A Parent's Guide
to
Study Abroad
Programs
NIU
STUDENTS -
Visit the Study
Abroad Office
NOTE TO PARENTS
Now
is the time to
make this
critical
investment in
your son or
daughter's
future.
More and more
students are
realizing the
short and long
term benefits of
studying abroad
during their
college career.
Deciding to send
your child on an
overseas student
exchange program
is a big
decision.
For many
students, this
will be the first
time they spend a
significant
length of time
away from their
parents, let
alone travel
overseas.
However, for
those parents and
students who are
willing to take
up the challenge
of an exchange
program, the
rewards are
immense.
Study abroad
offers the ideal
vehicle for
parents to
support their
children in the
growing up
process. It
offers the
student a unique
opportunity to
learn in another
culture, within
the security of a
host family and a
host institution
carefully chosen
to allow the
transfer of
credit to an NIU
degree. Students
studying a
foreign language
will perfect the
accent and
greatly expand
their
vocabulary--a
skill retained
for life. Making
new friends, and
travel and
decision making,
are also key
parts of the
study abroad
experience.
NIU's
Passport to the
World
-
NIU
encourages its
students to
study abroad as
part of their
educational
objectives.
-
NIU is formally
affiliated
with, or
directly
sponsors, many
study abroad
programs and
exchanges.
-
All
NIU-approved
programs
through the
Study Abroad
Office may
allow transfer
of credit.
-
NIU will accept
financial aid
for all
programs from
students who
are eligible
for financial
aid. (See
COSTS AND
FINANCIAL AID).
Tuition waivers
do not apply.
Your son or
daughter has
expressed an
interest in
Northern Illinois
University's
study abroad
programs.
The Study Abroad
staff
congratulates
them on this
decision and wish
to help in
dealing with any
of the
administrative
issues that may
arise while your
son or daughter
is off campus.
Parents play an
important role in
helping their
children decide
about study
abroad; however,
you will need
accurate
information. You
may want to
purchase a guide
to help you
through this
process.
Study Abroad:
A Parent's Guide
is a resource
published by
NAFSA:
Association of
International
Educators. You
can order it
through their web
page:
www.nafsa.org.
In this
interdependent
world, the value
of spending some
portion of an
academic career
in another
country is widely
recognized. The
competence,
sensitivity, and
personal growth
students acquire
through study
abroad are
crucial in their
preparation for a
career. Most of
the students who
have had an
experience
overseas say that
this living and
learning time has
been the most
enriching and
beneficial part
of their lives.
Study abroad can
help your son or
daughter bring
focus to a career
search and even
give him or her
an edge when
looking for a job
after graduation.
COSTS AND
FINANCIAL AID
You may think
that study abroad
may be too
expensive for
your son or
daughter and that
he or she cannot
afford this
opportunity.
Contrary to what
most believe,
almost all
students can
afford to study
abroad if they
plan well. Early
planning is the
key to a
successful study
abroad
experience.
Costs vary
according to the
program. Specific
information about
each program's
costs is
available from
the Study Abroad
Office.
Generally
SEMESTER study
abroad program
costs include
tuition, room and
board, and
required student
medical insurance
and can range
from
$5,000-$12,000,
depending on the
program.
NIU ADMINISTERED
(FACULTY
DIRECTED) study
abroad program
generally include
tuition, room and
board, required
student medical
insurance, land
transportation
and personal
expenses and can
range from
$2,500-$7,000,
depending on the
term and the type
of program.
The most
important step is
to establish a
budget to help
you decide the
right balance
between program
value and the
money available.
Financial aid may
make study abroad
affordable.
Many
scholarships,
federal student
loans, and state
grants that are
normally
applicable to
campus programs
can be applied to
study abroad
program costs.
NIU tuition
waivers do not
apply. We
encourage all NIU
students to meet
with the
International
Programs business
manager to
discuss financial
aid
possibilities.
Please contact
The Study Abroad
Office for a
flyer regarding
scholarships.
Types of Programs
Available through
Northern Illinois
University
NIU is formally
affiliated with,
or directly
sponsors, many
study abroad
programs and
exchanges. These
programs that are
approved through
the Study Abroad
Office may allow
transfer of
credit to an NIU
degree.
