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Study Abroad for Linguistics

Can I study abroad as a Linguistics Major or Minor?

Yes! Studying abroad is a natural attraction for students interested in languages and enriches the study of linguistics, so students are encouraged to study abroad. In fact, the degree requirements for the Linguistics major and minor were revised recently to make it even easier to pursue a study abroad experience. 

Courses taken abroad may also count toward requirements for the major or minor. 

For more information, visit the Department website

Faculty Perspective

Jennifer Cole, Professor in Linguistics

Whether you’re learning to communicate in a new language, or a different variety of English, you’ll come away from study abroad with a deeper awareness of the intricacies of language and its role in human interactions.

When can I study abroad as a Linguistics Major or Minor?

You can begin exploring possible study abroad options as early as your first year!

Northwestern has an array of semester and full-year programs available to help you broaden your study of linguistics.

Summer: Northwestern is not affiliated with any linguistics programs during the Summer term; however, there are options to study abroad on unaffiliated programs for academic credit or participate in non-credit bearing opportunities.

What classes can I take abroad?

Linguistics students are able to take a wide variety of courses abroad, including history, culture, anthropology, psychology, and philosophy. You are strongly encouraged to seek advising from the Director of Undergraduate Studies prior to departure in order to understand the program's policy on transferring course credit and to receive help in the selection of courses abroad.

You can also take courses outside Linguistics to help fulfill other degree requirements, learn or improve on a language, or just to take advantage of the opportunity to learn something new.

Read more about academic planning and choosing courses abroad.

What type of credit can I get from study abroad?

Any courses required for the major or minor may be substituted by a course abroad with approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Courses taken abroad must have substantial overlap with a similar course at Northwestern and advanced courses must presume prior knowledge and prerequisites.

Note that foreign language courses do not count toward the Linguistics major or minor; however, courses in the history of a language, language linguistics, and/or cultural courses related to a language could.

In addition, your Weinberg adviser can help you identify if a distribution requirement could be fulfilled abroad and your GLO adviser can help you identify programs that offer these types of credit.

Suggested Programs for Linguistics

These programs are highlighted because they have have yielded credit toward the Linguistics major/minor.

Interested in other programs or non-major credit? Search for more study abroad options.

Next Steps

Unsure where to start? Check out the Get Started page for some helpful next steps.

We also encourage you to meet with your Linguistics adviser to discuss your academic course plan and with a GLO adviser to learn more about the programs you're considering.