Butler University launches worldwide overseas study program

INDIANAPOLIS — A new program at Butler University will allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree in three years while studying on six continents, the first of its kind.

On Wednesday, the university announced its Butler Overseas program. In 2027, 30-40 first-year students will have the opportunity to participate in the program that aims at “preparing leaders for an increasingly interconnected world and equipping the next generation of leaders to address climate change and other sustainability issues,” according to a news release from Butler.

“Butler Overseas provides a transformative opportunity for students seeking a global college experience that opens doors to the world,” Butler University President James Danko said. “As global challenges continue to grow, we need well-educated, culturally fluent leaders who can collaborate across borders to create meaningful solutions. Butler Overseas is designed for highly motivated students who want to make a lasting impact.”

The release said that participating students will be able to earn a degree in two academic pathways through hybrid instruction from the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) and remotely from Butler faculty. The two degree paths include:

• Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies with a minor in international business
• Bachelor of science in international business with a minor in environmental studies.

“Over the course of six semesters abroad and three summers at Butler’s Indianapolis campus,” the release said, “students will engage in a rigorous, experiential curriculum designed to explore global challenges from both international and U.S. perspectives.”

The program will allow the students to study six semesters abroad and study for three summers at Butler’s Indianapolis campus. The six-semester program includes the following locations:

• Summer Semester 1: Butler University in Indianapolis
• Fall Semester 1: London, England
• Spring Semester 1: Rome, Italy
• Summer Session 2: Butler University in Indianapolis and South Africa
• Fall Semester 2: Sydney, Australia
• Spring Semester 2: Mérida, Mexico
• Summer Session 3: Butler University in Indianapolis
• Fall Semester 3: Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Spring Semester 3: Kandy, Sri Lanka
• Commencement: Butler University.

“This partnership creates an exciting new opportunity to expand our commitment to helping each student advance toward their academic, professional, and personal goals with impactful global experiences,” Heather Barclay Hamir, IFSA’s president and CEO, said in the release.

Butler University officials said the program is expected to attract applicants from across the United States and around the world, specifically those passionate about environmental sustainability, global business and cross-cultural engagement.

For more information, click here.