How to Apply

Traditional study abroad (semester and summer):

Meeting with a Study Abroad Coordinator

When the student is ready to begin the application process s/he will need to contact a study abroad coordinator to obtain the formal application materials.  These materials can either be e-mailed to the student or picked up in person at the Office of International Study Programs. Please note that a student can only apply to ONE study abroad program per session (i.e., one program in summer I, one program in summer 2, one program in the fall, and one in the spring). In some cases, there may be an exception, please see an advisor for more details.

All students will need to complete the OISP online application form as well as the host institution's application. Please consult with a study abroad advisor as some host institutions have an on-line application while others have a paper based application. Please note that all students are required to live within the accommodations provided by the host institution/program abroad.

In addition to the application forms (OISP's and the Host Institution's) all students will be required to submit their Official Northeastern University Transcripts and a copy of the photo ID page in their passports.

Depending on the specifics of the host institutions some students may be required to submit additional supporting application materials such as a letter of recommendation, passport size photos, medical evaluation forms, personal statements, writing samples and resumes/ cv's.

All application materials, with the exception of the on-line host institution's application, must be submitted to the Office of International Study Programs. 

Once all of the application materials have been received by OISP they will be sent to the host institution by the OISP deadline.  Students will be notified of acceptance to the program shortly thereafter.

Should students have any questions regarding the application process they should contact the Office of International Study Programs.

Earning Northeastern Credit

Each course students take abroad is evaluated by faculty and a Northeastern University equivalent course is assigned by the appropriate department faculty head. Students should refer to the "Course Equivalents" database on our Web site to determine how foreign courses transfer to NU. It is imperative that students meet with their academic advisors to ensure the courses they take abroad will not deter them from their graduation plans. Students receive NU credit for all courses taken abroad. They are awarded 4 NU credits per course* regardless of the host institutions credit system. This means that NU course numbers are posted to the transcript, along with the grade received on the foreign transcript. It is important to keep in mind that the grades students receive abroad are factored into their NU GPA. Foreign grades are converted to the U.S. equivalent grades in cases where the grading scheme is different.

*Exceptions made for Beijing, Grenoble, Tokyo, & Cambridge programs. Please contact our office for further information.

Pass/Fail Policy

Pass/Fail Policy: As a reminder, all of the courses you take abroad will transfer back with a letter grade and be factored into your GPA.  Students may designate one course (that is equivalent to one 4 credit NEU course) pass/fail per semester if their host institution allows for the course to be taken for pass/fail credit. If you choose to take a course pass/fail, you must email studyabroadcourses@neu.edu with the course name and number within two weeks of your program start date. Students will not be allowed to change a course to pass/fail once this date has passed. Please note that no major, minor, or core classes can be taken as pass/fail. Additionally, Northeastern University students are not allowed to take business nor engineering courses for pass/fail credit.  All business and engineering courses taken abroad must be taken for a letter grade regardless of the student’s major at Northeastern University.  *The Pass/Fail policy is in effect as of summer 1 2012.

Registration & Cost

OISP will register each student for a country placeholder course that will maintain their full time status while abroad. Because full-time student status is maintained, students will remain eligible for financial aid and students pay NU tuition while they are abroad.  The cost of a semester abroad includes NU tuition for the semester chooses to study abroad plus a study abroad fee. This program fee is charged to the NU student account prior to departure. Any additional expenses such as; single housing upgrades, on-site class fees, field trips, etc. that are not included in the program fee will be charged directly to the student's account in addition to the program fee. Students will be financially responsible for these additional costs. Please refer to our Programs Page for more information.

Dialogue of Civilizations:

Dialogue of Civilization:

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

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 OISP by the stated deadline.

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?