We're now accepting faculty interest for BSU-in-Accra and BSU-in-Thessaloniki through September 15th. Faculty interested in teaching BSU courses in Ghana or Greece: read on!
What is BSU-in?
In short, it is a Study-Abroad-Office-directed, BSU-faculty-led, semester-long study abroad program. This program emerges from a commitment to increasing student access, providing programs of the highest academic value, and keeping study abroad enrollments within the institution.
BSU students, BSU faculty, BSU courses, BSU prices -- on a host campus abroad/away. The Rinker Center for Global Affairs is hearing the message loud and clear-- students DO want to study abroad/away, and the primary barriers seem to be cost and relevance to degree plan. BSU-in addresses both of these concerns! It is priced to students at the exact same cost of a BSU on-campus semester, almost to the dollar-- it does NOT cost extra! And it features Ball State courses and Ball State faculty, with an emphasis on UCC courses and intro-level courses that might satisfy requirements for just about every BSU undergrad. It also features flexibility-- students are allowed to take an online course or two while they are abroad, which means students from many different majors may be able to study abroad for a whole semester without setting them behind on their progress toward graduation.
What about teaching at BSU-in?
Faculty for BSU-in are loaded to teach in this program according to the academic unit's needs/goals. Loadings for BSU-in courses happen within the academic unit-- so if there's a class your department offers that might be a good fit for BSU-in-Accra, you would be loaded to teach that course in Ghana instead of in Muncie. As a rule of thumb, BSU-in offers a menu of 4-8 courses taught by a team of 2-4 faculty. The program should offer courses from a variety of disciplines, with preference given to UCC courses (from Foundations, any Ways of Knowing, and/or any Beneficience Themes). We can also consider non-UCC courses on a case-by-case basis. Because we're working collaboratively with departments, we will remain flexible with the details of faculty loading; in previous BSU-in programs, for example, one faculty member taught one 15-week BSU-in course and three other courses online (not associated with the program). Another faculty member taught two BSU-in courses on a ten-week calendar and two courses online (not associated with the program). One faculty member traveled on site just for a five-week course-- the rest of his loading was on the main (Muncie) during the first ten weeks of the semester. Currently we can do placements both for full-semester and for partial semester. We work together-- Study Abroad, faculty member, and academic unit-- to determine the best fit.
Who covers travel costs for BSU-in faculty?
Housing, flights, excursions, and ground transportation are covered by Study Abroad. We will also provide a modest stipend to assist with other incidental costs. Salary compensation is through the academic unit-- this program is loaded through the academic units, so your salary should remain constant.
How can I increase my chances of being selected for a BSU-in teaching team?
Faculty for BSU-in are selected collaboratively between Study Abroad and the academic units. The most desirable BSU-in faculty members are those who can teach at least one UCC course-- and even better if you can offer more than one UCC course (from multiple tiers or domains). We can also consider non-UCC courses on a case-by-case basis, especially if the non-UCC course is in addition to at least one UCC course. As we move to a new core curriculum, the program is preparing to adjust as necessary. One of the most important factors in selection of the courses and faculty is the enthusiastic endorsement from your Chair. We would strongly suggest discussing with your unit leader before formally indicating interest to Study Abroad.
BSU-in-Accra, Fall '26
As the vibrant capital of Ghana, Accra is a dynamic city that blends rich history, diverse cultures, and a thriving arts and business scene. Home to over 2 million people, Accra offers students the opportunity to experience West African culture firsthand while engaging with a rapidly developing global city. We'll be hosted by the University of Ghana, a well-respected national public university. With a growing Ghanaian student community at BSU, this program also offers a unique opportunity to build connections between campuses and cultures—deepening global perspectives both abroad and at home.
BSU-in-Thessaloniki, Fall '26
Nestled along the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki is Greece’s vibrant second-largest city, known for its rich history, stunning coastal views, and dynamic blend of ancient and modern life. With Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences woven throughout the city, students will be immersed in a living classroom of cultural and historical significance. We'll be based at a local college just outside the city center, offering a quiet, green setting with easy access to everything Thessaloniki has to offer. With its welcoming atmosphere, lively student culture, and walkable historic center, Thessaloniki is an ideal home base for a meaningful European experience.
These locations/terms aren't right for me/my department, but I'm very interested in this program. Is a different BSU-in location/term a possibility?
Yes. Locations for BSU-in will change each term (and some locations may be recurring, depending on student and faculty interest). Fall 2024 was in Puebla, Mexico. Spring 2025 was in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. Fall 2025 is in Seoul, South Korea. Spring 2026 is in both Dublin, Ireland and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Future locations beyond Fall 2026 are tentative-- Spring 2027 will tentatively be in Alcalá de Henares, Spain and Lincoln, UK. You are welcome to indicate interest at any time, even if it's for a future term/location, but please keep in mind that no action will yet be taken for programs after Fall '26.
What next?
Interested faculty are encouraged to discuss with their Department Chairs and Ashley Coker, Director of Study Abroad (acoker@bsu.edu, 285.2652). Then please indicate your interest in teaching at BSU-in by completing this interest form. While we accept interest forms on a rolling basis for all future terms, we suggest submitting for BSU-in-Accra or BSU-in-Thessaloniki by September 15th or sooner. The Study Abroad Office's goal is to confirm the Fall 2026 teaching teams no later than November 1st.