Faq

Cost?
For most Dialogues, the cost of the program (including airfare, accommodations, program fees, educational tours) is summer tuition (8 credits). There may be an additional program fee for some programs depending on length of stay in-country, airline ticket prices, or other extra-ordinary expenses.

Students accepted to a Dialogue will be billed a $200 non-refundable deposit to their Northeastern student account to hold their place in the program. It is NOT a fee; the deposit will go toward the student's tuition cost for the program.

Financial Aid?
You will be registered for two Northeastern undergraduate courses, therefore your regular financial aid package should apply if you are scheduled to be taking classes during the relevant summer session. Please talk with your financial aid officer as you consider these programs.

Safety?
The safety of all participants in Dialogue programs is a top priority. Throughout the stages of each program, government, institutional and individual sources of information are regularly consulted to ensure that programs are safe. Each program is led by an experienced faculty member who has significant experience leading programs and/or living outside of the US. No global travel or training experience can guarantee 100% safety for participants, just as a trip to the corner store is not without risks. In a dynamic global environment, Dialogue programs manage the risks of global living with a commitment to personal and program safety for each and every team member.

Credits?
Each Summer Dialogue is comprised of two courses, 4 SH each (8 total). Please see your academic advisor to see if they will fulfill your major or college requirements.

Participation in one Dialogue (Summer I or Summer II) fulfills the Diversity/Comparative Study of Cultures requirement.

If you are an International Affairs major, your experiential education requirement is fulfilled through participation in TWO Dialogues if they total 4 courses (16 semester hours). In addition, the two courses attached to each Dialogue count as one regional analysis elective and one global dynamics elective toward an IAF major or minor.

How do I register for Dialogue courses?
All Dialogues admit students "by permission of instructor only." Therefore, all students must complete the application process in order to be eligible to participate on the Dialogue and enroll in the respective courses. Students accepted to Dialogues will be automatically registered for the appropriate courses attached to each Dialogue by the Registrar's Office. Students will not need to complete "I Am Here" registration for the semester that they are going on Dialogues.

Accommodations?
You will be staying in hotels, hostels, or university dorms. Some programs incorporate excursions where the students will stay at campsites.

I've heard some Dialogues are very competitive? How do I get accepted? Can I apply to more than one?
Due to the number of programs and the number of students who apply for Dialogues, the application only allows for first and second choice options for each summer session. 12 out of the 25 Dialogues for Summer 2008 are new this year, so it is impossible to predict which are more or less competitive. It is recommended that you choose the programs that interest you most and make contact with the faculty leaders in order to see which program is the best fit for you. If faculty have stated that they give preference based on certain majors or other factors, those details are listed on the program's webpage.

Why Dialogue of Civilizations?
Dialogue of Civilization programs are designed to take advanced participants to the next level in pursuit of their educational and vocational goals. Throughout the programs, participants are challenged to integrate on-site cultural learning with their own personal objectives. Academic participants do more than earn valuable university credits in Dialogue programs. They put themselves ahead of their peers through gaining hands-on experience by conducting cross-cultural research, program planning and implementation in a global setting, and in gaining contacts for future academic opportunities. For professional participants, Dialogue programs broaden the scope of reference for how work is done, provide valuable networking opportunities and highlight areas and skills that are necessary to succeed in global living and working. At the heart of Dialogues is the interaction of personal and professional goals of participants with the dynamic realities of a global setting.

What if I am not sure if I can participate on a Dialogue?
You really should decide before you apply if the program is right for you. It takes a great deal of time and coordination on the part of NU staff and the faculty leaders as well as our contacts abroad to make these programs successful and to place several hundred NU students into these programs. It is your responsibility to decide whether the Dialogues are a good fit for you BEFORE YOU APPLY. Check with anyone you need to (advisors, financial aid, parents/guardians, etc.) in order to make sure the program works for you. If you do not feel that you will be able to commit to participating in a Dialogue by the application deadline, it is strongly recommended that you wait until another year to apply. Students are responsible for the $200 deposit as well as any non-recoverable costs if they withdraw after being accepted.

How should I behave when I am abroad? What cultural differences should I be aware of?
Excellent questions! When you are participating on a Dialogue of Civilizations program, you are representing not only yourself, but also Northeastern University and the United States. Please be conscious of how your behavior affects the people around you. Also, educate yourself on appropriate language, gestures, and customs of the host country. Actions that are acceptable in the United States might be very offensive in other societies. Furthermore, avoid participating in risky activities. This is for your own personal safety as well as the safety of the group. To find out more about how to avoid acting like an "ugly American" while abroad, check out The World Citizen's Guide.

More Questions?
Please email Cynthia Rapp at c.rapp@neu.edu for more information.