Q. Why should I study abroad?
Q. When should I study abroad?
Q. What study abroad programs are available to me?
Q. How do I select a study abroad program?
Q. Am I a good candidate for study abroad?
Q. Can I study abroad if I don't speak a foreign language?
Q. Is there a minimum GPA for study abroad?
Q. What kind of courses will I be taking while study abroad?
Q. Can I fulfill General Education or NU Core electives abroad?
Q. How many credits will I earn?
Q. How are credits evaluated and transferred?
Q. How long will it take for my grades to appear on my NU transcript?
Q. Can I use my financial aid for study abroad?
Q. How much will it cost to study abroad?
Q. Are there any special requirements and suggestions for students with chronic medical or psychological problems?
Q. Who should I meet with before I go?
Q. Where can I find reliable health information to prepare for study abroad?
Q. Where can I find reliable safety information on the country that I will be studying in?
Q. Besides attending the pre-departure orientation, what else can I do to prepare for the study abroad experience?
Q. Why do we have a journal requirement?
Q. What do I do if I'm abroad and I have an emergency?
Q. How do I find out more information?
Q. Why should I study abroad?
A. Study abroad may be that defining moment in your education that will change your life. Spending time abroad opens a window to a world of new experiences. Study abroad not only promotes academic enrichment and personal growth, but also enhances your employment prospects.
If you are contemplating study abroad, you have already revealed a desirable trait that sets you apart from other students: intellectual curiosity. You want to know more about other people, other languages, and other cultures. You are eager to expand your cultural horizons by learning first-hand how other people live, think, work, and play.
Students who incorporate overseas study into their academic programs deepen their knowledge and understanding of international, political, and economic issues. Students returning from their time abroad will have a better perspective on world affairs and a broader understanding of your own country and way of life.
As business students in an increasingly global economy, it makes sense to have some international exposure. Employers are increasingly looking for graduates who have studied abroad. Why? Because students who have returned from a successful study experience abroad posses skills that are valued in today's competitive workplace: not just international knowledge and second language skills, but also cross-cultural communication skills, flexibility, resilience, and the ability to adapt to new circumstances and deal constructively with differences. Students who can clearly articulate how their abroad experience has benefitted them personally and professionally are attractive job candidates.
Study abroad is fun! It's exciting to travel to new places, meet lots of different people, and experience new customs, holidays, foods, art, and music!
Q. When should I study abroad?
A. Timing of study abroad can depend on many factors. We recommend that students explore the opportunities for study abroad during their first two years and plan their NU course work to permit them to study abroad in their middler, junior, or senior year.
Q. What study abroad programs are available to me?
A. Study abroad programs are offered through Northeastern Office of International Study Programs (OISP) and CBA Center for Education Abroad and Diversity (CEAD). Options range from semester or summer study at international institutions worldwide, or participating in NU's faculty lead excursions. Visit OISP's and CEAD's website to learn more about the program options.
Q. How do I select a study abroad program?
A. Visit the campus study abroad offices. NU's Office of International Study Programs is located in 10 Belvidere and the CBA Center for Education Abroad and Diversity is located in 273 Dodge Hall.
Additionally, your self-assessment and candid responses to the following questions can help you select the kind of program best suited to meet your academic and personal goals:
- How will study abroad fit into your academic program?
- Will the courses you take fulfill major requirements or count as electives?
- Will going abroad alter your graduation plans?
- Are you interested in learning a foreign language?
- Do you know of any particular countries or universities that well match your interests?
- Would you like to be in a small town, or a large city?
- How deeply do you want to be immersed in the culture?
- Do you want to attend classes with students from the host country, or mainly with other Americans?
- Is there any particular region, country, or culture you've always wanted to learn more about?
- Do you want to spend most of your time in one location or travel to several places?
- How much time do you want to spend abroad? How much money can you afford to spend?
Q. Am I a good candidate for study abroad?
A. As much as we would like to encourage as many students as possible to study abroad, we realize that study abroad is not for all students. Some find it impossible due to their schedules (athletes or students with multiple majors may have difficulty working this in) and others who have fragile physical or mental situations. GPA requirements range but the minimum eligibility requirement is currently 2.2. Finally, students on disciplinary and/or academic probation are not allowed to study abroad.
Study abroad programs look for students who are independent, self-assured, enjoy new experiences and different types of people, and can handle challenges. When you study in a foreign country, you will be faced with new circumstances, environments, and predicaments. Please ask yourself:
- Am I willing to try new things- everything from food to social situations?
- Am I comfortable making my own decisions, such as how to deal with conflict and changes, without family or friends around to help?
- Do I like to take risks?
- How have I handled complex and new situations in the past?
When considering study abroad, it is important to think about your comfort zone and to be honest with yourself.
Q. Can I study abroad if I don't speak a foreign language?
A. Yes, nearly all programs available through CBA and OISP are taught in English. Students may be required to take a language course to enhance their foreign language proficiency, but other courses will be taught in English. If a program requires language proficiency to attend, it will be stated in the program eligibility requirements.
Q. Is there a minimum GPA for study abroad?
A. While Northeastern requires that students who wish to study abroad for a summer or semester have a minimum GPA of 2.2, there are programs with higher GPA requirements. CBA programs, for example, currently have GPA requirements of 2.67 or higher.
Q. What kind of courses will I be taking while study abroad?
A. Students who choose to go through one of the OISP study abroad programs will be taking all non-business electives; whereas students who choose to go through one of the CBA study abroad programs will have an opportunity to take a combination of business and non-business electives.
