Global engagement is a key priority for Bridgewater State University. The Minnock Institute for Global Engagement is committed to creating and fostering a learning environment where students and faculty from other countries interact with our own students and faculty to help make BSU a truly global campus.
At the Minnock Institute, the offices of Global Studies, International Student and Scholar Services and Study Abroad coordinate new and important initiatives and provide the campus community with opportunities for academic programs, travel, research and community service. The Minnock Institute serves as a hub of internationalization on campus, a regional resource for global engagement, and the facilitator of more than 50 regional and international partnerships.
Global Studies
Global Programs promotes global awareness and supports cross-cultural communication and understanding. To these ends, it works to internationalize the curriculum, support globally engaged scholarly, cultural, and extra-curricular experiences for students, expand faculty research and teaching opportunities worldwide.
On campus, Global Studies helps to develop and promote eight interdisciplinary global minors and international studies programs, course offerings across academic departments, and global-culture requirements in the core curriculum. It also coordinates the activities of institutes, centers, and special initiatives to facilitate co-curricular global learning opportunities.
Global Studies Academic Minors
- African Studies
- Asian Studies
- Canadian Studies
- Global Religious Studies
- Irish Studies
- Latin American & Caribbean Studies
- Middle East & North African Studies
- Native American and Indigenous Studies
For more information, please contact the Academic Director of Global Services, Arthur Lizie.
International Student and Scholar Services
International Student and Scholar Services provides high-quality services and programs to all international students and scholars at Bridgewater State University. BSU hosts approximately 150 international students and scholars each year through international partnerships and exchanges, direct enrollments, degree-seeking enrollment, and short-term study programs. We offer cultural programs and opportunities for engagement with the campus, the community, and the region. Our mission is to enhance the educational experiences of our students and scholars and facilitate positive growth opportunities while continuing to evolve as a global community. International Student and Scholar Services also manages the International Scholar House for visiting academic scholars and faculty from all over the world.
For more information, please contact International Student and Scholar Services Director Jennifer Currie.
Study Abroad
BSU has a long commitment to global engagement and study abroad opportunities. In 1977, the first faculty-led travel program to France was offered by the Department of Art. Today, Study Abroad offers a full range of programs in all BSU academic disciplines — students are now studying across five continents in more than 50 countries.
Study Abroad is an academic high-impact practice that promotes student success. It is a great way to experience a new culture and gain academic and professional experience. There is no better way to learn about yourself, expand your worldview, acquire marketable skills, and develop the habits of mind and action that will prepare you to tackle the global issues facing our time.
Students can choose semesters abroad, travel courses, study away programs, international student teaching, international internships and global service-learning programs. Study Abroad provides advising, sponsors educational activities, and coordinates pre-departure and re-entry programming for our students.
More than 2,500 BSU students have studied abroad since 2013.
For more information, please contact Study Abroad Director Mike Sandy.