Help Send World Languages and Cultures Students Abroad!

The Department of World Languages and Cultures is raising funds this month to provide study abroad scholarships for students with financial need who dream of immersing themselves in the languages and cultures of Austria, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, and more. 

Study abroad isn’t just a trip—it’s a life-changing educational experience. It deepens language fluency, broadens cultural understanding, and builds global citizens ready to lead in a connected world. But for many students, financial barriers stand in the way. With your support, we can ensure that passion, not privilege, determines who gets to go. Every dollar goes directly to scholarships that make global learning possible. 

Below is an excerpt from one of our students, Khalil Barahaoua, about his semester-long study abroad experience in Merida, Mexico:  

This experience was life changing and I’m so grateful for the preparation I had at NIU, the support of the department and my professors during the application process, and the donors who granted me scholarships to make this trip possible. I want to say to any faculty or student reading this that a study abroad experience should be an essential part of the education of language students. It should continue to be supported by the department, and students should participate no matter the cost because of the uniqueness of the experience. My program cost was just under 16k and through scholarships and financial aid I was lucky enough to just pay 4k plus another 2k that I used as spending money while abroad (this could be much lower I just did a lot of stuff). Whatever the cost, it was the best thing I could spend my money on. 

Give today—help our students bring the world closer.