“Where do I want to go and why? Why do I want to study abroad? What degree of cultural immersion am I ready for? When do I want to go and how long would I like to stay?” These are the preparatory questions for students considering studying abroad.
Currently directed by Acting Coordinator Rosemary Bradley, NEIU’s Study Abroad program has expanded immensely since 2000, adding 11 programs and partnerships to their repertoire.
“Wise people say, ‘You don’t know anything about the place you live and what you know until you look at it from above.’ And the plane is a nice place to look from,” said Acting Coordinator of International Programs, Wsojciech Woch.
Woch offers a unique perspective as a Polish Canadian who has traveled through most of Europe. He is responsible for attaining international partnerships with universities in Mexico, Poland, France, Ireland, China, and India. There are also hundreds of other programs offered through third parties.
Northeastern has courses available that include trips of eight days to four weeks abroad studying specifics subjects. There are several for the spring and summer 2007 sessions. The information is posted around campus and is also available in the Office of International Programs (OIP).
For students considering international programs, some key facts: courses are pre-approved so that they count as though they were taken at Northeastern. This is important for those final 30 credits that must be taken “in-house” to graduate, and should be duly noted by transfer students.
If students study at partner universities, the tuition is paid as usual to Northeastern, with an additional study abroad fee.
The fee varies in size. Scholarships awarded to students for study at NEIU will apply abroad, but there is extra paperwork for the approval process. There are also scholarships available specifically for study abroad students.
Most programs do have requirements for academics to be in good academic standing. OIP suggests beginning the process at least six months in advance to ensure the process can be completed in time for the trip. Students can talk to Rosemary Bradley or Wsojciech Woch in OIP to begin their journey.
Once everything is in order, and students are underway there are other things to keep in mind: attend the orientations both at NEIU before departure, and then at the destination ? these are to help lessen culture shock.
OIP is located in B-153 and the phone number is: (773) 442-4796.