A different way to start the Baylor experience for #BU24 — in Ireland

A lot of Baylor’s traditions begin as soon as students set foot on campus. From Welcome Week to running the Baylor Line to Dr Pepper Hour, the first-year experience at Baylor is special.

But everybody’s got their own idea of what they want college to be — and for some students, that list begins with studying abroad. Soon, a new program will allow Baylor students to begin their college experience the same way.

Applications are now open for high school seniors to join #BU24 — on campus, sure, but also in a special program called Start Abroad. A small group of students will begin their Baylor careers next fall not in Waco, but in Dublin, Ireland. There, they’ll learn from Baylor faculty while living in one of the world’s most popular study abroad locations.

Today’s students recognize that getting that global experience looks really good on a resume, and the Start Abroad program will give students the chance to get that experience right out of the chute. The available core curriculum will keep students on track to graduate within four years, and at an essentially equivalent cost to what they’d pay in Waco. (Plus, all scholarships will still apply.)

The small group — expected to be between 25-50 students, total — will be led by Dr. Mark Morman, a Baylor professor since 1998 and an experienced study abroad faculty advisor. The group will gather for familiar student activities, from Dr Pepper Hour to Chapel to watching Baylor football games, but will also enjoy the special benefits of living in a historic, walkable city (and group trips to explore other parts of the country). At semester’s end, they’ll be back in the U.S. in time for Christmas, and back on campus in time for spring activities like formal Greek recruitment and Diadeloso.

Interested students should apply to Baylor by Nov. 1, and then apply to the Start Abroad program by Dec. 1. (FYI: Students majoring in heavy science/technology areas are advised to save their study abroad experience for later in their Baylor career.) An application is not a commitment to go abroad; students accepted into the program will have until May 1 to decide between Waco and Dublin. Learn more at baylor.edu/startabroad.

Sic ’em, #BU24!