Choosing a Study Abroad Program

The richness of your experience abroad depends on picking the program that is right for you. Taking the time to identify your reasons for studying abroad and articulating what you hope to gain from the experience will not only help you choose a program, it will also keep you focused on a set of priorities while abroad.

Identify your study abroad goals

Why do you want to study abroad? Some students explore a particular academic field in more depth; others work toward more proficiency in a foreign language. What do you hope to achieve while abroad?

  • Challenge myself personally
  • Gain a new perspective on world affairs
  • Improve my professional skill set
  • Question my stereotypes/cultural biases
  • Experience a different educational system
  • Travel to nearby countries
  • Immerse myself in another culture
  • Take courses toward my major and/or minor
  • Continue research started at NU
  • Pursue an international internship
  • Participate in civic engagement opportunities
  • Gain independence/confidence
  • Take courses not available at Northwestern
  • What other goals do you have?

Research study abroad programs

Along with the broader goals you’ve identified above, consider some of the more practical issues that might influence your program selection. Do you have strong preferences about the following?

Location and Size
Do you have an academic or personal preference about where you want to study? Do you prefer to live in an urban or rural setting?

Duration
How long will you be able to study abroad? A year? A semester? A summer?

Program Type
There are various program styles, including direct enrollment in a foreign university, taking courses only with other study abroad students, service learning, spending most of your time on research or an internship, or a combination of these. Which learning style most interests you?

Academic Offerings/Language of Instruction
Do you want to fulfill major, minor or distribution requirements abroad? Are you interested in courses taught in English, in a foreign language, or a combination of the two?

Housing
Do you prefer to live in a student residence hall, with a host family, or independently? Do you prefer American roommates or local students?

Budget
Study abroad program tuition and additional expenses can be more or less than what you would spend at Northwestern. Be sure to consider what is feasible for you financially and create a budget.

Affiliated vs. Unaffiliated Programs
Northwestern strongly encourages students to apply to study abroad on affiliated programs. We have close working relationships with these programs and deem them to be of high quality in terms of academics, housing, cultural immersion, and administrative and emergency support services. However, students may be granted permission to apply to an unaffiliated program if they have a compelling academic reason and if the program meets the academic and student services standards of affiliated programs.

No financial aid is available through Northwestern for students who participate in unaffiliated programs, and the petitioning deadlines are 6-8 weeks prior to the regular application deadlines.

For more information, carefully review the instructions on Unaffiliated Study Abroad Programs.

Advice and resources

  1. The Northwestern Affiliated List: A list of all programs available to Northwestern students, searchable by country and subject area.

  2. Program Sponsor’s Website: Each program will have a one-page summary on our website, with a link to the sponsor for more information.

  3. Program Evaluations: Program evaluations are available in the Study Abroad Office Resource Library and are a great way to see what your peers have to say about the programs!

  4. Study Abroad Returnees: Contact past participants. In many cases your fellow students are the best resource for getting the inside scoop. A list of returnees is linked to each program information page on our website.

  5. Study Abroad Advisers: Make sure not only to meet with a study abroad adviser at Northwestern, but also to get in touch with the specific program advisers as well. They are a great resource for you if you have more specific questions about courses, housing, and extracurricular options.