Office of international education

Concordia's office of international education provides administrative oversight, resources and guidance to faculty and students regarding international educational opportunities. It also serves as a resource for international students and Concordia's PDSO (the primary designated student official, sometimes also referred to as international advisor or DSO).

International students who have already enrolled at Concordia

The office of international education serves as an on-campus resource to all international students at Concordia. It records student status (F-1) in SEVIS each semester, including any changes (program completion, address, major, etc.).

See also: Are you an international student with an interest in studying at Concordia? Please view the international student admission area of Concordia's website.

Current students seeking study or service experiences abroad

Maybe you want to discover first hand more about a different part of the world. Maybe you want to augment your program of study with an on-site plunge into language and culture. Or maybe you realize that you need to expand your world view beyond your home town. If you are willing to stretch yourself beyond your usual comfort zones and if you are willing to open yourself up to new surroundings, sights, sounds, time zones, experiences, people, places, and learning opportunities, read on.

International travel & trip opportunities

Students are able to experience another country through these types of travel and sightseeing activities.

• Some opportunities may be off-site course offerings where registration in a course for credit is required.
• Other opportunities are available for just the travel and cultural experience.

The OIE serves as a resource to faculty in the administrative and planning process for these opportunities. Our office also provides policies, procedures, resources (applications, recommendations, assumption of risk, risk management check points, etc.) available for these class / tour offerings.

International mission opportunities

Short term opportunities are available where ministry and service to (and with) people in another country is the primary focus.

• These are usually faculty led and/or sponsored by student organizations.
• Past projects have included working with children, youth and adults in Bible school activities, English as a second language instruction, and congregational outreach activities. Activities have also included acts of mercy, ministry of presence, aid to orphans, and tsunami related rebuilding efforts.

The OIE serves as a resource to faculty and student organizations in the permission and planning process. Our office also maintains the “Student Travel Handbook” with guidelines for "Trip Approval – Financial Plan" and other resources for leaders.

Semester study abroad

A student spends a semester in another country, taking a full course of study and immersing themselves in the culture. Student remains enrolled in Concordia, but applies for and participates in an approved off campus program run by another university or program provider.

• Process begins with the director of international education for students to find out about programs available, to pick up application materials, and for guidance through the process.
• A student applying to study abroad must be a student in good standing at Concordia.
• Student visits with their advisor to determine the study abroad choice is a good program fit and what credits will work in their current program of study.
• Students considering studying abroad should plan ahead since a limited number of students are accepted per semester.

The OIE determines programs available to students, works with students regarding options based on their program of study and goals. Our office also provides application materialsm, guidance through the process, and establishes policies, procedures, risk management check points and pre-orientation training.

Summer study abroad

These are usually shorter opportunities for more students to study in a foreign location for one or more classes during the summer.

• Process again begins with the director of international education for students to find out about programs available and for guidance through the process.
• Student visits with their advisor to determine the summer study abroad choice is a good program fit and what credits work in their current program of study.
• Students are typically directly registered with provider and credits are transferred back in so registrar pre-approval is important.

The OIE works with students regarding options based on their program of study and goals, provides guidance and gives the go-ahead along with the student’s advisor, and the registrar.

Interested? Take the next step

Concordia students should contact Julie Johnston Hermann, the director of international education, for more information on any of the international opportunities listed above.