Study Abroad
All students are encouraged to study abroad for a semester or a summer session. NU recognizes the value of diverse cultural and academic experiences and continues to expand the program offerings abroad. Students should begin to work with their academic advisor as early as their freshman year to plan their international experience. It is important to meet with the Office of International Relations at least one semester prior to departure.
NU encourages all students going abroad to continue matriculation at Niagara. After meeting with the Office of International Relations, the dean must approve the student’s choice of program and course work. Ordinarily, approval will be given for one semester abroad. Selection of eligible students will be based on evaluation of the student, who must be in good academic standing, making satisfactory academic progress, and usually of at least junior-year standing.
Financial Aid/Study-Abroad Statement of Policy
- Students must apply for financial aid by completing the appropriate financial aid application forms in a timely fashion. Most visa approvals require verification of ability to pay tuition, room and board, and expenses while abroad.
- There are two types of study-abroad programs with which financial aid may be concerned:
- Niagara University-affiliated programs for which NU credit is given. Students enrolled in a Niagara University-affiliated program may be eligible for institutional, federal, and New York state aid.
- Other programs, which are approved for transfer credit. Students enrolled in these programs are not eligible for institutional aid, but may be eligible for federal and New York state aid.
- Students who receive Niagara University scholarships, grants or tuition remissions will have their institutional aid eligibility limited to the difference between Niagara University charges and the direct cash payment by Niagara University to the study-abroad program.
- Students who are recipients of Niagara University athletic scholarships must first obtain approval from the athletic director to avoid conflicts between athletic scholarship obligations and the semester abroad.
Study Abroad Refund Policy
The International Relations Office at Niagara University may cancel any NU sponsored program in a location where the U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning or where the office finds the location to be unsafe. The International Relations Office will review the information issued by the State Department as well as announcements from the Overseas Advisory Council (OSAC), contacts on site, consultation with the study abroad trip leader(s), and discussions with the Embassies in country in order to evaluate the conditions where students are or will be studying.
Should a program cancellation become necessary for safety reasons prior to departure, every effort will be made to refund recoverable costs to participants. The time of program cancellation will determine the actual recoverable costs. The closer to the program start date, the less recoverable costs will be available. For example, three months before a program starts, funds have usually already been paid to many hotels for deposits on housing. These deposits would be considered non-recoverable. Students who choose to separate from the group flight itinerary in either direction are responsible for the cancellation and change policies of the alternate carriers they use and are responsible for the non-recoverable costs of the program.
Should a program cancellation become necessary for safety reasons after students have arrived overseas, our refund policy is that every effort will be made to refund recoverable costs to the participants. Additionally, the faculty director will, to the best of his/her ability, assist the students in completing the course work for the program.
Because full refunds are often not possible, students may wish to consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance which can be obtained through many travel agents or insurance companies. (Students may purchase insurance for health reasons, natural disasters and extreme weather.)
NU - Affiliated Programs
American Institute for Foreign Studies (AIFS)
Study abroad for a semester with the American Institute for Foreign Studies (AIFS). AIFS is an exciting and educational experience you will remember all your life. AIFS has programs in Asia, Australia, Europe, South America and South Africa. You can study French, art history and fashion in Paris, take Italian, studio art and literature at Richmond in Florence or study Spanish language and culture at the University of Salamanca in Spain. You can even take an internship at a world-class company in London or work at a community placement in South Africa in our Service Learning program.
Asia - Summer/Semester
Niagara University has partnerships with several universities throughout Asia. Students may study in China, Japan, Vietnam, or South Korea. For more information on individual exchange programs, visit www.niagara.edu/study-abroad-programs.
Brisbane, Australia
University of the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast, one of the most beautiful regions in Australia, has world-class surfing beaches, national parks and a subtropical climate suited to an outdoor lifestyle. The University of the Sunshine Coast is approximately 10 minutes from the beach and one hour from Queensland’s capital, Brisbane. You can immerse yourself in Australian lifestyle and culture while you earn full credit toward your degree. Areas of study include journalism, public relations, international business, tourism, marketing and education.
Center for International Studies
CISAbroad
Niagara is a partner of the Center for International Studies. CISabroad offers students a choice of 70 programs in 24 countries around the world for a semester, summer, January, or full academic year. Internships are also available. Possibilities include Australia, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Ghana, Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Scotland, South Africa, Spain and Thailand.
College Consortium for International Studies
CCIS
CCIS is a partnership of colleges and universities that encompasses the broad spectrum of international education. Students may choose from more than 80 study-abroad programs in 30 countries around the world: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Spain and Switzerland. CCIS is an NU-affiliated program.
Discover the World: Europe
Students can participate in a European educational service adventure in either the spring or the fall. All participants study in Rome, Italy, Paris, France and Limerick, Ireland. A variety of courses are offered in each country. Students also have the option of spending an entire semester at the Rome campus. Students are housed at various sites and facilities and receive two daily meals for four to five days per week. Several cultural excursions are planned to allow students to explore each city and country. This program offers the opportunity to carry out the Vincentian mission as they learn by providing service to the poor while studying abroad.
St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, London, England - Summer/Semester
St. Mary’s is a small university that is big on support. A beautiful, safe, self-contained campus with a great social life and community atmosphere. Established in 1850 they have a reputation for academic excellence. Areas of research are “world leading in terms of originality, significance and rigor.” With just under 4,000 students studying here it is easy to make friends and feel at home.
