Worcester Polytechnic Institute Study Abroad Program

The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Study Abroad program definitely earned its right to say that it is “not your typical study abroad program”. With 40+ project centers on 6 different continents and 40+ years of project experience through the Global Programs Project, it’s no wonder why the Princeton Review of 2017-2018 ranked it in the Top 10 most popular study abroad programs.

72% of WPI students complete at least one project off campus with their many global programs. The college firmly believes that the best way for students to understand and appreciate social issues is to experience them firsthand. Global Projects Programs integrate humanities, social sciences, business, science, and engineering thus offering something for every type of student.

U.S. News & World Report’s ranked WPI in 2010 as one of “America’s Best Colleges”. This praise was also focused on the college’s innovative and inspiring project-based curriculum and study abroad opportunities, calling them “outstanding examples of academic programs that are commonly linked to student success.”

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Study Abroad Programs

Ever wonder where WPI students are on their journeys abroad? This feature makes you wonder no more. Past projects completed by students in the International and Global Studies program include exploring bus emissions in Hong Kong, optimizing micro-finance in Paraguay, traveling to Morocco to study social entrepreneurship, as well as studying tropical diseases and public health internationally.

WPI students still have Emerson language programs, as well as, exchange programs in addition to their Global Projects.

Each year the Worcester Polytechnic Institute students embark on a new and unique journey to learn and help the world. The International and Global Studies program strategically places opportunities for students in busy cities as well as on small mountainside villages.
Some recently highlighted programs are the Albania Project Center in 2016 as well as the Israel Program from 2013.

Highlighted Program: Albania Project Center

Albania is as one of Europe’s fastest growing economies that is home to more than 2.7 million people. For this reason, in the fall of 2016 24 students led by 2 faculty members traveled to the countries capital Tirana. While working on the immersive project WPI students got experience working with six local sponsoring organizations.

The goal was to help sustain and manage the region’s impressive growth. The execution was to be done by undertaking projects from recycling to promoting community-based tourism. The students also focused on developing a water education program for local high schools and investigated the sustainable harvesting of medical herbs from Albania’s forests.

Israel Program

Due to its success among graduate students in WPI’s School of Business, the Israel Program is open to seniors of all majors. Aside from students’ experience with living in Israel’s culture, their perspectives are enriched from the discussions with locals about the influences and changes in their lives from the military and multi-cultural society among many other topics.

The Israel Program curriculum is scheduled to have one speaker each week. Each speaker is drawn from Israeli companies operating in the United States. These companies include The Mass Challenge (business incubator that runs a competition for startups); NE Israel Business Council; our governor’s office (which has sent a trade delegation more than once to Israel); U.S. Industry Specialists in Startups (Information Technology, Clean Technology / Sustainable Development and Biotechnology).

In addition, students will visit an incubator and talk to the entrepreneurs using its resources. The program is impact and will forever change WPI students’ minds about the financial requirements for beginning startups and the Israel history and its relation to entrepreneurship.

Contact WPI Study Abroad

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Bartlett Center
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609-2280
Phone: 508-831-5286
Fax: 508-831-5875
admissions@wpi.edu

Passports & Visas

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Study AbroadOne of the most frequently asked questions from students planning to study abroad is regarding passports and visas. Worcester Polytechnic Institute Study Abroad students should always apply for their passports as early as possible. Passports must be valid for up to six months after the return date of your trip. Typically passports take 4-6 weeks to process, but expedited services are available if students need it sooner.

Student visas are necessary when students study abroad. Though this depends on the country they are traveling to, as well as how long they plan to stay. For more information about your specific trip and visa needs please contact your study abroad program or the U.S. Embassy.