please contact the Study Abroad office to explain your situation. Top

For the Study Abroad application, who should provide the recommendation(s)? You are only required to provide one recommendation, and it must be from a faculty member. The faculty member does not need to be in the field in which you intend to intern; however, he/she should be able to speak highly of your academic motivation. A second reference is optional, and it may be written by a person of your choosing. Top

For the Study Abroad application, should I provide one or two references? Questrom encourages students, particularly those whose GPAs are not above a 3.3, to include a second recommendation. This second reference may be from a person of your choosing and—as long as it is positive—can only boost your candidacy for study abroad.Top

For the Study Abroad application, does listing a second choice impact how my application is viewed? No, listing a second choice will in no way impact Study Abroad’s decision about whether you are admitted to your first choice program. You may list as many alternate programs as you would like. Studying abroad is perhaps the most amazing experience available to you during college. Do not miss the opportunity to go by putting all of your eggs in one basket.  Top

How will studying abroad impact my ability to get a job or internship upon my return? Employers tend to look favorably upon study abroad experiences; however, studying abroad during a period of recruitment for internships or jobs in your field can make life a bit tricky. As a result, the UDC recommends planning ahead by meeting with the Feld Career Center early in the semester before you go abroad to learn what you need to do to be prepared. Top

Will my grades from my Study Abroad program impact my BU GPA? Yes, if you are studying on a Boston University program, your grades and courses will appear on your BU transcript in the same way that courses taken on campus appear. Top

What do I do if my questions are not answered here? If you are curious about what courses you will take and how they will fit in with your graduation plan, call the Questrom Undergraduate Academic & Career Development Center to speak with an advisor (617-353-2650). If you have questions specific to the application form, call the Study Abroad Office (617-353-9888). Top