A Lecturer’s Perspective on Teaching in the Bachelor of International Studies

This paper reflects on the Bachelor of International Studies (BIS) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with particular attention to the subject Contemporary Spain and the capstone In-country Study and Fieldwork Project (ICS) in the Spanish Major. Framed by the understanding that study abroad is shaped by both program design and student participation, the paper examines how these subjects foster intercultural competencies, research skills, and global perspectives. Drawing on student testimonies and academic reflections, it explores the intellectual, personal, and professional growth experienced by learners, as well as the challenges and opportunities of living and studying abroad. The discussion highlights the BIS as a transformative program that prepares students to become engaged global citizens, capable of contributing to a more equitable, sustainable, and interconnected world.