Studying Abroad

Dear Student,

Congratulations! In exploring Study Abroad you are making an investment in yourself and in your future. North Park is committed to helping students live lives of significance and service. We believe that part of that journey is getting to know yourself, and there are few better ways to do this than to study abroad. International travel and education enable you to see the culture from which you come in a new way, and to develop new skills and outlooks that will aid in your personal development.

North Park has a variety of programs to meet different needs and expectations. If you are able to study for a week, a quad, a semester, or longer; if you are a foreign language major or minor and want to hone your foreign language skills by living and studying independently; if you want to experience an international culture with the familiarity that North Park classmates and professors provide; if you know precisely where and what you want to study; or if you simply think that going somewhere would be beneficial, the Study Abroad Office is here to help.

Studying abroad, and the process of applying to do so, takes time and hard work on your part. In the end, though, the process should also lead to fun and interesting outcomes.

Your responsibilities in the application process include the following:

• Learn how study abroad works at North Park and familiarize yourself with study abroad requirements.
• Talk with your parents/guardians and academic advisors about your plans.
• Determine how studying abroad will affect your finances and your financial aid package.
• Identify your goals in studying abroad.
• Submit a North Park Study Abroad application by the deadline. Check with the Study Abroad Advisor for specific dates.
• If accepted, participate in all required orientation and re-entry sessions, submit all necessary pre-departure forms, and fulfill any necessary conditions to obtain official North Park approval to study abroad.

In turn, my responsibilities in this process include providing you with information about North Park's study abroad policies and procedures, assisting you in finding a program that meets your needs and interests, coordinating the application process, and conducting pre-departure and re-entry activities.

Please read through the Study Abroad Handbook carefully. Then, if you still have questions or would like to discuss your study abroad options, feel free to make an appointment with me.

I look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Pope

Director of the International Office