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Find the Right Office

Northwestern offers a wealth of opportunities and services for our global community. Find the office or department that's right for you.

Office Audiences served

Office of International Student and Scholar Services

The International Office (IO) has changed its name to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS)The OISS advises and supports Northwestern's international students and scholars through visa assistance and other issues related to living and working in the US.  Visit the Office of International Student and Scholar Services website.

  • Northwestern's international students
  • Northwestern's international visitors and employees (including faculty members, staff, researchers, exchange visitors and short-term visitors) and their spouses

Office of Global Safety and Security

The Office of Global Safety and Security supports the health, safety and security of students and faculty who travel abroad under University support or sponsorship. Visit the Global Safety & Security website.

  • Northwestern faculty and staff traveling internationally
  • Northwestern graduate and undergraduate students traveling internationally

Office of International Relations

The Office of International Relations advances the strategic goals of the university by developing and strengthening international partnerships, developing international opportunities for students and faculty, hosting foreign delegations and events, and supporting and integrating the global activities of various units on campus. Visit the Office of International Relations website.

  • Northwestern students, faculty, staff, and international partners and visitors

Office of Undergraduate Admission

Northwestern's Office of Undergraduate Admission admits students to undergraduate programs in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences; School of Communication; School of Education and Social Policy; McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science; Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications; and Bienen School of Music. Visit the Office of Undergraduate Admission website.

  • Prospective international and domestic students and their families
Office Audiences served

Office of Global Safety and Security

The Office of Global Safety and Security supports the health, safety and security of students travel abroad under University support or sponsorship. Visit the Global Safety & Security website.

  • Northwestern graduate and undergraduate students studying abroad
  • Northwestern graduate and undergraduate students engaged in non-credit travel that is sponsored by the University

Global Learning Office (GLO)

Undergraduate Learning Abroad (ULA) and the Global Engagement Studies Institute (GESI) program have integrated to form the Global Learning Office (GLO). This integration, a natural progression after the previous merge of International Program Development (IPD) and the Study Abroad Office, now combines all former study abroad offices into an integrated resource for Northwestern students seeking global learning experiences. “Global learning” best describes its current work while also allowing space for growth in new and exciting ways. Visit the GLO website.

  • Northwestern students interested in studying abroad
  • Northwestern students currently studying abroad
  • Northwestern students who have returned from studying abroad
  • International students coming to Northwestern as exchange students

Travel Services

Northwestern Travel Services assists Northwestern faculty, staff, graduate students and University guests book travel and take advantage of travel-related benefits, such as negotiated rates, discounts and reimbursement for expenses. Visit the Travel Services website.

  • Northwestern faculty, staff and graduate students traveling abroad on behalf of the University
  • International guests of Northwestern University
Center or Institute

Buffett Institute for Global Affairs

The Buffett Institute for Global Affairs sponsors and facilitates collaborative interdisciplinary scholarship on crucial problems facing the world. Its activities promote dialogue on international affairs and contribute to preparing exemplary global citizens. Visit the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs website.

Center for Global Culture and Communication

The Center for Global Culture and Communication (CGCC) is an interdepartmental forum for bringing together School of Communication faculty and students to address the emerging importance of globalization in communication studies. Visit the CGCC website.

Center for Global Health

The Center for Global Health, within the Institute for Public Health and Medicine, promotes health equity issues on Northwestern University campuses and build upon the knowledge base in the field of global health through translational research and interdisciplinary education initiatives in both the US and globally. Visit the Center for Global Health website.

Center for International Human Rights

The Pritzker School of Law's Center for International Human Rights offers a four-year joint degree program leading to both a JD and an LLM in International Human Rights, with a focus on both international human rights law and international criminal law. Essential efforts focus on researching and addressing emerging human rights issues as they occur, as well as providing valuable clinical experiences for students interested in the protection of human rights on a global scale. Visit the Center for International Human Rights website.

Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa

The Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa (ISITA) sponsors and facilitates collaborative, interdisciplinary scholarship on the Islamic tradition of learning in Africa and promotes a broader awareness of the role of Islam in African societies, past and present. ISITA sponsors field research, conferences, visiting scholars, and publications.  Visit the ISITA website.

Institute for Sustainability and Energy (ISEN)

The Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern’s mission is to advance global sustainability and energy solutions through transformational research, interdisciplinary education, and public engagement. ISEN’s work spans a wide range of disciplines and schools across Northwestern. Visit the ISEN website.

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The Office of International Relations regularly welcomes international visitors and delegations to our campuses in Evanston and Chicago.