Incoming Undergraduate Exchange Students

Exchange Students from Austria and France at Fenway Park.

The following are resources intended for undergraduate students from our official exchange program partner schools. Students from other institutions and/or students interested in studying during the summer semester should contact the Bentley University Office of Admissions.

Graduate students from our official exchange program partner schools should click here for the appropriate website.

Applying

Step 1: Contact your home university's international office to be nominated to study at Bentley. Once nominated, you will receive an email with login instructions and information on how to access our online application. This information is only made available to nominated students.

Step 2: Submit the documents below (accessable in your online application) to your international study adviser to be forwarded to Bentley. All original, signed forms must be submitted to Bentley along with supporting documentation:

• Financial documents (bank verification required)
• Current transcript from home institution (with English translation)
• Photocopy of identification page of passport
• Two passport-sized photos

The application deadline for students coming to Bentley in Fall (September-December) is March, and for Spring (January - May) is September. Please complete Step 1 (online application) and Step 2 (mail your documents) before the deadline.

Please note: We will send all acceptance materials and necessary visa paperwork to the International Education contact at your home university. Spring students will receive this material in early November, and Fall students will receive everything in late May.

Step 3: Complete your online Course Registration Form immediately after courses are posted. We will notify you as soon as courses are posted.
 

Step 4: After acceptance: you must complete the Arrival Information Form by logging back in to the application system. The form is due no later than two weeks before your arrival date.

Room and Board

Housing Facilities

Bentley offers a number of different housing facilities. Full descriptions can be found on the website of the Office of Residential Services.

Residence Halls are bedrooms for one to three people with shared bathrooms for the entire floor. Suites house two to eight people with shared bedrooms, common areas, and bathrooms. Neither residence halls nor suites have full kitchens. Students living in these facilities are required to take a meal plan (see below).

Apartment facilities include bedrooms, common areas, kitchens, and bathrooms for two to five people. Students living in apartments can cook for themselves and are not required to take a meal plan.

Off-campus accommodation is available, but Bentley cannot assist you with finding this kind of housing. We recommend that exchange students live on-campus because local transportation to campus is not readily available.

Linens are not included in your room fee, but you will be given opportunities for shopping trips shortly after your arrival.

Meal Plans

Bentley offers the Super Value Meal Plan (unlimited visits to the cafeteria every day), the Value 17 Meal Plan, the Value 15 Meal Plan and the Value 10 Meal Plan. Students assigned to residence halls or suites are required to take the Super Value, Value 17 or Value 15 Meal Plan. More information about the meal plans and the dining facilities on campus can be found on the Dining Services website.

Costs

The cost for housing placements can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances of a room or apartment. Placements in apartments and with fewer roommates are more expensive options. Please consult the websites listed above for more detailed meal plan and housing information.

Note: Bentley will attempt to meet your housing preferences, but cannot guarantee that all of your preferences will be available for the semester you are at Bentley.

Payment

All Bentley exchange students will be responsible for the following costs during their time at Bentley. Tuition is waived as part of the exchange agreement with the home university.

Student invoices will be issued on the first day of class. At this time, all exchange students are expected to pay their entire balance in full. Payment instructions will be sent to students via email, and an invoice will also be sent to their home address.

Dates

The fall semester at Bentley runs from September-December. The spring semester runs from January-May. Exact semester dates will be sent to students in their acceptance packets. International exchange students are required to attend an orientation before the start of the semester. The orientation for the Fall semester is held in late August. The Spring semester orientation is conducted in mid-January.

Students are required to be present for orientation and through the completion of all exams at the end of the semester. Students arriving early will not have access to on-campus housing until the specified move-in date. Students arriving before the specified arrival dates will be required to find temporary accommodation in the area. Similarly, students cannot remain at Bentley beyond the return date, as the dormitories close. The dates below, once confirmed, are not flexible.

When making flight arrangements, please remember that Logan International Airport in Boston, MA, is the closest airport to Bentley.

