How NSU students can study abroad

By Cassandra Stevens •

For Destiny Nicholson, senior political science major, studying abroad for a semester in Florence, Italy, made an impressive impact. She said it changed her as a person, taught her about problem-solving, and even changed her view of the world.

“You meet so many people, you learn how to communicate across cultures and languages. It definitely teaches you to be more considerate and open-minded, and I think that definitely came back with me,” Nicholson said.

NSU’s partners, such as Knowledge Exchange Institute and Semester at Sea, give students the opportunity to study abroad. The advisers at the Office of International Affairs guide students through the process. The office offers study abroad information sessions during the week and UNIV 1000 classes to help inform students about their options.

“When you come in as a freshman, you typically have open elective credits, and if you decide you want to study abroad, you can save those open electives for future years in college and you can take fun classes abroad,” Nicholson said.

Once a student expresses interest in going abroad, the adviser will recommend attending an information session at the Office of International Affairs. Then, when students decide to study abroad, they schedule advising sessions through the NSU International Office website and start brainstorming the best location fit.

Alexandra Coleman, senior criminal justice major and study abroad adviser, studied abroad in 2022.

“I went to South Korea in the winter 2022 semester. I loved it. I miss it a lot. It definitely encouraged me to be more independent,” Coleman said. “I liked it so much that I’m going back. You come back here, and it’s like you are missing a chunk of your heart.”

Once students choose their location, they explore the classes offered at their chosen university. Classes often transfer back as elective credits. The students make a list of their favorite classes and then visit their CAPS adviser to see which ones can be approved for transfer-back credit.

“We make sure the credits will transfer back to their degree before they leave, so that when they come back, nothing is messed up on their schedules. We try to get all degree-applicable classes,” Coleman said.

If students extend their abroad trip to a semester after the summer term, the would need to become a full-time student at the university attended and have degree-applicable credit.

For financial aid, Coleman said that programs have specific scholarships for which students can apply.

“If you do a semester-long program or longer than that, you are eligible to use your FAFSA abroad,” Coleman said. “If you’re a Pell Grant recipient, there’s a lot of external scholarships opportunities.”

There are also scholarships available on the needs-based side, in addition to academic-based scholarships, as well as ones for specific personal criteria.

“We have one scholarship that we allow anybody to apply for called the Stolzenberg-Doan. It awards up to $500,” Coleman said. “Then there’s also supplemental funding from the Honors College if you want reimbursement if you’re an honors student.”

After all this, students apply to NSU for approval of their selected program. The advisers warn that the due dates for NSU approval come fast and students have to get permission before they can move ahead to apply to their specific program. Once they do, they are put in a Canvas course to get their documents in order, such as their passports and visas.

By Cassandra Stevens