Applying

Eligibility Requirements

Traditional study abroad (summer and semester) - Full-time Northeastern undergraduate student, sophomore year or above, and must meet the GPA requirement of the program. At minimum, all programs require students to have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. All students must have completed two full semesters of academic work through NU.  Foreign language requirements apply to some programs.

Dialogue of Civilizations - Each Dialogue of Civilizations program has its own eligibility requirements.  Please reference the specific program's page for details.  At minimum, all programs require students to have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.  Additionally, students must have completed two full semesters of academic work through NU.

Note: All students are considered on an individual basis.

Application Procedure

*Please note, even partial applications are submitted.  Please do not start this application unless you plan to complete it.

Traditional study abroad:

1. Students are required to attend a study abroad information session. The study abroad information sessions provide a general in-depth overview of program offerings, policies, and important timeline information. Dates, times and locations for the OISP information sessions are listed on our home page. In addition to the information sessions, students going on traditional study abroad programs  are advised to meet with a study abroad coordinator either by appointment or during office walk-in hours. Our office recognizes that many NU students are on coop and cannot attend the information sessions or walk-in hours. As such, study abroad advisors work with students to either meet in the morning or schedule lunch phone interviews.  OISP also has evening appointments from 5-7.  To schedule such a meeting, please call the general office line at 617-373-5276.
2. Meet with other Advisors: Since your study abroad semester impacts many facets of your academic career at NU, students are advised to meet with a number of their advisors; including Faculty Advisor, Coop Advisor, Financial Aid, Disability Coordinator (if necessary). Additionally, all students must meet with their academic advisors to review course selections before going abroad.
3. After meeting with the appropriate advisors and you have a made a decision about your study abroad destination, a study abroad advisor/coordinator will check your eligibility for your desired program. Upon confirming your eligibility for the program, the advisor will review the application process and procedure with you. Please note that each program has its own application forms and requirements. In addition to the program specific application, starting fall 2010, all students are required to complete an online OISP application form. OISP staff will notify students of application procedures once the online application system becomes available. Some programs may require a letter of recommendation, a personal statement, passport size photos, medical exam, and/or an application fee. Refer to the program fact sheets for specific details.
4. With the exception to online application submissions, all supporting documentation (i.e., letters of recommendation, transcripts, passport photos, etc.) will be returned to OISP by the appropriate deadline. OISP will only send out complete applications to the host institutions for evaluation. Students should not send any application material directly to the host institution.

Dialogue of Civilizations:

You may only apply to one Dialogue program per summer term.  No exceptions.  Application information will be forwarded to the faculty by the deadline, at which time, the faculty may request individual one-to-one interviews. Faculty will be reviewing all applications, making final decisions of acceptance, and communicating to the students the decisions.  Please note, even partial applications are submitted.  Please do not start the application unless you plan to complete it.

*** DO NOT START THIS APPLICATION UNTIL YOU HAVE PDFS OR WORD DOCUMENTS OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SAVED AND ON HAND:

• Unofficial transcript (open on myNEU and save as pdf)
• Essay questions (see below)
• Scan of passport ID page - signature and photo pages open (if you do not have a passport, please apply for one ASAP and submit a copy to your faculty leader once you receive it)

THE APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED IN ONE SESSION.  YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR APPLICATION ONCE YOU SUBMIT IT.  STUDENTS MAY ONLY APPLY TO ONE PROGRAM PER SUMMER TERM.

1. Complete the online application for a Dialogue of Civilizations program
2. Upload your unofficial transcript to the OISP online application
3. Upload your essays to the OISP online application
4. Upload a photocopy of the information page of your passport to the OISP online application. Please note: You must have a valid passport to study abroad. (If you do not have a passport, please apply for one ASAP and submit a copy to your faculty leader once you receive it.)
5. All materials must be completed and submitted to the OISP online application by February 15, 2012.

Please answer all of the following questions (2-3 pages total, single spaced) and upload them in the field provided in the "Upload Essay" section of the on-line application.

1.What are your personal and academic reasons for wishing to participate in this Dialogue of Civilizations program?

2.How will the program further your academic and career goals?

3.What is your previous travel and language experience, if any?

4.What courses have you taken which are directly relevant to the program?