The Off-Campus Study office within the Compass Center for Career & Calling coordinates the study away opportunities for NWC students. This includes all semester-based programs – both domestic and abroad – as well as our short-term summer study abroad programs. All of these programs give students an opportunity to learn in a new setting and experience a different culture from what they will find on campus.

Northwestern College operates two semester abroad programs, one in the Middle Eastern state of Oman the other in the Eastern European country of Romania.  We also operate a domestic program in Denver which allows students to complete student teaching, social work practicums, or internships in their areas of interest.

Northwestern also offers Summer Study Abroad programs in countries all over the world. These trips are led by our own faculty, with the help of partners on the ground on location. A few of the many places student have been include Greece (honors program), London, Italy, the Czech Republic, and many more. 

Stop by the Compass Center for Career & Calling or make an appointment in Handshake to learn more!

Kendall Stanislav                                           Caylan De Lucia
Director of Experiential Education                    Administrative & Communications Coordinator
Ramaker Center Office 110                              Ramaker Center Office 108
kendall.stanislav@nwciowa.edu                       caylan.delucia@nwciowa.edu 

Northwestern's Program

Romania Semester

 

Partner Programs

Spanish Language Partner Programs

Semester in Spain - Sevilla, Spain

Ecuador - Quito, Ecuador

Costa Rica - Desamparados, Costa Rica

Honduras - Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Latin America (Social Work) - Cuernavaca, Mexico

Argentina - Buenos Aires, Argentina

 

Domestic Partner Programs

Au Sable Institute - Mancelona, MI

LA Film Studies Center - Los Angeles, CA

Contemporary Music Center - Nashville, TN

Living and Learning East Coast - Washington D.C. | Philadelphia | New York City | Baltimore

Henry Semester - Washington, D.C.

 

International Partner Programs

Scholarship & Christianity in Oxford - Oxford, England (Honors Students)

Uganda Studies Program - Mukono, Uganda

Creation Care Study Program - Kaikoura, New Zealand

VIAA Exchange - Zwolle, Netherlands

Rome Semester - Rome, Italy

Ecuador Semester - Quito, Ecuador

Semester in Britain - Liverpool, England

Semester in France - Grenoble, France

Irish Studies Program - Belfast, Northern Ireland

Florence University of Arts - Florence, Italy

Lithuania Christian College - Klaipėda, Lithuania

Jerusalem University College - Jerusalem, Israel

London Semester - London, England

Each summer, Northwestern College professors lead 2-3 week courses in a variety of disciplines and countries. The trips are tailor-made for NWC students and fulfill the college's cross-cultural general requirement. Summer Study Abroad (SSA) timelines vary, but most take place in late May/ early June. 

The selection of destinations and course topics change each year. Northwestern professors have taught summer courses focused on community development, crossing cultures, ecology, history, language learning, music, nursing/ healthcare, religion, sociology, sports/ fitness and theatre. Locations we have been to in the past include: China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Oman, Romania, Russia, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand and Turkey.

By participating in an SSA trip you earn your general education cross-cultural requirement. Some programs have pre-trip coursework to prepare for what you'll be experiencing when you are out of the country.

These trips are open to freshmen through seniors. 

There will be a $250 deposit expected to hold your place in the program after acceptance. The total balance for the trip will be due May 1.

 

Summer 2025

Italy Summer Study Abroad

This course will explore the ancient practice of pilgrimage by following in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi as he made his way from Assisi to Rome. Experience Italian culture as we spend extra time in Assisi and travel through small villages and the Italian countryside on our way to Rome. Experience the spiritual disciplines of pilgrimage, prayer, and worship as we spend time in monasteries and church communities.  Learn about the Franciscan way of life as we learn about the life of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, and the impact they had on Roman Catholicism. 

This trip serves both as a cross cultural experience and an opportunity to immerse the group in the ancient practices of the Christian faith. For Roman Catholic students it is an opportunity to learn more about their tradition, and for Protestant students it’s a cross cultural experience both in culture and religion.

Jason Lief will be leading this trip. Feel free to reach out to him with questions about the trip!

 

Application Materials

Students applying for Off-Campus Programs must submit the following materials as part of their application packet:
1. Off-Campus Studies Program online application form (link below)
2. Reference letter requests will be sent to email addresses provided for each of the following areas: academic, personal, and job-related 
3. Your unofficial transcript will automatically be provided to the Off-Campus Studies staff upon application submission
4. Insurance card information
5. Scan of valid passport (for those intending to study internationally)
 
Denver Urban Semester & Chicago Semester
6. Resume outlining your education, relevant coursework,  experience, honors and awards (please work the Franken Fellows in the Compass Center for Career & Calling for a well put together resume)
 

Application Deadlines

Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 Applications due: February 10, 2024
Summer 2024 Applications due: February 1, 2024
 
 

The Compass Center works with each student and the Director of Financial Aid to help the student understand the financial commitment associated with studying off-campus. Financial Aid is available for students who study off-campus and varies for each program. NWC programs allow you to take 100 of your financial aid with you, while others allow 50% of your Institutional Aid to be used towards your off-campus experience. Please refer to the table below for a quick overview and contact the Compass Center or Financial Aid for more information about your specific situation.

 

  Institutional Aid Activity Scholarships
(Music, Sports, Theatre)
Romania Semester 100%

Out of Season: 100%

In Season: 50%

Required Semester Abroad
(Spanish or International Business majors)
100%

Out of Season: 100%

In Season: 50%

Partner Programs 50%

Out of Season: 50%

In Season: 0%