Study Abroad at Lesley University

At Lesley, the world is your classroom

Study at Lesley goes well beyond the Boston/Cambridge classrooms, as demonstrated by Early Childhood Education majors Courtney Hopkins and Kelsey Fitzgerald, who studied in Rome during the spring 2011 semester.

Courtney says, "Little did I know how my major would be incorporated into my study abroad experience. During my first weeks in Rome, I felt like I was piecing together a language puzzle, learning "picture" words first, then verbs, and finally putting together phrases and sentences. Being immersed in an unfamiliar language brought me back to what I was learning the semester before about language development in small children. My study abroad experience gave me the opportunity to put myself in the shoes of my future students and better understand what they will encounter with the puzzle of language acquisition."

Kelsey (bottom) and Courtney at the Colosseum

What is Study Abroad?

Study abroad refers to credit-bearing educational programs that take place outside of the United States. Students usually study abroad for one semester or a full academic year, but also may participate in shorter term courses during the January term, March break, or over the summer. Most students study abroad during their junior year.

Why Study Abroad?

An enriching experience that fosters personal and intellectual growth, study abroad builds a sophisticated worldview and increases career potential. You will gain travel experience that goes beyond tourism and develop insights that will stay with you for your entire life.

Study abroad will help you acquire:

• first-hand knowledge of other cultures, people and language
• an enhanced perspective on your own culture
• increased confidence and analytical skills
• international knowledge
• better intercultural communication skills

Where should I go?

The destinations to choose from are as wide-ranging as the reasons to study abroad and the benefits to be gained. In recent years, Lesley students have studied in numerous locations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Lesley enjoys affiliate relationships with the following providers and institutions. While there are benefits for choosing to study with one of our affiliates, you may petition for approval to study with other programs as well.

• Spend summer 2012 in Guyana or Spain
• Academic Programs International (API) (locations in Europe and Latin America)
• American Institute for Foreign Study (programs in numerous European countries, India, New Zealand, and South Africa)
• American University in Paris
• Arcadia University - The College for Global Studies (programs worldwide)
• AustraLearn (in addition to Australia, offers programs in New Zealand, Fiji, Asia and Europe)
• Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE)
• Ecole de Communication Visuelle (School of Visual Communication), Paris
• Freiburg University of Education, Freiburg Germany
• International Partnership for Service Learning (Europe, Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and US locations)
• Living Routes (ecovillages)
• Lorenzo de Medici Institute (Florence, Rome, Venice and Tuscania, Italy)
• Orebro University Exchange Program (Sweden)
• Semester at Sea - Institute for Shipboard Education
• School for International Training (SIT) (programs in 40+ countries)
• University of the Arts, Bremen 
• Washington Semester at American University (Washington DC)
• William de Kooning Academy at Hogeschool, Rotterdam (Holland)

How do I get started?

• Read this site in full, as well as our Study Abroad Planning Guide and Choosing a Program.
• Schedule a meeting with the Study Abroad Office at least a semester before you plan to go abroad
• The Study Abroad Office is at 29 Mellen Street, third floor. To ensure that someone is available to meet with you, please send an email to lcexchange@lesley.edu to schedule a time to meet.

Hear what more of our students have to say...

“Study abroad gives students a unique opportunity to broaden their perspectives by stepping outside of the familiar. By exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing new cultures, it becomes possible to foster much-needed cultural understanding throughout the world.”
Joanna Greene, Global Studies Major

“If I had known what my semester was going to be like, I would have stayed for another. The experience will enrich your life more than you could ever imagine and should not not be missed by any college student. I am proud to say that I call Barcelona my second home.”
Scott Wheeler, Business Management Major

“Lesley has given me the courage and support to go and travel.”
Lauren Murphy, Holistic Psychology Major

Check out study abroad posts on the Lesley Public Post —Lesley University's student-run news blog...

Studying Abroad: http://lesleypublicpost.com/2010/04/studying-abroad/

London Travel Study 2009: http://lesleypublicpost.com/2010/05/london-travel-study-2009/