Northeastern Illinois was chosen as one of 14 higher education programs chosen worldwide for participation in a pilot exchange program. There were only five chosen in the U.S., and Northeastern represents Chicago’s only participant. The program was established by the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE) and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
This program provides an opportunity for American and Canadian students to travel to Spanish-speaking countries, while students from the participating countries travel to the U.S. or Canada. The partner institutions are in the U.S., Spain, Brazil, Costa Rica, Argentina, Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico, and Canada. Students will register for and pay tuition to their home universities and may stay at their host university for up to one year.
“The HACU and IOHE project offers students important opportunities to enhance their international understanding and heighten their cultural awareness,” said Director of International Programs and Graduate College Dean Janet Fredericks. “Throughout the years, NEIU has had a consistent record of support and emphasis on the importance of providing students with opportunities for international study.”
Each year, the university sponsors more than 150 students for study experiences throughout the world and hosts more than 60 international exchange students from partner institutions. More than 300 international degree candidates are enrolled in programs of study throughout the university.
According to their website, HACU represents more than 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal. Although their member institutions in the U. S. represent less than 10% of all higher education institutions nationwide, together they educate more than two-thirds of all Hispanic college students. HACU is the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).
NEIU is the recipient of the Institute of International Education Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education in the category of “internationalizing the campus.” This program opens additional doors of international study for NEIU students. More information can be found in the Study Abroad office.