Wellesley College
University Information
Wellesley students may select from more than 150 pre-approved programs of study. Select the "Pre-approved Programs" tab to see the full list. Programs featured in the side-bar may or may not be approved for Wellesley students. When in doubt, please contact the Office of International Study at ois@wellesley.edu.
Please note that some programs listed below are pre-approved by Wellesley. If you select one of these programs, you may need to petition the International Study Committee. For more information, please contact OIS.
Important Dates and Deadlines
All Wellesley students who intend to study abroad during the academic year (fall and/or spring) must declare a major and submit a Proposal to Study Away by December 1 each year. Please refer to the Office of International Study website (www.wellesley.edu/OIS/) for details.
"While abroad, I gained a lot more independence, from having to cook all my own meals to navigating through places I had never been to alone. I also found it valuable to practice finding community in a place where you know no one. I think my time abroad was absolutely worthwhile."
A student Wellesley College
"I gained so much appreciation for public policy on health and the impacts that such could have on communities worldwide. I also learned so much about each country and all the cultures we encountered. It was definitely a worthwhile experience."
Carla M V Wellesley College
"I learned that I could really get around by myself. I also learned that relying on others does not mean you are incompetent. Sometimes you need a little help."
A student Wellesley College
"I learned the history of Nicaragua and related it to the history of Latin America and the U.S. I learned about my privilege as a United States citizen and student studying abroad. I also learned that communities outside western culture is so different. "
Diana Cruz Wellesley College
"My German became much more fluent. I also learned about the nuances of German culture, and was able to talk to many interesting people. It was most definitely worthwhile."
A student Wellesley College
"Definitely learned a lot just about globalization and colonialism simply from being in Senegal and that is incredibly valuable. Gained new friends and another family, and definitely improved my language skills (Wolof was a lot easier than I thought, and my French oral skills definitely got better)"
A student Wellesley College
"I obviously gained a strong appreciation for the Chilean culture and language, and my ability to meet and connect with people from very different backgrounds from my own was amazing. "
Emily Neel Wellesley College
"the importance of making and keeping friends, that racism is global, that the us is not perfect in terms of gender equality but some places are far worse, how to have friends who were politically the opposite of me, YES"
A student Wellesley College
"Learned how to adapt to a new culture and way of life, as well as how to survive in a Spanish-speaking country"
A student Wellesley College
"I gained a greater self confidence living and traveling by myself, especially in places where I don't speak the language. I really enjoyed getting to spend time just wandering in Edinburgh, and in other cities I visited. I learned how to adapt to new environments."
A student Wellesley College
"I learned about how to navigate a foreign place, how to meet new people, how to live in the rainforest, how to carry out an independent research project, how to write a scientific paper, and how to immerse myself in the culture and lifestyle. Everything was worthwhile."
A student Wellesley College
"Intellectual maturity was the biggest thing I gained from my year abroad. In addition, it has helped me figure my area of interest for grad school. I'd say it was definitely worthwhile. "
A student Wellesley College
"Beyond gaining many new wonderful friends and experiences, one of the biggest things I gained through this program was confidence in my ability to live alone, integrate successfully into new situations and cultures, and make the most out of opportunities, all of which this program challenged me to do. "
Marley Forest Wellesley College
"I gained a sense of self worth and independence. I was abroad for the first time without a 'program' or even friends and I thrived. I gained a new global perspective and went native. Overall, I'm glad that I didn't do the traditional study abroad experience. I got to truly know the place I was staying and I was able to fully..."
A student Wellesley College
"I learned that I love to travel and definitely want to think about moving/working abroad!"
A student Wellesley College
"I gained a huge amount of confidence, as well as an appreciation for and awareness of cultural differences. Plus, my Chinese is so much better!"
A student Wellesley College
"I loved being among other international students and conversing with them. The entire experience really exposed me to a more globalized sense of the world."
A student Wellesley College
"My experience abroad taught me more about my values and aspirations than any other semester had in my academic career. I found it incredibly worthwhile and liberating to remove myself from familiar environments and relationships and immerse myself in completely new ones. The lessons I learned and realizations I experienced abo..."
A student Wellesley College
"My reading/writing/critical thinking skills improved significantly."
frances.s.wang.5 Wellesley College
"It was definitely worthwhile. I'd never been out of the US before and always wanted to go abroad. That alone makes the experience worthwhile. I gained a better understanding of not only English culture, which is useful to my major, but also a better understanding of Europe in general. "
A student Wellesley College
"The program helped mold me to approach new situations with curiosity and an open mind, and helped me develop a toolkit for critically examining and comparing urban contexts globally."
A student Wellesley College
"I learned that I can travel alone. That being in a space where I do not know the language is difficult and beautiful at the same time. That friends can be found in wonderful spaces. Money is well spent on a good time and that being away from Wellesley was exactly what I needed in order to make it through. It was completely worth..."
A student Wellesley College
"I learned how to navigate a foreign environment. I gained a thoughtful and well-informed perspective of German culture, and had the chance to experience it for myself and really immerse myself in it. I met interesting people, though that was something I had to strive to do on my own and was not easy. If I could, I would do it ag..."
A student Wellesley College
"Yes it was definitely worthwhile. I learned a lot about Spain and the language. "
A student Wellesley College
"Yes! Living with a host family was the best experience. I learned other ways of living and my French really really got better."
A student Wellesley College
