Faculty-led international courses are 3-credit intensive study abroad experiences offered during semester breaks. On these courses, a Bentley professor leads his/her students on an immersive learning experience in a region of the world where the professor has expertise. Faculty-led international courses offer students the opportunity to combine cultural activities with business, NGO, or other relevant site visits. Students benefit from personal interactions with companies and organizations they would not encounter as a tourist.
Faculty-led international courses are approximately 7 to 12 days in length during January break, Spring break (as part of a Spring semester course), or in May after exams. The intensive format allows students to study abroad without missing a semester at Bentley.
Click on the icon for each course below to read a detailed course description and view a sample itinerary and syllabus. Applications can be accessed from each course description page.
2026 Faculty-Led Courses | APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!
Winter Intensive - Applications closed on October 31
Ghana
Course: NAS 444
The Roots of Health: Exploring Biodiversity and Food Security in Ghana
Spring Break - Applications closed on October 31
Summer Intensive - Apply by January 31, 2026
Peru
Course: MLSP 205
Exploring the Andes - Intermediate Language Immersion
*EXCEPTIONAL EARLY APPLICATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 7
Dates & Deadlines
January & March 2026 Faculty-Led Deadlines
- October 1, 2025: Early Bird! Apply by this date and save $125
- October 31, 2025: Program & Scholarship deadline
- November 11-14, 2025: Program & Scholarship decision announcements
- EXCEPTION: Please note MLSP 205 course to Peru scholarship application deadline is October 31, and program application deadline is December 7
May 2026 Faculty-Led Deadlines
- January 1, 2026: Early Bird! Apply by this date and save $125
- January 31, 2026: Program & Scholarship deadline
- February 11-14, 2026: Program & Scholarship decision announcements
- EXCEPTION: Please note MLSP 205 course to Peru scholarship application deadline is October 31, and program application deadline is December 7
Financial Information
Costs vary by program type; please see the course budget sheet for individual program fees. A range of estimated program expenses can be found below:
| Budget Item: | Estimated Cost Range: |
|---|---|
| Program Fee: | $3,000 - $6,500 |
| Airfare: | $900 - $1,800 |
| Admin Fee: | $125 |
Bentley merit scholarships do not apply to Faculty-Led International courses. However, it may be possible to obtain loans for these costs. Please visit the Office of Financial Assistance and speak with a financial aid counselor to discuss these options.
Scholarships
Bentley provides a number of competitive scholarships for students applying for faculty led programs each year. We recommend students apply for the three highlighted scholarships below, including Bentley scholarships as well as external scholarships such as the Gilman Scholarship and the Fund for Education Abroad.
Additional financial information, including the refund/withdrawal policy for faculty-led programs, is available on our finances page. Please contact the Office of International Education with questions.
Apply Here: Scholarship Application
Bentley provides a number of competitive scholarships for students applying for faculty-led programs each year. Students that apply through Bentley's Faculty-Led Intl Course/GBE Funding Application will be considered for ALL of the below scholarships:
- The Earle and Sloan Travel Fellowship
- The Global Social Responsibility Fund
- The Herbert J. and Susan P. Maletz Scholarship
- The International Citizens Group Fund
- Kiszewski and Stoner International Travel Fund
- The Falcons Forward Study Abroad Scholarship
- Additional scholarships that may be distributed throughout the year
To apply, students must create both a scholarship AND course application in BentleyAbroad. After answering application questions, students should hit “submit”. Please email ga_study_abroad@bentley.edu with any questions.
While some scholarships may have their own requirements, to apply for a scholarship in general students must meet the following requirements:
- Intend to participate in a Bentley-sponsored faculty-led international course or GBE
- Be a United States citizen or US Permanent Resident
- Applicants mut have a current FAFSA on file and demonstrate financial need
- Applicants must be in good standing
- To ensure broad access to study abroad opportunities, students who have previously benefited from a scholarship to attend a faculty-led or Global Business Experience will not be considered for funding.
All students who meet the criteria above are encouraged to apply. Applicants will be prioritized according to the merit of the application, financial need, and any individual scholarship requirements.
Scholarship deadlines and announcement dates align with faculty-led course deadlines and announcement dates.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship aims to support students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad, including but not limited to students with high financial need, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities.
To apply, FIRST create a Bentley-Gilman application for review using this link: The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. After applying through Bentley, an advisor will provide feedback on your essay via email. Once receiving feedback, it is the student's responsibility to submit their final application to the official Gilman website. Note that deadlines may vary; students can find deadlines on the scholarship application page.
Requirements: U.S. Citizen undergraduate; Receive a Pell Grant or will be receiving a Pell Grant
Award: Up to $5,000
Click here to view an information video about the Gilman Scholarship Program and how to apply.
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) offers a variety of scholarships for study abroad students.
To apply, FIRST create a Bentley-FEA application for review using this link: The Fund for Education Abroad. After applying through Bentley, an advisor will provide feedback on your essay via email. Once receiving feedback, it is the student's responsibility to submit their final application to the official FEA website. Note that deadlines may vary; students can find deadlines on the scholarship application page.
Requirements: Multiple scholarships for students in, but not excluded to, the following communities: Boston Area, Athletes, and LGBTQ. Must also meet general FEA scholarship eligibility requirements.
Award: Up to $1,000 for short-term programs, up to $5,000 for a semester, $10,000 for a full year; and awards that are prorated by number of weeks in-country
Want to see what a faculty-led course to Ghana looks like?
