Study Abroad

Offers two week and four week summer programs, fall and spring semester and full year options. Programs are offered during Winter Break, Summer Break and regular fall/spring semesters. KIIS programs are hosted in non-English speaking countries and offer students the opportunity to earn 3-12 credit hours in course work that meets degree requirements.

Offers short term and semester long programs including non-credit excursions and for credit learning experiences. CCSA programs are generally offered in English Speaking countries such as England, Ireland, Australia.

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Open to all KCTCS students. Elective or technical credit for CYS 202: Human, Organizational, and Societal Security. March 2-15, 2027

BCTC is leading a study abroad program to South Africa. Students can earn elective or technical credit for CYS 202: Human, Organizational, and Societal Security.

• Destinations: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Polokwane
• Dates: March 2-15, 2027
• Activities: Cultural Excursions to Apartheid Museum, Soweto Township and Nelson Mandela House, Kruger National Park, and more.
• Program Cost: $4,100 Includes tuition, airfare, room and board, some meals, in-country travel and excursions. Passport funding support available!
• Program Leads: Professor Ethan Coats and Ms. Savannah Michaels
• Application Deadline: Nov. 15, 2026
• Mandatory Meeting: Dec. 11, 2026

Eligibility

• Applicants must be currently enrolled at a KCTCS college.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0 required. For first-semester students, GPA will be checked through mid-term grades, and conditional acceptance will be granted until Fall GPA is reported.
• Applicants must be in good standing with all BCTC policy, procedures and codes of conduct.

For more information or to start your application, visit our Campus Community Study Abroad site. Please try to sign in with your BCTC* login in information. If that does not work, select create an account.

* Campus Community is only accessible for BCTC students. Please contact BL-studyabroad@kctcs.edu if you'd like to login and apply.

If you are interested in studying abroad in South Africa, we will be holding informational workshops this fall. During the sessions, we will provide an overview of the program, costs, scholarships, and funding opportunities, and step-by-step guidance on how to apply. The program is going to be amazing, and we can help you make it a reality. 

Informational workshops are virtually via Microsoft Teams

• Thursday, October 22 at 2 pm
• Tuesday, November 17 at 3 pm

If you have questions about the South Africa study abroad program, you can email BL-studyabroad@kctcs.edu or contact one of the program leads:

• Professor Ethan Coats ethan.coats@kctcs.edu
• Ms. Savannah Michaels savannah.michaels@kctcs.edu 

Apply to Study Abroad in South Africa!

Students can earn elective credit for FLM 190: Film Bootcamp. April 4-16, 2027. For Criminal Justice students to receive elective credit CRJ 290: Internship in Criminal Justice. April 9-17, 2027.

BCTC is leading two study abroad programs going to Ireland.

• Students can earn elective credit for FLM 190: Film Bootcamp. Dates are April 4-16, 2027.
• Criminal Justice students to receive elective credit CRJ 290: Internship in Criminal Justice. Dates are April 9-17, 2027.
• Destinations: Dublin and Donegal with visit to multiple sites
• Dates: FLM 190 April 4-16, 2027; CRJ 290 April 9-17, 2027
• Program Cost: $2,930 (FLM 190) or $3,130 (CRJ 290) Includes airfare, room and board, some meals, in-country travel and excursions. Does not include tuition.
• Program Leads: Ms. Stephanie Fitch (FLM 190) and Dr. Holly Clifford (CRJ 290)
• Application Deadline: Nov. 15, 2026
• Mandatory Meeting: Dec. 11, 2026

Eligibility

• Applicants must be currently enrolled at BCTC.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0 required. For first-semester students, GPA will be checked through mid-term grades, and conditional acceptance will be granted until Fall GPA is reported.
• Applicants must be in good standing with all BCTC policy, procedures and codes of conduct.

For more information or to start your application, visit our Campus Community Study Abroad site. Please try to sign in with your BCTC login in information. If that does not work, select create an account.

If you are interested in studying abroad in Ireland, we will be holding informational workshops this fall. During the sessions, we will provide an overview of the program, costs, scholarships, and funding opportunities, and step-by-step guidance on how to apply. The program is going to be amazing, and we can help you make it a reality. 

