CONNECTING WALTHAM TO THE WORLD
49%
Percentage of 2025 graduates who studied abroad
516
Total number of students who studied abroad in 2024-2025
48%
increase in First Generation student enrollment
in study abroad programs from AY 2023-24 to 2024-25
This year marked a significant milestone in global engagement, with nearly half of the graduating class (49%) having studied abroad. A total of 516 students participated in international programs, reflecting a strong resurgence in mobility and interest across a range of formats—from semester-long experiences to faculty-led courses and graduate-level Global Business Experiences (GBEs). This year also represented a full return to pre-pandemic opportunity: for the first time since 2019, students had access to study abroad options throughout all four years of their undergraduate journey.
STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS
The Cronin Office of International Education is committed to increasing accessibility of study abroad. Thanks to generous Bentley donors and collaborative campus effort, we offered more than $120,000 in annual scholarships for faculty-led and semester study abroad programs. Recipients distinguished themselves amongst their peers and demonstrated strong interest in growing their global citizenship.
2024-25 Stats
32
Study Abroad Scholarships Awarded
$120k
Total amount
of study abroad scholarships awarded
12
Pell grant recipients
awarded Gilman scholarships
Learn more about how study abroad scholarships have changed students' lives:
FACULTY LED COURSES: SHORT-TERM INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES
Bentley University offers short-term, faculty-led international courses designed for both undergraduate and graduate students. These 3-credit intensive study abroad experiences take place during semester breaks and are led by Bentley faculty with deep expertise in the destination region. Through immersive learning, students engage directly with local cultures and gain firsthand insights into global business practices, NGOs, and other relevant sectors. These programs go beyond traditional tourism by incorporating site visits and personal interactions with organizations, providing students with unique educational opportunities that enrich their academic and professional development.
- Winter Intensives:
- NAS 444 - The Roots of Health: Exploring Biodiversity and Food Security in Ghana (Ghana)
- GLS 444 - Cases in Sustainable Tourism in Panama (Panama)
- CS 444 - Artificial Intelligence in Emerging Markets (Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia)
- Spring Break Intensives:
- MG 444: Doing Business in Emerging Markets (Brazil)
- LA 145 - English Origins of American Law (United Kingdom)
- Summer Intensives:
- NAS 444 - From Shore to Sea: Caribbean Ecosystems & their Services (Bahamas)
- NAS 444 Earth Systems and Sustainability in Iceland (Iceland)
- MK 444 - Jamaican Journeys - Unveiling Brands, Culture, and Consumer Trends (Jamaica)
- MLSP 205 - Exploring the Andes - Intermediate Language Immersion (Peru)
- GLS 444 - Cases in Tourism and Global Transportation (Poland, Croatia)
- Winter Intensive: GBE 790 Japanese Culture and Business Practice (Japan)
- Spring Break: GBE 790 Decision-Making for a Sustainable Environment (Scotland)
- Summer Intensive: GBE 790 Jamaican Journeys - Unveiling Brands, Culture, and Consumer Trends (Jamaica)
- Summer Intensive: GBE 790 International CSR & Stakeholder Management: Case Study of Business (Switzerland)
GLOBAL LEARNING FROM BENTLEY'S CAMPUS
Emzingo Virtual Global Innovation Internship
In fall of 2024, 20 students participated in a global virtual internship experience through the Emzingo Virtual Global Innovation Internship. This innovative program allowed them to intern with impactful non-profits and NGOs in Mexico and Peru while remaining on campus. Through this virtual setup, students engaged in international collaboration, bridging cultural and geographic gaps to support social change, and gained invaluable insights from virtual work experience.
CUSTOM GLOBAL PROGRAMS
Explore the World with Study Abroad Ambassadors
Bentley's study abroad offerings open doors to global learning, from semester exchanges and internships to research and multi-destination programs. To bring these global experiences closer to home, Study Abroad Ambassadors share their journeys in real-time via blogs, vlogs, and social media—bringing international experiences back to Bentley. Meet three standout ambassadors who inspired fellow Falcons with their stories abroad.