European Tour - Spring/Summer
“Justice in the UK” is a two week faculty-led course designed to introduce students to criminal justice related issues in the United Kingdom (specifically England, Scotland, and Wales). Various topics will be explored to ensure that students can actively participate in the lectures and tours as they travel throughout the three countries. This course will focus on law enforcement, courts, corrections, drugs and crime, international crime, human trafficking, and international justice.
Lille, France - Summer/Semester
Universite Catholique De Lille
https://www.univ-catholille.fr/etudiant-international
The Catholic University of Lille offers a cosmopolitan setting with 10,000 students, five university faculties, 35 schools and institutes, 40 research centers and laboratories and over 30 agreements with foreign universities representing the most diversified private university in France.
Bad Honnef, Germany
Dual degree program with International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef (IUBH) through the College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management.
Earn two degrees in four years - one from Niagara University and one from our partner university in Bad Honnef, Germany. Satisfactory completion abroad of all course requirements and a thesis earns you two degrees.
Students live in newly build apartment-style housing on campus in Bad Honnef, Germany, located outside of Bonn in the picturesque Rhine River valley. All instruction is in English and no German language ability is required. Students will, however, complete a full year of German language study while abroad. IUBH is a partner school of Niagara University, and like us, is part of the Hotel Schools of Distinction, which Niagara helped start. Their program, like ours, is applications-oriented with seamless relationship with industry. They work with the best companies in Europe in the hospitality and tourism industry.
Global Learning Semesters
Global Learning Semesters operates transformative semester and summer study abroad programs for college students that blend accredited academic coursework with extensive co-curricular travel. Programs include both multi-destination travel and single country options. They offer over 60 study abroad programs, hosted at 10 foreign universities - University of Nicosia, University of Paris IV (Sorbonne), Catholic University of Paris, Parsons Paris School of Art & Design, American Business School Paris, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, University of Alcala, London Metropolitan University, University of Belgrano, Galen University, Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Fudan University and Peking University.
Mary Immaculate College - Limerick, Ireland
Mary Immaculate College, founded in 1898, is an autonomous university-level college of education and the liberal arts, academically linked with the University of Limerick. The city campus, which is easily accessible, now has a student population of almost 3,500 enrolled in undergraduate programs for BE.d. and B.A. degrees, and in a range of postgraduate programs at diploma, M.A. and Ph.D. level. Mary Immaculate College welcomes international students from all over the world. The college also has partnership programs with many U.S. universities and enjoys the annual exchange of staff and students from institutions all over the world.
Lake Como, Italy - Summer
The College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management has developed a unique, full-time, 10-week work abroad program in Lake Como, Italy, one of the most scenic areas in the world. Lake Como is one of the picturesque Italian lakes located in northern Italy with Switzerland a few miles away. Students work at one of our luxury hotel partners. One of the participating properties is the 10-acre Villa d’Este, a grand hotel located in Cernobbio on Lake Como. The Villa d’Este is a Leading Hotel of the World and has been ranked as the number one hotel in the world.
Padua, Italy
University of Padua
The College of Business Administration has developed a business student exchange program with the University of Padua. Courses in Italy are taught in English. If a student is fluent in the Italian language they can take a wider selection of courses. Our students can also take courses in the Italian Studies Program at Niagara in preparation for the student exchange. The University of Padua is among the oldest universities in Europe, and the business program is a heralded program in Italy. The city of Padua is a short distance from Venice.
Reggio-Emiolia, Italy
Another faculty-led opportunity for education majors. This program is a sustainable, short-term study abroad excursion to Italy. It occurs across two weeks during the spring recess in March. Educational focus will be around early childhood philosophy and practice focusing on the Montesorri and Reggio-Emilia approaches founded in Italy. Reggio Emilia is an affluent city in northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region. The city provides accessible transport to the rest of the peninsula. This is a chance to see student learning theories in practice in another culture, and continue service and scholarship on inclusive special education.
Lima and Cusco, Peru
Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola USIL
The College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management has developed a unique 11-week summer cultural immersion program in Lima and Cusco, Peru, the gateway city to Machu Picchu. Students take classes, complete community service projects, work in multiple hotel properties and participate in several exciting excursions.
Alicante, Spain - Summer/Semester
Center for Cross-Cultural Studies
La Universidad de Alicante is located in the historical and beautiful harbor city of Alicante on the Costa Blanca. The picturesque setting on the Mediterranean Sea is a great place for students to study and immerse themselves in the Spanish culture. Semester, academic year and summer programs are available.
Barcelona, Spain
Center for Cross-Cultural Studies
In addition to Alicante and Seville, Niagara is pleased to offer a new location in Spain for semester, academic year, and summer study. Barcelona is Spain's second largest city and embodies every quality of a European city while sitting picturesquely alongside the Mediterranean Sea. La Universitat Pompeu Fabra is centrally located in the heart of Barcelona.
Seville, Spain - Summer/Semester
Center for Cross-Cultural Studies
Through the Center for Cross-Cultural Studies, Niagara University provides students with a vibrant cultural experience in the historical city of Seville. In our semester, academic year, January term and summer sessions, we offer programs of academic excellence, all grounded in the cultural richness of Seville and of Spain.
Non-NU Programs
NU students may also study in other countries through non-NU affiliated programs, which are approved for transfer credit. Information is available from the study-abroad advisor.