Get Involved in International Activities

The study abroad experience does not end when you return home. Take the skills you learned abroad and benefit from them in the future. Check out the following opportunities to build on your study abroad experiences:

Participate in other Northwestern international clubs

  • Australia and New Zealand Club
  • Chinese Student and Scholar Association
  • Chinese Business Club
  • Chinese Christian Fellowship
  • Hong Kong Student Association
  • Japan Club
  • Korean Student Association
  • Latin American, Hispanic, and Iberian Management Association
  • Republic of China Taiwanese Association
  • South Asian Student Alliance
  • Thai Club
  • Turkish Student Association

Help an international student get acclimated to the area

The Community Council For International Students (CCIS), associated with Northwestern's International Office, is a volunteer group dedicated to making Northwestern's international students feel welcome. They run a variety of programs and are always looking for volunteers.

Returnees may be interested the following programs:
  • Foster Relative: You are paired with an international student or couple, who you invite to social activities throughout the year. For more information, contact Greta Sims (call 847-328-7394 or e-mail rgsims@att.net).
  • English Conversation Partners: You are paired individually with an international student and meet weekly to practice English. For more information, contact Joan Fragen (call 847-446-0184 or e-mail joanmaur@aol.com).

Work/Volunteer at the Study Abroad Office

Each year, the Study Abroad Office hires a few returnees on work-study to work in the office, plan events, advise prospective students, and help with administrative tasks. If you are looking for a work-study position, we encourage you to contact us to see if we have positions available!

Check out international organizations in Evanston & Chicago

Getting involved in a local internationally oriented organization is a great way to follow up on your study abroad.

Evanston-based organizations:
  • Ten Thousand Villages
    This non-profit fair trade store provides income to Third World artisans by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories. It is associated with the national organization, Ten Thousand Villages

  • Rotary International
    Through community service and other means, Rotary club members help promote peace and understanding throughout the world.
Chicago-based organizations:
  • Centro Romero
    This community-based organization serves the Latino immigrant and refugee population, which is facing the challenge of integrating into U.S. society. The Centro promotes social and civic participation in mainstream America to increase community members' opportunities for upward social mobility.
  • Chicago Council on Global Affairs
    This organization sponsors a variety of events for members, including language dinners, lectures on particular cultures or issues and international trips.
  • Chicagoindia.com
    This web site provides links to the Indian community in the Chicago area.
  • Foundation for Human Rights in Guatemala
    This foundation's mission is to educate, make known, monitor and be vigilant for the full respect of human rights in Guatemala. Its principal objective is the complete fulfillment of the Global Accord on Human Rights, signed between the Guatemalan Revolutionary National Unity (URNG) and the government of Guatemala.
  • Illinois Ethnic Coalition (IEC)
    IEC is committed to improving understanding across racial and ethnic lines. It has supported activities, including conferences and open forums, dialogs with ethnic and community leaders, civil rights advocacy, diversity training programs for teachers, coalition-building workshops, voter education, and cultural exchanges.
  • Illinois Folk Dance Association
    Folk dances include Balkan, English Country, English Ritual, International, Israeli Round, and Scottish.
  • International Visitors Center of Chicago (IVCC)
    IVCC acts as a liaison between approximately 1,500 international visitors and their Chicago-area counterparts each year. Members can meet and host visitors and attend a variety of international events.
  • National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum
    This museum houses more than 700 works of fine art created by international artists who participated as soldiers in the Vietnam War. All of the pieces chronicle their individual experiences in that conflict.
  • United Way-Chicago
    United Way International helps build a better quality of life through voluntary giving and action. United Way branches in Evanston and Chicago work with community groups on many issues. Call the United Way Volunteer Helpline (1-800-725-5314) to be paired with a volunteer position that meets your interests or referred to other organizations.

Share your experiences with prospective study abroad students

The Study Abroad Office is always looking for enthusiastic returnees to share their experiences at outreach events for prospective study abroad students. As you probably remember, students are eager to hear the "real story" from students who have already been there. If you are interested in sharing your experiences, please email us and we'll be in touch!

Also, consider writing about your study abroad experience in these travel magazines:
  • Abroad View publishes articles written by students about their travel and cultural experiences abroad.
  • Glimpse Magazine, a student-run online publication, publishes articles written by students abroad about current issues.
  • Student Traveler focuses on international student travel. Each issue highlights a particular theme, such as study abroad, work abroad, volunteering abroad, etc.
  • My Travel Bug is a playful website with fellowship resources, student travel stories, and a section of funny translations.
  • International Affairs Journal at UC Davis covers all aspects of foreign affairs in an insightful and interesting way.
  • Frontiers Journal is full of thought-provoking research articles, essays and book reviews about all things study abroad.

Develop materials for the Study Abroad Office

The Study Abroad Office is constantly developing new materials.

Informational documents
We are looking for returnees who can help us create informational documents on the following subjects:
  • Study abroad in a particular field (e.g., communication studies, life sciences, dance, Spanish, etc.)
  • Affiliated programs
  • Diversity issues abroad
  • The advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad for different lengths of time
For some projects, we may be able to pay a small stipend. If you are interested in working with us to develop these materials, or if you have other materials in mind, please contact the Study Abroad Office!

Essays and photos
Participate in the Study Abroad Office Essay & Photo Contest.

Find out about study abroad alumni groups

Find out about activities for alums through the organization that sponsored your study abroad program (e.g. Arcadia, IES, SIT, Syracuse, etc.). These organizations generally have active alumni groups.