Q. Can I fulfill General Education or NU core electives abroad?
A. Students may take classes abroad to fulfill General Education electives. NU Core requirements, however, may be difficult to find. Students have to discuss the possibility of fulfilling specific electives abroad with a CBA education abroad advisor to obtain pre-approval.
Q. How many credits will I earn?
A. Programs vary but, in general, students will earn 16 semester hours for a full semseter program and 8 semester hours for a summer session, the same as you would earn in a regular semester or summer session here at NU.
Q. How are credits evaluated and transferred?
A. NU faculty review course descriptions for each and every course you take while abroad and assign them NU equivalents. You should be able to determine the course equivalency and how the course will apply to your degree program prior to departure. In some cases, based on this evaluation courses offered by a host school will not transfer and you should not take them while abroad. The course evaluation process ensures that the classes you take are academically appropriate and enriching. Business courses must meet AACSB accreditation standards.
After you complete your courses and earn passing grades NU will list the country you went to, which courses you took and your grades directly on your NU transcript. These grades will factor into your GPA.
Q. How long will it take for my grades to appear on my NU transcript?
A. It may take several weeks or months after you return for your grades to be received. International institutions often have longer processing times and will submit transcripts to NU when grades have been recorded. NU makes every effort to promptly process your record and you can help by making sure you submit your required journal and program evaluation form by the stated deadline.
Graduating seniors who study abroad during their last semester should be aware that the university may not receive their grades in time for the commencement ceremony. Once they are received your record will be updated to reflect your finalized degree status but the delay can impact your graduation. Please talk to your academic advisor to discuss this further.
Q. Can I use my financial aid for study abroad?
A. Yes. Students will remain enrolled as a full-time student at Northeastern while studying abroad, so you won't lose your financial aid eligibility. Please be sure to make an appointment with your financial aid advisor to let them know you are studying abroad.
Q. How much will it cost to study abroad?
A. Program costs vary. Students pay NU tuition and fees, which usually cover the tuition, airfare, and housing. In some cases the cost to study abroad is somewhat higher than studying on NU campus.
Q. Are there any special requirements and suggestions for students with chronic medical or psychological problems?
A. Students should consult with their physicians, psychologists and counselors extensively regarding study abroad plans. You should also self disclose to the program administrators about your circumstances. This will allow the program administrators to appropriately assist student. Students should also continue their prescribed medications while abroad, which may mean bringing a supply sufficient for the duration of their stay abroad.
Q. Who should I meet with before I go?
A. Be sure to meet with your study abroad advisor, academic advisor, co-op advisor, and financial aid advisor during your study abroad planning process. The study abroad advisor will make sure you are prepared for your experience and that you will gain the most from your study abroad program. Your academic advisor can tell you what courses you can take abroad and how study abroad plan can fit into your curriculum. You also need to work closely with your co-op advisor to discuss future co-op positions and division. Finally, your financial aid advisor also needs to be aware of your study abroad plan, so you will be able to use your financial aid for your abroad experience.
Q. Where can I find reliable health information to prepare for study abroad?
A. For health-related safety information, including which vaccines are required for visiting a specific country, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gove/travel. The World Health Organization www.who.int/ and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control http://ecdc.europa.eu/ are also good resources.
Q. Where can I find reliable safety information on the country that I will be studying in?
A. The U.S. State Department website has information on safety services for Americans overseas at http://travel.state.gov/travel/trips/safety/safety_1180.html. And for country-specific safety information, visit http://travel.state.gove/travel_warnings.html.
Q. Besides attending the predeparture orientation, what else can I do to prepare for the study abroad experience?
A. Here are a few things:
Get a passport: Visit the U.S. Department of State website to find out more information about getting a U.S. passport. Apply several months before you leave, especially if you need visas from foreign embassies. As soon as you receive your passport, make a copy of the front page that has all your identification information, and keep it in a separate place from your passport. If your passport is lost or stolen, the copy will make it easier to get a new one.
Get a visa: Do some research and find out if your country of destination requires a visa. If so what kind of visa will you need? If you travel, you may need visas for other countries. Apply early for visas. Embassy addresses and phone numbers can be found at http://www.embassiesabroad.com
Get your shots: The Center for Disease Control offers the most up-to-date information regarding vaccinations and shots. You should also consult your doctor.
Learn about your destinations: You are going to experience culture shock, no matter how extensive your language or diversity experiences. One of the ways to have a better experience is to have realistic expectations. Read everything you can about the country you will be studying.
Q. Why do we have a journal requirement?
A. At NU all experiential learning requires reflection. We ask you to keep a journal while studying abroad so that you can reflect on your experience and record your growth over the course of time. This journal, along with your required program evaluation form, are useful tools that CBA uses to determine whether programs are beneficial and valuable to students.
Q. What do I do if I'm abroad and I have an emergency?
A. While we wish that we were able to help you every step of the way while you are overseas, the reality is that sometimes you may need more immediate assistance than we can offer. Prior to departure we will supply you with emergency contact information that is pertinent to your study abroad experience. This includes emergency responder phone numbers (fire, police, ambulance) as well as the address and phone number of the nearest U.S. Embassy. You will also have contact information for your program manager and should call them for assistance if you have any problems or concerns. NU purchases SOS International memberships for all of our study abroad program participants. This membership offers a wide array of assistance, all of which is discussed with your prior to departure. We also want to hear from you, CBA has an emergency number (857.472.9702) that you can call at any time if your situation warrants it.
Q. How do I find out more information?
A. Call or email Danielle DiCoscia (617.373.3270) or Wilson Chaikittirattana (617-373-3068). We can set up an appointment to meet or arrange for you to talk to other students who have gone abroad.