Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
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  1. NAU
  2. CEFNS
  3. International opportunities

International opportunities

Gain a global perspective

NAU students in the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences have a wide range of opportunities to gain a global perspective. You can go on a faculty-led trip abroad and take a single course, study at a university in another country for an entire semester, or complete dual degrees—your CEFNS major and a language or cultural degree—while studying and doing research abroad for a full year through our Interdisciplinary Global Programs.

Choose your path

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Exchange programs

Exchange programs allow you to study abroad at a different university for a semester or full year. Many universities offer courses for your major in English, allowing you to make progress on your degree while exploring a new country. There are also many universities that offer courses in different languages, allowing you to use this semester or year abroad to perfect your language skills. The cost is regular NAU tuition—most financial aid will cover exchange programs, and the credits you receive for the courses you take abroad are transferred directly back to NAU.
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Faculty-led courses

CEFNS faculty lead many programs every year for students who are interested in fieldwork, lab or field measurements, classroom learning, or interacting with other scientists in a foreign country. These courses are typically 1–4 weeks and take place during spring, summer, and winter breaks. Many forms of financial aid can be applied to these programs and the courses carry academic credit that counts toward your degree. These courses vary from year to year.
Study abroad students playing a language learning game.

Interdisciplinary Global Programs

This interdisciplinary five-year program lets you combine any CEFNS degree with a second degree in Modern Languages (Spanish, French, or German) or Comparative Cultural Studies (Japanese, Chinese, or Italian). In this program, you will:

  • study the language of your intended country every semester as you prepare for your fourth year, which you’ll spend abroad
  • take courses in science, culture, and language while studying abroad for a semester
  • spend a second semester doing scientific research in your new language while abroad
  • consolidate your learning in both degrees during your fifth year and graduate with two degrees and the ability to work cross-culturally
Student taking notes for an outdoor project on paper.

International research programs

CEFNS faculty work in research sites around the world, from the tropics to the poles. When studying the Earth, it is important to consider a variety of systems. Climate researchers see many changes occurring in the polar regions as well as high in the mountains; geologists study volcanism, earthquakes, and crustal deformation on every continent; ecologists observe every climatic condition. Travel is essential for complete understanding. In addition, travel is also a significant part of collaboration among scientists. There are often opportunities for students to participate in international studies like these assisting professors with their research. After you begin your coursework in a department, start meeting professors and exploring research opportunities.

Genevieve Conley, Dual Environmental Sustainability and Spanish Majors (Interdisciplinary Global Programs), CEFNS Outstanding Graduate, Gold Axe and President’s Award Winner

Spent one year in Tucumán and Bariloche, Argentina

“My experience in Argentina really challenged and changed me for the better. Not only did I fall in love with the food and music, but the friends I made will stay with me for the rest of my life. The year I spent abroad made me a more resilient person, changed how I interact with others, and helped solidify my career aspirations. This was an unforgettable adventure and I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

 

Mia Pique, Dual Geology and Spanish Majors (Interdisciplinary Global Programs), Gold Axe and President’s Award Winner

Spent one year in Tucumán, Argentina and Quito, Ecuador

“My year abroad transcended far beyond the traditional sense of an academic experience, with studying abroad in Tucumán, Argentina and then interning in Quito, Ecuador. Every person I met has taught me a new world view and because of them, I am a wiser world citizen and a more confident me. It is true what people say, the places you see are amazing, but it is the people that you meet that make the true difference. From living in the Andes, backpacking Patagonia for a couple of weeks, boating to Uruguay, standing on the Equator, studying an active volcano in the Amazon jungle and hiking it, seeing rainbow mountains, Machu Picchu, and even crossing into Brasil by bus on a whim…I would have never imagined all that I have learned through these crazy adventures, but more importantly through the people I have met.

I have learned how to make mistakes successfully. I have learned how to be more brave in asking questions when I have no idea what is going on, yet I have become confident in trying my best to figure challenges out first. I would say I have become a more confident, wiser, and more-willing-to-mess-up-in-order-to-learn-scientist.  My gratitude could never truly be expressed by words.”

More study abroad options

Explore the full collection of NAU’s international and exchange opportunities at Education Abroad.