Getting Started: Steps for Study Abroad

1. Take the Study Abroad 101 Quiz on Blackboard.

The Quiz is designed to familiarize study abroad applicants with the academic and financial issues related to study abroad, the application process, and the Study Abroad Handbook.

To register for the quiz, send an e-mail to studyabroad@northwestern.edu with "Study Abroad 101" in the subject line. Include your name and NetID in the e-mail. Registration takes places once a week, and you will receive a confirmation email at that time. You must pass the Quiz with a score of at least 90%.

Note: Students planning on applying only to a Northwestern summer program do NOT need to complete the Quiz and should consult the individual summer program pages for application instructions.

2. Learn about your School's policies for study abroad.

Each school has written a letter for prospective study abroad students.

3. Pick up your NU application.

After passing the Study Abroad 101, stop by the Study Abroad Office (630 Dartmouth Place) to pick up the NU Application for Permission to Study Abroad. This application is not available online and must be picked up, in person, by the following deadlines:
  • Applications for Fall, Fall/Winter, Fall/Winter/Spring, Fall/Spring, or Full Year 2010-2011:
    Friday, January 8, 2010
  • Applications for for Winter and/or Spring 2010:
    Friday, May 14, 2010
  • Students who are still in their first year or undecided about when they plan to study abroad may take the Quiz now and pick up the application later in the year or in the fall of 2010.

4. Research programs thoroughly.

Why do you want to study abroad? Where do you want to go? Choosing a study abroad program is an exciting process!

Browse programs online by region or by subject, and stop by our Resource Library (630 Dartmouth Place, 2nd Floor) to pick up program catalogs and read evaluations from past students.

5. Schedule an appointment with a Study Abroad Adviser.

After passing the Study Abroad 101, you may call the Study Abroad Office at 847-467-6400 to schedule an advising appointment. This step is strongly recommended, but not required. If you have general questions, you can also stop by for walk-in hours.

If you are interested in studying abroad on a non-Northwestern summer program, email the Study Abroad Office with your name and the program in which you are interested. A Study Abroad Adviser will contact you to let you know if the program's credits are transferable to Northwestern or if an advising appointment is necessary to discuss other options.

6. Complete your NU Application for Permission to Study Abroad on time.

This requires getting all necessary signatures and completing all essays by the deadlines below. Request a letter of recommendation at least four weeks before the deadlines, and make sure to schedule appointments early -- calendars fill up very quickly right before application deadlines!
  • Early Deadline Programs: Friday, January 8, 2010
    • Japan Study at Waseda University (Earlham)
    • Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (Columbia)
    • Oxford University (Arcadia)
    • Royal Academy of Music, London

  • Fall 2010 or Full Year 2010-2011:

    • Last names A-G: Thursday, January 21, 2010
    • Last names H-O: Tuesday, January 26, 2010
    • Last names P-Z: Friday, January 29, 2010

  • Summer 2010: Wednesday, March 3, 2010

  • Winter and/or Spring 2011: Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Review the NU Application Checklist & Frequently Asked Questions for requirements and further information on the application process.

Things to consider...

At this point in the study abroad process, some other things you should be thinking about:

  • When does my passport expire?
    Generally, your passport needs to be valid for six months after your planned date of return to the U.S. Check your expiration date, and if necessary, begin the application/renewal process as soon as possible!

  • When are my program's application deadlines?
    This information is available on your program provider's website.

  • Have I thought about financial aid and scholarships?