Lead a Study Abroad Program

It’s no secret that studying abroad is one of the most transformative experiences available for students—but it’s also an incredible opportunity for Ball State faculty. Teaching abroad allows faculty to immerse themselves in a new culture, enhance their research through international perspectives, and develop unique courses that enrich their academic portfolio. Faculty are some of our most important partners in making Study Abroad at Ball State a success.

There are two main ways for faculty to participate as a study abroad leader. Faculty-led study abroad (field studies) have faculty teach a course or courses abroad to a group of Ball State students. These programs are typically short-term, lasting two to six weeks during the summer or seven to ten days over spring or winter break. The BSU-in program offers a semester-long multidisciplinary experience where faculty teach Ball State courses in an immersive, international academic setting.

Faculty-led (Field Study)

Our faculty directors are adventurous, flexible, and adaptable—you'll spend lots of time with students, both in academic and non-academic roles. In addition to teaching course(s) abroad, you'll help students navigate cultural competencies, lost passports, language barriers, homesickness, and more. 

Directing a faculty-led study abroad program also means putting your organizational skills to good use, as you’ll develop a budget and stick to it. You’ll also be the primary source of program promotion and information.  We look forward to partnering with you toward an experience that is both student-centered and meaningful for you!

If you are considering offering a new or continuing program, please express interest by contacting Ashley Coker, Director of Study Abroad.

Search Current Faculty-led Programs

Faculty application timeline
Express Interest / Schedule Planning Session Submit Finalized Proposal, Budget, and Syllabi Open for Student Applications

Summer Programs

 July 1 (year before) Sept. 1 (year before) Nov. 1 (year before)

Spring Break Programs (Embedded Spring Term)

 May 1 (year before) July 1 (year before) Sept. 1 (year before)

Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Winter Break, or any Other Terms

 At least one year before the term begins TBD TBD

Program Development Site Visit:

Faculty are invited to submit a request for program development site visit funds from the Rinker Center for Global Affairs. Site visit funds are limited and applicants are encouraged to request funds as early as possible. Preference will be given to new programs, programs in underrepresented locations, programs with strategies to increase participation among underrepresented students, and first-time program directors. 

-> Program Development Request Form

The Study Abroad Office is always looking for faculty to join BSU-in teaching teams for future terms/locations. If you’re interested in teaching abroad for a whole semester at a BSU-in site, please fill out this interest form.

If you have any further questions about BSU-in teaching teams, contact Ashley Coker, the Director of Study Abroad.

BSU Students, BSU Faculty, BSU Courses, BSU Prices!

BSU-in is a study abroad initiative designed to address critical challenges and opportunities in international education. In short, it is a Study-Abroad-Office-directed, BSU-faculty-led, semester-long study abroad program. This program emerges from a commitment to increasing student access, providing programs of the highest academic value, and keeping study abroad enrollments within the institution. 

When the Study Abroad Office surveyed current students about their interest in study abroad, we got the clear message-- students DO want to study abroad, and the primary barriers seem to be cost and relevance to degree plan. BSU-in addresses both of these concerns! It is priced to students at the exact same cost of a Ball State on-campus semester, almost to the dollar-- it does NOT cost extra! And it features Ball State courses and Ball State faculty, with an emphasis on UCC courses and intro-level courses that might satisfy requirements for just about every Ball State undergrad. It also features flexibility-- students are allowed to take an online course or two while they are abroad, which means students from many different majors may be able to study abroad for a whole semester without setting them behind on their progress toward graduation.

Housing, flights, excursions, and ground transportation are covered by Study Abroad. We will also provide a modest stipend to assist with other incidental costs. Salary compensation is through the academic unit-- this program is loaded through the academic units, so your salary should remain constant.

Faculty for BSU-in are selected collaboratively between Study Abroad and the academic units. The most desirable BSU-in faculty members are those who can teach at least one UCC course-- and even better if you can offer more than one UCC course (from multiple tiers or domains). We can also consider non-UCC courses on a case-by-case basis, especially if the non-UCC course is in addition to at least one UCC course.

One of the most important factors in selection of the courses and faculty is the enthusiastic endorsement from your Chair. We would strongly suggest discussing with your unit leader before formally indicating interest to Study Abroad.  

Locations for BSU-in will change each term (and some locations may be recurring, depending on student and faculty interest).

Fall 2024 is in Puebla, Mexico.
Spring 2025 is in Alcalá, Spain.
Fall 2025 is in Seoul, South Korea. (indicate your interest in teaching at BSU-in Seoul)

Future locations beyond Fall 2025 have not yet been selected. You are welcome to indicate interest at any time, even if it's for a future term/location.