If you have questions about the Ireland study abroad program, you can email BL-studyabroad@kctcs.edu or contact one of the program leads:

• Professor Stephanie Fitch (FLM 190) stephanie.fitch@kctcs.edu
• Dr. Holly Clifford (CRJ 290) holly.clifford@kctcs.edu 

Apply to Study Abroad in Ireland!

Students can earn Arts & Humanities credit for HUM 150: Intro to African Literature or elective credit for CAR 193: Special Topics in Carpentry. June 7-17, 2027.

BCTC is leading a study abroad program going to Kenya.

• Students can earn Arts & Humanities credit for HUM 150: Intro to African Literature or elective credit for CAR 193: Special Topics in Carpentry.
• Dates are June 7-17, 2027.
• Program Cost: $4,150. Includes room and board, some meals, in-country travel and excursions. Does not include tuition.
• Program Leads: Dr. Iddah Otieno (HUM 150) and Mr. Ezra Sword (CAR 193)
• Application Deadline: Feb. 1, 2027
• Mandatory Meeting: April 2, 2027

Eligibility

• Applicants must be currently enrolled at a KCTCS college.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0 required. For first-semester students, GPA will be checked through mid-term grades, and conditional acceptance will be granted until Fall GPA is reported.
• Applicants must be in good standing with all BCTC policy, procedures and codes of conduct.

For more information or to start your application, visit our Campus Community Study Abroad site*. Please try to sign in with your BCTC login in information. If that does not work, select create an account.

* Campus Community is only accessible for BCTC students. Please contact the BL-studyabroad@kctcs.edu email if you'd like to login and apply.

If you are interested in studying abroad in Kenya, we will be holding informational workshops. During the sessions, we will provide an overview of the program, costs, scholarships, and funding opportunities, and step-by-step guidance on how to apply. The program is going to be amazing, and we can help you make it a reality. 

If you have questions about the Ireland study abroad program, you can email BL-studyabroad@kctcs.edu or contact one of the program leads:

• Dr. Iddah Otieno (HUM 150) iddah.otieno@kctcs.edu
• Mr. Ezra Sword (CAR 193) ezra.sword@kctcs.edu 

Apply to Study Abroad in Kenya!

Students can earn Arts & Humanities credit for ENG 233: Literature and Identities or History credit for HIS 295: East Asia to 1800. May 25-June 22, 2027.

BCTC is leading a study abroad program going to China.

• Students can earn Arts & Humanities credit for ENG 233: Literature and Identities or History credit for HIS 295: East Asia to 1800.
• Dates are May 25-June 22, 2027
• Program Cost: $3,450. Includes airfare, lodging, most meals, visa costs, in-country travel and excursions. Does not include tuition.
• Program Leads: Dr. Anthony Baker (HIS 295) and Professor Rebecca Mitchell (ENG 233)
• Application Deadline: Feb. 1, 2027
• Mandatory Meeting: April 2, 2027

Eligibility

• Applicants must be currently enrolled at a KCTCS college.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0 required. For first-semester students, GPA will be checked through mid-term grades, and conditional acceptance will be granted until Fall GPA is reported.
• Applicants must be in good standing with all BCTC policy, procedures and codes of conduct.

For more information or to start your application, visit our Campus Community Study Abroad site*. Please try to sign in with your BCTC login in information. If that does not work, select create an account.

* Campus Community is only accessible for BCTC students. Please contact the BL-studyabroad@kctcs.edu email if you'd like to login and apply.

If you are interested in studying abroad in China, we will be holding informational workshops. During the sessions, we will provide an overview of the program, costs, scholarships, and funding opportunities, and step-by-step guidance on how to apply. The program is going to be amazing, and we can help you make it a reality. 

If you have questions about the China study abroad program, you can email BL-studyabroad@kctcs.edu or contact one of the program leads:

• Professor Rebecca Mitchell (ENG 233) rebecca.shelton@kctcs.edu
• Dr. Anthony (Tony) Baker (HIS 295) tony.baker@kctcs.edu

Apply to Study Abroad in China!

Studying abroad can feel expensive, but there are many ways to make it affordable. Scholarships, grants, and financial aid can all help cover costs—and community college students are often very competitive applicants since many funders want to support first-generation and non-traditional students.

