Programs

Bellevue College is committed to promoting global competence. This is a basic understanding of the cultures and political realities of the world, combined with an ability to learn, communicate, and act cross-culturally. Along with global competence, BC is committed to global citizenship, the responsibility to learn about and act upon issues that cross borders and involve us as human beings.

For those reasons, Global Studies classes are offered across the curriculum--including philosophy, history, art, anthropology, economics, literature, communications, business, and many more. At BC you choose from many opportunities to explore what global citizenship means for you.

World Languages

The first element in global competence is cross-cultural communication, and that begins with learning World Languages. In addition to European languages including French, German, Italian, and Spanish, BC also offers critical non Western languages such as Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Arabic. Classes stress everyday speaking, writing and listening, and teach about the culture represented by each language. If you plan to transfer to a four-year college or university, you may need to take several quarters of language study.

International Studies

BC also offers a highly respected program in International Studies (IS) focusing on economic, historical, political, and cultural dimensions of global issues. The interdisciplinary approach offers the background and analytical skills you need to make sense of international realities and developments. It fulfills core IS requirements of many four-year institutions including the University of Washington and Seattle University. You may choose an International Studies major at BC, then continue it at your four-year college or university after you transfer.

Study Abroad

Along with International Studies and World Languages, BC offers direct personal encounters with other cultures. This is essential for global competence. BC offers a wide choice of Travel and Study abroad opportunities to immerse you in another culture while you earn college credit. Choose from term-length programs in England, Costa Rica, Spain, China, and Italy.

In addition, some BC courses take you on study-visits to other countries. In 2007 a class of business students traveled to Japan for study, and in 2008 another group went to Ireland to observe the workplace there.

The World at BC

You can interact with other cultures at BC too. Campus life is enriched by international events as well as the Scholar in Residence program which brings visiting faculty from around the world to teach about their countries. With more than seven hundred international students from dozens of countries, BC offers many opportunities for direct, informal interaction with other members of the global community. For example, at language tables you can practice communicating with native speakers and get to know them.

We invite you to consider the benefits you can access at Bellevue College, your path to global competence and link to the global community.