Our planet is now more interconnected than it has ever been. Economic, political and cultural events anywhere in the world can have a direct impact on each of our lives. Therefore, students must receive as much international exposure as possible during their undergraduate years.
At BGSU, students have many opportunities to “internationalize” their education, ranging from formal academic study to personal contacts and extracurricular activities.
Africana Studies investigates the historical, artistic, cultural and political heritage of people of African descent throughout the world. This major strengthens students’ liberal arts background while preparing them to succeed in a diverse world.
BGSU is one of the few Ohio universities that offer an Asian Studies major. Students gain a broad knowledge of the cultures and societies of Asia, an in-depth knowledge of one of the primary countries and basic skills in an Asian language.
Canada is Ohio’s most important international business partner. BGSU’s Canadian Studies Program offers courses in disciplines ranging from economics to literature, leading to a minor in Canadian Studies.
International Business covers a broad range of academic areas: politics, economics, law, culture, religion, value systems, geography, history and language.
The International Studies major seeks to provide students with the education needed to understand and analyze a continually evolving region of the world and its role in a global context. Students who complete this interdisciplinary, individualized major often go on to work in international politics, business or development.
This interdisciplinary planned curriculum within the Spanish major includes language and culture courses as well as courses in Latin American history, political science, geography and ethnic studies.
A working knowledge of a foreign language is essential for any major with an international focus. Speaking a language also provides a unique insight into another culture. The College of Arts and Sciences offers courses in Chinese (minor), Japanese, Italian (minor), French, German, Russian and Spanish (major).
Bowling Green State University recognizes the importance of globalized study and is committed to international education. By the year 2015, the University hopes 10 percent of its undergraduate students will study abroad. To encourage this, academic study abroad experiences bearing three or more credits will count as fulfilling the International Perspectives requirement for purposes of General Education. BGSU sponsors 21 semester or academic year programs in 16 countries world-wide and 12 short-term programs in 11 countries world-wide. Each program is coordinated by a Bowling Green faculty member under the guidance and supervision of the Education Abroad Office. Students receive BGSU credit when studying abroad on a BGSU program and will be registered under a BGSU course number. Bowling Green students may be able to use their institutional, state and federal financial aid when participating on Bowling Green programs and education abroad opportunities are available to students of any major or minor.
Undergraduate students can live in La Comunidad in Offenhauer West. Spanish is the official language of communication in all public areas of the residence, which provides a supportive environment for students who want to speak Spanish outside the classroom.
Housed in Compton Hall, the International Living Center encourages U.S. and international students to interact with people from other countries and cultures.
Undergraduate women share the centrally located French House with a cultural director from a French-speaking country. Two years of high school French required.
More than 575 students come to BGSU from nearly 80 countries around the world. The Center for International Programs operates all the current international student programs and services, from application and immigration to orientation and on-going student support services. You can expect to meet many students from China, India, Canada, France, Russia, Japan, Brazil, Romania, South Korea, Kenya and many other countries. The world comes to you at BGSU!
The Center for International Programs sponsors and advises the World Student Association, which is open to international and American students interested in promoting intercultural understanding and awareness. Each year the WSA plans a variety of events including special coffee hours, each of which features a particular country, an International Fair and an International Week that culminates with an International Dinner. For more information, please go to the WSA website at www.bgsu.edu/studentlife/organizations/wsa/.
Completing the requirements for high school graduation is necessary for admission to BGSU, but only finishing the minimum coursework will leave you unprepared for college. Consider taking four years of mathematics instead of the three that are required. Two, three or even four years of the same foreign language is excellent preparation for college. You will also benefit from competency in computer use. Courses that provide exposure to or training in the visual and performing arts are excellent choices.
BGSU's website for future students contains University highlights, admissions procedures, financial aid information and many department profiles. It can be accessed at www.bgsu.edu.
Bowling Green State University is a vibrant university that engages, challenges and prepares students for meaningful futures. At BGSU, students enjoy an education that integrates personal growth, academic excellence and an environment that expands their thinking and potential. A mid-size residential university, BGSU has an enrollment of approximately 20,000 and a full-time faculty of more than 900 on its main campus. More than 200 undergraduate majors and programs are offered as well as master's and doctoral level programs.
NOTE: Information in this guide is subject to change without notice.
3/13