Arrival Information

All exchange students must complete the Arrival Information form by logging back in to the application system before arriving on campus. The form is due 2 weeks before the arrival date.

Bentley recommends an airport pickup service for you at Logan Airport. This service is optional, and will cost you approximately $48 (USD). A representative from Ultimate Livery will meet you at the airport and bring you to Bentley. Ultimate Livery is familiar with Bentley's campus and their prices are reasonable.

Ultimate Livery and Shuttle (operated by Zebra Shuttle):
Select "Bentley College" from the menu, and select "Student Center" as the drop-off destination.
Airport pickup costs approximately $48 (US dollars) per student (possibly less if your transportation is shared with other Bentley exchange students).

Student Life and Resources

International exchange students are hosted by the Cronin Office of International Education. A staff member in the Office advises all exchange students. In addition to the support of their Adviser and the International Education staff, exchange students have access to all Bentley offices and services.

Center for International Students and Scholars

CISS provides a variety of services by facilitating the integration of international students and scholars into the Bentley community. These services include immigration counseling, cultural adjustment programming, personal assistance/counseling, and intercultural programs. http://campus-life.bentley.edu/student-services/center-international-students-scholars All questions about visas and DS-2019 forms should be directed to Donna DeIulio in CISS.

Bentley offers a variety of on-campus activities, programs, and services to all students. International exchange students are encouraged to attend events, utilize services, and join organizations of interest to them. Refer to the Office of Student Life's website for full details: http://campus-life.bentley.edu/living-bentley/student-activities/student-center.

International Organizations

There are several international organizations at Bentley. Two student organizations of particular interest to exchange students are the International Buddy Network ( http://student-organizations.bentley.edu/ibn/) and the International Student Association ( http://student-organizations.bentley.edu/isa/).

Computer Resources

Bentley exchange students will have their laptop configured by the Computer Resource Center once they arrive on campus. A document explaining this process is available by clicking here. Detailed information about computing and on-line resources can be found on the Bentley Client Services website: http://www.bentley.edu/client-services/students.

Health Services

The Health Services Office at Bentley is available to answer any questions you may have about your medical status while at Bentley. You will be asked to complete a Health Form and submit it to Bentley before arrival. If you have any questions about this form or other health concerns, please contact Mary McCarthy via email.

All international students are automatically enrolled in Bentley Health Insurance. Please note: waiving out of the Bentley insurance plan is no longer an option for international students. All exchange students will be required to enroll in and pay for the Health Insurance plan.

Courses and Academic Information

You will be asked to submit your course selections via email shortly after submitting all application paperwork. This is a preliminary list and should be as accurate as possible, however you will be allowed to change your courses when you arrive on campus during the first week of classes. Please use the Registrar's website to make your selections, and base your choices on the previous semester until the current listings are posted (usually a few months before the start of each semester). As you look at courses, please pay close attention to the "prerequisites" and make sure that you have taken a similar course at your home institution.

The normal academic load at Bentley is 5 classes (a total of 15 credits). If you wish to enroll in more than 5 classes, you can add an additional class when you arrive on campus, though it is not recommended because of the time committment involved. Exchange students at Bentley are required to take a minimum of 4 classes per semester.

To view sample course syllabi visit our "Blackboard" website at: https://blackboard.bentley.edu/webapps/login/. On the right-hand side, click "Guest Access" underneath the login area. Then search for courses you are interested in, and you can view syllabi from previous semesters. This is helpful when trying to get courses approved at your home institution.

At the end of the semester, your transcript will automatically be sent to your home university.

Applying

Waltham and the Greater Boston Area

Exchange students at Border Cafe in Harvard Square.

City of Waltham Community Home Page
http://www.waltham-community.org/

Greater Boston Convention and Visitor Bureau
http://www.bostonusa.com/

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/rec-act.htm

The Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com

The Boston Phoenix
http://www.bostonphoenix.com/

Boston Magazine
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/index.html

Logan International Airport
http://www.massport.com

Public Transportation
http://www.mbta.com/

Hostelling International
http://www.hihostels.com

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