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Curious about study abroad? Here’s where to start

Whether you want to study education in New Zealand or computer science in Chile, here’s your field guide to a perspective-changing experience
October 17, 2024 | By Teresa Nowakowski
Binoculars trained on the words field guide
Hundreds of Wildcats study abroad each year — will you join them? Illustration by John Rodas

This story is part of an occasional series detailing life on campus — from people and places to processes and programs. Field Guide shows you the lay of the land at Northwestern.

By the time she arrived at Northwestern, Annie Lee ’24 already planned to study abroad during her college career. What she hadn’t planned was doing it twice in one year.

The sociology and global health major was spending the fall of her junior year in Vienna, when she received a surprising email. After being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Northwestern’s Public Health & Development in South Africa program was returning that spring. She decided to apply, and a few months later, she boarded a flight to South Africa.

Her classes in both locations expanded her perspective of what public health looks like: In Vienna, professionals working in the city taught her classes. In South Africa, she took class field trips to hospitals and spoke to people with firsthand experience.

“It helped me to get a broader view of what health could mean in other places,” Lee said.

> Jump right in: Meet program providers, GLO advisers and student ambassadors on Oct. 23 at the 2024 study abroad fair

Though Lee’s second round of jet-setting might be less common, hundreds of Wildcats study abroad each year. Prior to the pandemic, between 700 and 800 students traveled abroad each year, according to the Global Learning Office (GLO), which offers credit-bearing study abroad, exchange, research and academic internship opportunities for undergraduates.

However, during the 2023-2024 academic year, more than 1,000 students studied abroad. And this year, a similar number of students are set to gain international experiences that augment their education and help prepare them for today’s complex and interconnected world.

If you want to join the ranks of Northwestern’s globe-trotting students, here’s your guide to getting started.

Can I study abroad? I heard it’s too hard for some majors to fit into their schedule.

Short answer: Yes! “With the right planning, study abroad is open to every single school and every single major at Northwestern,” said Sara McGuinn, associate director for global engagement programs at GLO, which offers support for students before, during and after their study abroad experience.

Your academic adviser and GLO advisers can help you find the best program and time to go abroad to ensure you stay on-track for graduation.

Okay, I’m interested, but where do I start?

Start by exploring your options. In the GLO portal, you can see the full list of programs. Filter by country, housing style, language prerequisites and more to narrow down the list and find the programs that best suit your needs. Not sure what you’re looking for? Try GLO’s study abroad goals assessment to help you clarify what you want to get out of a study abroad opportunity.

When McGuinn helps students narrow down their list of programs, she starts with academics.

“Ultimately, study abroad is studying; it's an academic experience, so I always want to know what's your major, what kind of credit do you need while you're abroad?” McGuinn said.

From there, you can start thinking about your personal goals. Is there a language you want to learn? A part of the world you’ve always been curious about? To continue narrowing it down, think about the characteristics you’re looking for in your experience, like types of housing, who you’ll be taking classes with and the kind of support you’ll need while abroad.

“With the right planning, study abroad is open to every single school and every single major at Northwestern,” said Sara McGuinn, associate director for global engagement programs at GLO. Above, Annie Lee ’24, right, and four Northwestern students on her study abroad program enjoy an adventure in Budapest, Hungary. Photo courtesy of Annie Lee

What do the program types mean?

There are three study abroad program types, each with different characteristics. First, Northwestern programs are owned and operated by the University: GLO and academic departments design the curricula and classes, which you’ll take with a cohort of Northwestern students. These 11 programs have a set curriculum, and you’ll earn direct Northwestern credit. They’ll also offer you the most support during your time abroad.

For those with academic interests outside the programs offered by Northwestern, there are more than 100 partner programs. These are run by other organizations or institutions that have been approved by the University. Partner programs vary widely in everything from subject to class size. The partner institution provides support during your time abroad.

The final type is exchange programs, which involve enrolling directly at a partner institution abroad, where you’ll take classes with local students. These programs require a great deal of independence and self-direction, sometimes including arranging your own housing while abroad.

How does study abroad work on the quarter system?

Many partner and exchange programs operate on the semester system. Fall semester programs tend to line up most closely with Northwestern’s academic calendar, so students who study abroad during the fall are usually only away for one quarter. However, spring semester programs often overlap with both the winter and spring quarters, meaning students are away for two quarters.

For this reason, a majority of students choose to do fall study abroad programs. Still, if there’s a winter, spring or full-year program catching your eye, talk to your academic adviser — plenty of students fit these programs in during their undergraduate careers.

I’ve been looking around, but there are so many options. Is there someone who can help me?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or want more information, you can attend a Study Abroad 101 virtual session. Find times and sign up here. Additionally, every fall, GLO and program and campus partners team up to host the Study Abroad Fair, where you can learn about programs, get your questions answered and gather resources to help navigate the process. The 2024 study abroad fair is Oct. 23 — learn more about the event here.

You also can meet with a GLO adviser at any time. Whether it’s your first quarter and you’re thinking about studying abroad in two years, or you’re ready to dive into the application process for next fall, someone from GLO can help. “It's never too early to meet with somebody in my office,” McGuinn said.
GLO advisers can be a resource during any step of the study abroad process. Above, students during the Global Engagement Summer Institute in Vietnam in 2023. Photo courtesy of Dena Cher-Fils

When should I start the process? When do I need to apply?

McGuinn recommends meeting with your academic adviser as soon as you decide you’re interested in study abroad, so you can plan out what credits you need and the best time for you to go. Then, about one year before the time you’d like to go abroad, schedule a meeting with GLO.

GLO recommends starting the study abroad application process in earnest — including, crucially, applying for or renewing your passport — at least four or five months before your desired program’s application deadline.

In general, applications open in the fall, and the sooner you start your application, the better. Summer, fall and full-year programs usually have deadlines in December or February, but make sure to check the application date for your specific program. (Learn more about deadlines here.)

Going abroad sounds expensive. How am I going to pay for it?

Traveling abroad doesn’t have to break the bank. Financial aid covers Northwestern, partner and exchange study abroad programs, and there are advisers in the financial aid office available to meet with students considering study abroad. It’s important to note that cost of living does vary widely among locations, making it an important financial consideration. Still, “there are affordable program options for everybody,” McGuinn said. Check out the GLO’s Money Matters section and finance FAQs for more information. 

What do I gain from studying abroad?

For Lee, a lifelong Evanstonian, studying abroad was a chance to experience new cultures and places. It also offered unique academic opportunities, whether it was immersion through site visits or simply enrolling in classes she might not have otherwise taken.

And beyond new academic perspectives, you can also gain life skills. “Transitioning from one culture to another culture or having to go through normal life in a different language — those are all pretty big challenges that require students to become more adaptable, to be able to deal with ambiguity more effectively and to be able to shift perspectives,” McGuinn said. “Those are lifelong benefits.”

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