About 60% of the junior class studies off-campus.  In addition to semester and year abroad, students in all classes can study on Short Term off-campus courses, taught by Bates faculty, around the US and the world, or join a Bates faculty-led Fall Semester Abroad (FSA). We are here to help you explore your options, expand your horizons, and make off-campus study a part of your Bates degree. Begin the planning process by watching this quick video below and then consulting the links.

• The Semester and Year Planning Process
• Approved Semester and Year Programs
• Off-Campus / Extra Cost Short Term Courses
• Summer Study Abroad
• World Language Scholarships

Learning Goals for Off-Campus Study

The following learning goals are intended to guide the intentions and values as related to off-campus study. These are applied through policy development, programming opportunities, for reflection, and are meant to help guide students, faculty, and staff as they engage in off-campus study as a member of Bates College.

Personal Growth and Reflection 

• Reflect on personal values, priorities, and identity through cultural immersion and experience growth in these areas.
• Develop independence, adaptability, and resilience by stepping outside one’s own personal and cultural comfort zones.

Purposeful Cultural and Linguistic Engagement 

• Actively engage with local culture, taking steps to break through cultural barriers to foster genuine connections and experiences.
• When possible, live and engage like a local; by immersing yourself in the local language through coursework, daily interactions, and cultural exchange.
• Engage in purposeful professional development that connects academic learning with real-world applications, fostering a sense of contribution and empowerment in future endeavors.

Global Academic Citizenship

• Purposefully navigate and appreciate the challenges of different learning environments that enhance critical thinking and adaptability in new contexts.
• Develop a nuanced understanding of global and local topics, including privilege and power in social-historical contexts and topics that expand your awareness of the world and global citizenship.
• Return to Bates ready to share what you’ve learned and experienced in order to contribute to the transformative experience of Bates College academics.

Developed by the Off-Campus Study Committee, 2024-2025.