Study Abroad Ambassador Shorts
This year several of our ambassadors chose to create short-form video content to share their stories. Check out their videos!
Abigail Shugert
CIEE Open Campus | Fall 2024
“London is a fascinating city because although people speak English, the British culture is unique when compared to American culture. All the locals I was able to meet were very open and friendly, and would often ask about my experience as an international student in their city. The professors at my program were also very welcoming and knowledgeable in their fields, which made the courses much more engaging. My marketing professor works at Google and my Psychology professor works as a doctor, so being able to have casual conversations with them as well really helped me expand my network as an aspiring professional. I think London is an amazing place to expand your network and I could definitely see myself living there again in the future."
Mario Rueda
CIEE Global Internship in Singapore | Spring 2025
"Professionally, this program gave me clarity on the kind of work I want to do. Being part of a real consulting team helped me realize that I enjoy solving problems and working with people from different backgrounds. Academically, I gained a broader perspective that I now bring back to my classes. Whether I’m looking at case studies or writing papers, I now think more globally.
If you’re a student thinking about studying abroad, do it. It is not always easy, but it is 100% worth it. You will learn things that no classroom can teach you, and you’ll come back with a new mindset, a stronger sense of self, and a deeper understanding of the world around you.
Studying abroad changed the way I think about my future. I am no longer just focused on getting a degree. I am thinking about where I want to go next, who I want to become, and how I want to make an impact—not just locally, but globally. "
Minaf Hijjawi
CET Bejing | Summer 2024
"I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Beijing, China. Every day, I went to classes at a local university where I practiced speaking, reading, and writing in Chinese. At first, the language was difficult, but the professors were incredibly supportive. They used engaging methods that helped make learning fun and effective. I also made friends with other students from around the world.
Outside of class, Beijing offered so much to explore. One of my favorite activities was trying different types of food. From spicy Sichuan dishes to sweet Beijing duck, the local cuisine was a delicious adventure. I also loved wandering through markets and discovering street food that I had never seen before. These daily experiences helped me understand the culture better and made my time in Beijing even more memorable.
Overall, studying in Beijing was more than just attending classes. It was about growing as a person, making new friends, and immersing myself in a vibrant culture. For anyone thinking about studying abroad, I highly recommend it. The experience will not only help you in your studies but also give you unforgettable memories and friendships."
FACULTY IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Faculty Publication in the Journal of International Education in Business
We are proud to share that a manuscript by Professors Iris Berdrow, Allan Bird, Sam Woolford, and Maria Skaletsky has been accepted for publication in the Journal of International Education in Business. Their forthcoming article, “Intercultural Effectiveness: The Efficacy of International Education Experiences,” presents compelling evidence of the impact of international education on student development.
The study explores how participation in international education experiences (IEEs) influences intercultural effectiveness. Utilizing pre- and post-assessments of 290 students and an Intercultural Effectiveness Survey, the researchers found that while several intercultural competencies improved over time, one—global mindset—showed a significant causal relationship with participation in IEEs.
While attending a conference in London, Mark Frydenberg, Distinguished Lecturer of Computer Information Systems and Director of the CIS Sandbox, connected with Vinny Paratore, a CIS Sandbox tutor currently studying abroad in Manchester, UK. They both attended London Tech Week, a technology innovation hub for the future of enterprise technologies.
During the visit, Mark facilitated a meeting between Vinny and Christophe Maillet, CEO and co-founder of Bodyswaps, a company at the forefront of immersive soft skills training using virtual reality and artificial intelligence. Vinny led the Bentley University team that implemented Bodyswaps in Fall 2023 as part of the Meta University program. They exchanged insights on new platform features, their user experiences, and the roles that Ai can take in learning.
GlobAL Action Learning Grants
Made possible by the support of Joe Cronin Jr., MBA ’94, the International Citizens Group fund, and Bentley’s Academic Innovation Fund, GlobAL Action Learning Grants provide course development seed funding to faculty. Faculty engage with partners in emerging economies to design hands-on learning projects aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
