Sharks Abroad Program Options

STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM OPTIONS

Study Abroad at NSU refers to programs where students take pre-approved courses at a foreign university and transfer those courses back to their NSU degree.

Finances: 

• Students pay study abroad organization / foreign university for their study abroad experience.  At a minimum this usually typically includes tuition, housing, on-site support, and international travel insurance.  Some programs may include extras such as excursions, meals, and local transportation.  
• Students do not pay NSU for tuition or housing (as they will not be earning NSU credit nor staying in NSU housing).
• NSU scholarships (such as the President's, Dean's, and Razor's Edge awards) are are not available for use toward the program cost.  Federal, state, and outside aid is typically available.
• There are many scholarship opportunities to help cover some or all of the cost of studying abroad.  Scholarship opportunities include merit based, need based, and scholarships to increase diversity in study abroad.  Scholarships are offered by NSU, our study abroad partners, the US federal government and other external funding sources.
• See the Finances & Scholarships page for additional information.

Academics:

• A program is only a study abroad program if students will earn academic credit abroad from an organization/institution and transfer this credit back to NSU.  
• Students can transfer back major, minor, and open elective coursework as long as it is pre-approved by NSU's Transfer Evaluation Services and/or the student's academic program.
• Most students find that open elective credits are the most commonly offered courses abroad and therefore are the most transfer-friendly. 

Destinations:

• Through our partnership networks, NSU offers study abroad destinations all around the world.  
• Visit our Study Abroad Program Options page for more information.

Duration:

• Study abroad programs durations vary from as short as one week to as long as an entire academic year -- and everything in between.  
• Our most popular study abroad options are for one semester or several weeks over the summer.
• Visit our Study Abroad Program Options page for more information.

Timeline, Applications & Deadlines:

• Studying abroad is one of the more intensive Sharks Abroad options and requires significant preparation.  Students should tell their Academic Advisor they are interested in studying abroad as soon as they arrive to NSU and remind them during every advising appointment.  This will allow Academic Advisors to help modify the student's academic plan to leave as much flexibility for transfer coursework as possible.
• The first step is to attend a Sharks Abroad Information Session.  Visit the Getting Started page for more information.
• Application Deadlines:
  • Winter and Spring Programs: October 15
  • Summer, Fall and Academic Year Programs: March 1
  • Visit the Sharks Abroad Application page for more information

TRAVEL STUDY PROGRAM OPTIONS

Travel Study at NSU refers to programs where students enroll in an NSU course and travel abroad as part of that course.   

Finances: 

• Students are responsible for any NSU tuition costs connected to the NSU course.  Undergraduate students who are charged the full-time tuition rate are not charged extra for Travel Study tuition costs during the fall and winter semester as long as their total enrollment is between 12-18 credits.  
• Students are also responsible for travel costs associated with the program.  Costs vary based on the destination, duration, activities, and inclusions.  See the Travel Study Program Options page for additional information.
• While there may be some scholarship options, most travel study programs do not qualify for external study abroad scholarship opportunities.  See the Finances and Scholarships page for additional information.

Academics:

• Students register for an NSU course in order to participate in the travel study option.  Registration may be open to all students or limited to certain majors, students with certain pre-requisite courses, and/or students who are selected through an application process.
• See the Travel Study Program Options page for additional information.

Destinations:

• Destinations for Travel Study programs are limited based on the offerings that are created and offered by NSU faculty.
• Visit our Travel Study Program Options page for more information.

Duration:

• Most Travel Study programs are between one and five weeks long. 
• Travel Study programs typically take place during NSU's Winter Break, Spring Break, or Summer Break.
• Visit our Travel Study Program Options page for more information. 

Timeline, Applications & Deadlines:

• Typically students apply and/or register for the Travel Study course the semester prior to when the course will travel.
• Some programs have applications while others simply require registration.  All programs will require a deposit to secure your spot in the program.
• Travel Study deadlines vary by program.  Visit the Travel Study Program Options page for more information.  

NON-CREDIT TRAVEL EXPLORATION PROGRAM OPTIONS

Non-Credit Travel Exploration is a catch-all category for a wide variety of international opportunities that students participate in connected to their NSU experience but for which they do not earn any academic credit. 

This can include:

• International Service Learning & Volunteer Opportunities
• International Internships
• Medical Missions & Medical Shadowing

It is important to note that most or all of the experiences listed above have for-credit options as well.  For example, an International Service Learning program may be done in connection with an NSU course.  Because NSU credit is earned, this would instead be considered a Travel Study option.  Another example is an International Internship which is taken during a course on an established study abroad program.  In this case, because credit is earned and transferred back to NSU, this would be considered a Study Abroad option.

Below is information ONLY for non-credit options.  For programs that offer credit, please review information in the appropriate section above -- Study Abroad (transfer credit) or Travel Study (NSU credit). 

Finances: 

• Because no credit is earned, program costs are typically not eligible for scholarships and financial aid. However, students are invited to see the Finances and Scholarships page for additional information.

Academics:

• As these are non-credit experience, there are not any academic considerations for these types of programs.
• Students are able to receive up to ExEL units for their participation.

Destinations:

• Destinations tend to be very flexible for non-credit options offered by NSU's partner organizations.  
• For non-credit options offered by NSU, destinations are set by the NSU department or organization offering the travel. 
• Visit our Non-Credit Travel Exploration Program Options page for more information.

Duration:

• Most non-credit options are between one and five weeks long. 
• Non-credit options typically take place during NSU's Winter Break, Spring Break, or Summer Break.
• Visit our Non-Credit Travel Exploration Program Options page for more information. 

Timeline, Applications & Deadlines:

• Typically students sign up for non-credit options 3-6 months prior to when the program goes abroad. 
• Some programs have applications while others simply require paying a deposit.  
• Deadlines vary by program.  Visit the Non-Credit Travel Exploration Program Options page for more information.