The Office of International Affairs is often considered a sanctuary for our many international students. But, even though many international students do view this office as a vessel for support and information, this is not the office’s sole purpose. If you are ever looking to broaden your learning experience and career development through study abroad, the Office of International Affairs is definitely the place to start.
While NSU does not have its own individual study abroad program, it does partner with several organizations to offer 100 locations of study, including destinations in Europe, Central America, Africa and many more. Each program, whether for a semester, summer or an entire year, can complement your major or can even just satisfy your personal curiosity. If you’re not yet sold on the benefits that studying abroad can provide, maybe you should listen to the tales of some of our Sharks who studied abroad this summer.
Laura Vergara
Year and major: junior finance and international studies major
Location: London, England
Program: King’s College
What I learned: “Traveling is always a great experience because it allows for new ideas and perspectives. Studying abroad had the benefits of traveling, but also adds the exposure and knowledge that is gained from immersing in the culture of the country and being one of the locals.”
My favorite part of the study abroad experience: “Immersing in the London culture and studying at King’s University, one of the top 20 universities in the world.”
Steven Alcide
Year and major: Senior criminal justice and international studies major
Location: Meknes, Morocco
Program: ISA
What I learned: “I learned a beginner’s level of Arabic and a whole lot about Arabic culture and Muslim religion while in Morocco.”
My favorite part of the study abroad experience: “I liked that my study abroad experience was beneficial to both of my majors. I choose to study abroad in Morocco because of my interest in the country and the language spoken in that region. Morocco is located at the Northern tip of Africa and is regarded as a Muslim country with their primary language being Arabic and second language being French. Having an active duty military background in the United States Marine Corps and completing two tours overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan, I knew learning Arabic would be a crucial language to add to my resume to continue to pursue my career within the federal law enforcement, which explains why it would be very beneficial as a criminal justice major. As an international studies major, it is beneficial as studying abroad is one of the requirements, but, more importantly, if I decide to pursue a career within the State Department or the United Nations, it gives me the experience that would be needed.”
Nicole Cocuy
Year and major: senior communication studies major
Location: Granada, Spain
Program: AIFS
What I learned: “I learned through multiple failed attempts to communicate with locals that it’s really hard to learn a new language. However, I learned more Spanish from my daily interactions with my house mom, coffee shop baristas and cashiers than I did in my intensive language courses. People in Granada were generally very patient and respected my attempts to assimilate, helping me fight the urge to revert back to English whenever I felt stuck.”
My favorite part of the study abroad experience: “My favorite parts of my trip were definitely the cultural excursions. From horseback riding in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to a traditional flamenco show in a Sacremonte cave and from weekly competitive soccer games to a weekend tour of Morocco, AIFS definitely kept us busy. Every week, I was able to experience something new and learn more about Spanish culture thanks to these excursions—and I had a blast in the process.”
Nathalie Moreau
Year and major: senior communication studies major and marketing minor
Location: Paris, France
Program: ISA
What I learned: “I learned that you shouldn’t judge people who don’t speak the native language because, believe me, they are trying their hardest to communicate. Getting lost in translation is not a fun experience. We should be empathetic towards people in this situation. After all, we would want the same respect if we were in their shoes.”
My favorite part of the study abroad experience: “My favorite part of the trip was getting lost and meeting new people. The times when I couldn’t find my way were the best because I discovered places I probably would never have found otherwise, like the Giverny Gardens, Fountains de la Concorde, and the pony and honey bee farms at Loure Valley. I meet the most amazing people on my trip that under normal circumstances I probably would have never gotten to know. We all share a bond now that only people who have studied abroad could understand. It was truly an incredible experience.”
Tiffany Smith
Year: junior legal studies major
Program: Geneva Studies
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
What I learned: “I learned a lot about international relations, law, and sustainable Development.”
My favorite part of the study abroad experience: “The opportunity to experience another culture in another country. I also liked how this experience complimented my major by allowing me to understand how law is applied to the global community through various policies and procedures.”