Regardless of the
type of program,
all students
apply through
the NIU Study
Abroad Office
and remain
registered at
NIU
during their
study abroad
experience.
Students can
choose among
several ways to
study overseas.
Staff in the
Study Abroad
Office can help
students select
from the
following
options.
NIU Administered
Programs (Faculty
Directed) -
Summer/Winter
Sessions
NIU faculty
members and
academic
departments
organize NIU
study abroad
programs for
undergraduates,
graduates,
students-at-large
(SALs), and
professionals.
Students will
earn NIU credit
(usually 3 to 6
hours) in NIU
courses, and
remain registered
at NIU while
abroad.
While some
programs are
residency
programs, others
are travel
seminars that
introduce
students to
various countries
and their
cultures.
Most faculty
directed program
are offered
during the summer
session. Some are
offered during
winter break
(December/January).
NIU administered
programs offer a
lower-cost
alternative to
the usual
semester or
academic year
study abroad
experience.
All NIU
administered
programs are lead
by NIU faculty
members. Students
and faculty will
have the
advantage of a
significant
international
experience that
enriches the
international
flavor of NIU
campus courses.
Semester/Academic
Year Programs –
Fall, Spring,
Summer, Academic
Year
NIU approves many
carefully
selected study
abroad programs
operated
by other
institutions in
different
countries.
The Study Abroad
staff strives
to balance
freedom of choice
with the quality
of programs
available
to NIU
students.
These programs
offer
opportunities for
meaningful study
and life in an
environment that
provides American
style support
services. Foreign
study centers
arrange these
programs for a
group of U.S.
students.
Academic
Internships
Academic
internships allow
students to
progress toward
their academic
degree while
earning practical
experience in the
field.
Internships
provide work
experience in a
realistic
environment. They
are available
during the summer
or the semester.
Student Exchanges
and Direct
Enrollment
Eligible students
register directly
at the foreign
institution. They
become part of
the student life
at the host
institution.
These programs
allow students to
fully immerse in
a new culture.
Students pay NIU
tuition. These
programs are
among the least
expensive and
most exciting
programs.
Placements in
such programs are
limited and
qualifications
for admission are
higher.
International
Student Exchange
Programs (ISEP)
Through ISEP NIU
can offer more
than 100
universities
worldwide. These
exchange programs
include NIU
tuition, fees,
and room and
board through the
length of the
exchange.
Participants
register as
regular students
at the host
institution, take
the same courses,
have the same
assignments and
participate in
the same
activities as
local students at
that institution.
Placements in
such programs are
limited and
qualifications
for admission are
higher.
GENERAL
GUIDELINES
Grade Point
Average:
Generally, if
students are in
good academic
standing, they
may be eligible
to study abroad
and earn credit
toward their NIU
degree. Students
must also meet
the grade point,
foreign language
(if any), and
other
requirements of
the program that
they would like
to attend.
Academic Credit:
Before departure
students must
find out with
certainty if NIU
will approve for
credit the
courses that they
will take
overseas. It is
very important
that they have
thorough academic
advising before
their departure.
Study abroad
should be
considered as an
opportunity to
expand
intellectual and
cultural horizons
by living and
studying in
another culture
Choosing a Study
Abroad Program:
Early planning is
the key to a
successful study
abroad
experience. The
earlier students
begin planning,
the more
effectively they
can work it into
their curriculum.
The Study Abroad
staff encourages
students to begin
thinking about
study abroad
during their
freshman year.
Informational
Brochures:
Please call our
office to request
any of the
following
informational
brochures that
can help you
through this
planning period
with your son or
daughter.
-
A Guide to
Study Abroad
for NIU
Students
-
How to Find
Money to Study
Abroad
-
FAQ About Study
Abroad
-
General
Brochure about
Study Abroad
-
Stay Healthy
and Safe While
Traveling
YOUR CONTACT AT
NIU:
Study Abroad
Office
Williston Hall
417
DeKalb, IL
60115
Telephone:
815-753-0420 or
0700
E-mail:
niuabroad@niu.edu
The NIU Study
Abroad staff will
be happy to
answer any
questions you may
have, address
your concerns,
and guide you in
the right
direction through
this experience.
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