BCA Barcelona, Spain

·  Pursue a true immersion experience by studying abroad in an English city not frequently visited by tourists or study abroad students! Cheltenham is known for Regency architecture, beautiful parks, fine shopping, live entertainment, a world-famous horse racing course, international festivals and proximity to the beautiful Cotswolds region.

·  Befriend British students as you live and study together and experience English daily life through the lens of your peers. Join one of more than 80 different sports clubs and student societies at the university from football and snowboarding to music, acting and film.

·  Become a part of the local community by participating in one of the many festivals that Cheltenham hosts each year or joining RAG (Raise and Giving) the official fundraising body of the University of Gloucestershire’s Students' Union that supports and connects you to local charities and initiatives.

Experience Cheltenham with the help of your Resident Director, who was born and raised there. Journey with your RD to different local treasures, historic sites and famous landmarks, while reflecting on your experience and deepening your understanding and appreciation of your new home. The BCA signature excursion may vary by semester but in the past included a multi-day visit to London. More than just visiting famous cultural sites students explore the often-hidden side of London through an experience with Unseen Tours, a social enterprise organization that works with homeless, ex-homeless and vulnerably housed Londoners to lead tours around specific neighborhoods.

At the University of Gloucestershire, you will study alongside British students and be among a diverse student body composed of international students from more than 40 countries. BCA students are often the only American students in their classes making it easy to connect to local students and faculty and create an opportunity for cultural exchange and dialogue. The university’s wide array of courses in many disciplines makes it an excellent location for you to fulfill major or general education requirements. Film studies, sport & exercise science and education are some of the top disciplines at the university.

Cheltenham is a cultural hub! The city hosts more than 40 festivals throughout the year, such as the fall literature and spring jazz festivals, attracting top international writers, musicians and professionals. Some BCA students have even presented original work as part of festival events! The city is also known for and very proud of its gardens, green spaces and sustainability efforts. You can connect to that passion for gardening and meet new people by helping to maintain the Edible Garden on campus alongside tutors, staff and fellow students.

· Develop meaningful connections with indigenous communities during the BCA excursion to the Amazon and learn directly from them about the issues that impact their lives and community, from matters of environmental justice to the tension between modernization and traditional practices.

· Get involved in the Quito community by interning or volunteering at a variety of agencies, non-profits or foundations that work with different communities in Quito. Your Resident Director can connect you to community partners where you can learn about their mission and work and the ways you can support and learn from them during your time abroad.

· Live with an Ecuadorian family to learn about local customs, traditions and food, reflect on the socio-economic diversity of Ecuador, and develop your Spanish-language proficiency.

 

Your Resident Director will guide you throughout the semester, helping you understand and process your experiences. Together you will traverse the historical center of Quito, visit a cloud forest, hike around volcanic lakes, and visit the renowned Galapagos Islands all while exploring how your visits and presence impacts the local culture and environment. The BCA signature excursion varies by term, but in the past has been a multi-day visit to the Ecuadorian Amazon Basin to meet and learn about indigenous communities, participate in a homestay, and learn about the contemporary issues that threaten their culture and way of life.

Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) hosts approximately 6,000 students, including 1,000 international students, across its various campuses. USFQ is ranked in the top three universities in Ecuador and offers areas of study across a wide array of academic disciplines making it a perfect location to fulfill major or general education requirements. You can also apply for the Latitude Zero: Ecuador Research Initiative (L0ERI) which pairs you with a USFQ faculty member completing research in their field. Or, you can challenge yourself and connect to the community through an internship in education, social sciences or health professions.

 

There are many ways for you to become involved in the community and to learn about Ecuadorian culture and traditions from local people. You can join the university’s Ecua-buddies program where you are matched with an Ecuadorian student and encouraged to do fun activities together. Living with a host family gives you the chance learn about holiday celebrations, family customs and tasty traditional dishes! If you’re interested in volunteering, there are placements available with local non-profit organizations such as a medical clinic, refugee services agency or an agency working on development through sport.