Financial Aid at BCTC

Some forms of federal and state financial aid may be used for study abroad, depending on your financial need and when you plan to go abroad.

• The BCTC Financial Aid Office offers daily walk-in counseling from 8:00–4:30 or you can schedule a remote appointment through the BCTC website under Affording College.
• If you’re considering studying abroad, talk to them early to understand your eligibility and options.

Other Assistance

There are many different scholarships that are open for students who need help paying for a study abroad program. There are some based on things like need, location, and much more.

The best way to find these scholarships is by just looking through pre-programmed websites that you can filter to your qualifications.

You can also research the program companies that you are interested in to see what scholarships they offer. Be sure to ask your study abroad coordinator for help!

Both options have unique benefits, and the “better” choice really depends on what you want to get out of your study abroad experience.

• Homestay: Living with a host family gives you the chance to experience daily life from a local perspective. You’ll practice the language more naturally, learn cultural traditions firsthand, and gain the support of a family environment.
• Dorm or Student Housing: Living in a dorm offers more independence and flexibility. You’ll often be surrounded by other international or local students, which can make it easier to travel, socialize, and experience what it’s like to live on your own abroad.

Think about your goals! If you want a deep cultural immersion and family support, a homestay may be best. If you prefer independence and student-centered social life, a program that offers on campus residences or dorm access might be a better fit.

Studying abroad allows you to open your mindset and explore the huge world around us. Not only will this show employers that you immersed yourself into a new world, but it will show them that you are capable of adapting to change. It helps you learn how to communicate with people in a new way by finding what you have in common. Studying abroad expands your worldview and gives you lifelong memories, but it also provides career advantages that employers notice.

Employer Insights

• 25% of employers say international experience is a top priority when hiring (QS, 2020).
• Employers who prioritize hiring candidates with study abroad experience are more satisfied with their performance (QS, 2018).
• 73% of students reported talking about their study abroad experience in an interview, and over 50% said it led to a job offer (IIE, 2017).

Skills Employers Value

Studying abroad helps you strengthen key job-ready skills, including:

• Adaptability & problem-solving
• Teamwork & collaboration
• Intercultural communication
• Critical thinking & independence
• Language skills

Employers want to see international experience on your résumé and hear about it in your interview. Be sure to highlight your study abroad experience—whether in your cover letter, job applications, or graduate school essays. It could be the factor that helps you land your next opportunity.

Your study abroad experience is what you make of it, so take time to be intentional and proactive. Here are a few tips:

• Set personal goals: Make a list of what you want to experience, learn, or accomplish abroad. This will help guide your choices and ensure you focus on what matters most to you.
• Be independent: If you usually go along with what others want, this is your chance to step out on your own. Don’t be afraid to share your opinions or do activities solo—you’ll often learn the most about yourself this way.
• Say yes to new experiences: Try new foods, explore different neighborhoods, and attend cultural events. This may be your only chance to immerse yourself in this country.
• Build connections: The friendships you make—whether with locals or other international students—will shape your journey and create lifelong memories.
• Reflect often: Keep a journal, blog, or photo diary to process what you’re

The more open you are to new experiences and connections, the richer your study abroad journey will be.

There isn’t one “best” time—only the time that works best for you. Every student has different academic goals, personal commitments, and comfort levels with traveling.

That said, college is one of the most convenient times to study abroad because programs are designed for students and financial aid or scholarships may apply.

When deciding, think about:

• Academics: Which semester or summer fits best with your degree plan?
• Personal goals: Do you want to focus on language, culture, internships, or general exploration?
• Timing: Are you ready now, or would you prefer to wait until later in your college journey?

BCTC Study Abroad advisors can help you choose a program and timing that fits your academic and personal goals. Email us at bl-studyabroad@kctcs.edu.

The “right time” is the time that aligns with your goals—and only you can decide when that is.

There is no "best" time to study abroad. Each person will have a different way of completing their goals and a different time than they feel comfortable traveling abroad. However, traveling is much more accessible to students, so studying abroad during college is one of the more convenient times to gain experience.

Most students choose when to study abroad based on completely different things. You are the only one who will know when the right time to go abroad is, but your study abroad coordinator can help you choose a time that makes sense for you academically.