Office of Global Affairs

http://www.rockford.edu/community/globalaffairs/

The Office of Global Affairs was established to integrate our international programs with new initiatives to achieve the University’s mission and OGA’s vision of making Rockford University a window to the world. Its mission is to create a supportive and interactive learning environment that celebrates multiculturalism by bringing all of Rockford University’s diverse student body together to create an environment where international and American perspectives are shared and celebrated.

Global Affairs provides international student support services, study broad guidance and support, international service learning opportunities, and support for faculty-led, short-term study abroad programs.

Highlights include:

• Semester-long study abroad opportunities at:
• Regent’s University, London, England
• Kobe College Learning Abroad Scholarship Exchange Opportunity
• University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
• Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
• Short-term study abroad opportunities in:
• Madrid, Spain
• Paris, France
• Rome, Italy
• Santiago, Chile

For more information about the Office of Global Affairs, visit the University website or call OGA at 815-394-5112.

Regent’s College, London, England

Study at Regent’s University London in England offers students a unique international focus to their normal course of study. Students who wish to study at Regent’s University London must submit an application, which is available at the Office of Global Affairs (OGA).

The Regent’s University London Academic Calendar is designed to coincide with the U.S. undergraduate semester system, but contains slightly different beginning, mid-term break and ending dates than Rockford University. Course schedules and course descriptions are available on the Regent’s University website at http://www.regents.ac.uk/study/study-abroad/inbound/.

Rockford University Study Abroad Program at Kobe College – Nishinomiya, Japan

Rockford University and Kobe College have a long history as “sister colleges”. Two female graduates of Rockford Female Seminary helped to found Kobe College in 1895.

Due to the rich and longstanding relationship of Kobe College and Rockford University, in addition to the betterment and cultural enrichment of our institutions, Kobe College provides one full-tuition scholarship each academic year to a meritorious Rockford University student to study at Kobe College. In addition, Rockford University also provides one full-tuition scholarship each academic year to a meritorious Kobe College student in any field of study at Rockford University.

Prior knowledge of the Japanese language is not required to attend Kobe College, however, it is recommended that students have some basic knowledge of Japanese. Students interested in studying at Kobe College must complete an application, available at the Office of Global Affairs. An applicant whose minimum GPA is 2.5 or higher may attend Kobe College for 1 or 2 semesters. Selection is competitive and is based on a combination of academic achievement, academic plan, letters of recommendation, and demonstrated drive to succeed in a study abroad program. Kobe College is a women’s institution, and only female students will be accepted.

The Kobe College Academic Calendar is designed according to the Japanese system, which is different from the one practiced in the U.S. In Japan, the beginning of the academic year is in April and lasts through the end of July, with a one-week break around the first week in May. After a 2 month summer break ending toward the end of September, the fall semester begins and ends toward the end of January, with a 2 week break around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. As such, students should plan accordingly with Rockford University and Kobe College and their respective professors for missed classes or examinations. The class and credential system are also different, with classes held once a week for 90 minutes and accounting for 1 or 2 credits, but this does not affect the ability to transfer class credit.

The Rockford University exchange program at Kobe College offers students a unique international focus on their normal course of study. Every Rockford University student who attends Kobe College is required to take classes which continue the orientation process and provides for immersion into the culture in a structured academic format. These classes are the following:

Rockford University Exchange with Universidade de Santiago de Compostela - Santiago de Compostela, Spain

The Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC) is a public university located in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain. With roots in education going back 500 years, the university has blossomed into an institution offering a wide variety of courses of study in Health Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Technical applications, and Humanities. The campus covers a staggering 320 acres and is ranked as one of the most prestigious universities in Spain. The beautiful campus houses hundreds of pristine and historic buildings, as well as 5 public and private residence halls available to students, staff, and affiliates of the University, all containing their own legal system and single and double rooms.

The University’s location is in the northeastern part of the country, and is convenient for sight-seeing as the city is surrounded by historic religious buildings and monuments, not to mention close to the ocean, mountains, and Portugal, as well as the rest of Europe for travelling. This region is especially important for its scenery and traditions. For its location in the city, the University generates a continuous wave of cultural activity and is convenient for external entertainment and shopping resources. Walking around the city, students can enjoy the friendly atmosphere that the townspeople generate, as well as admire medieval architecture and country houses.

For exchange programs, students may take courses at USC which are equivalent to those offered at Rockford University and USC considers these students to be “visiting students.” Though the University offers courses in Spanish language, RU students should be fairly confident in their Spanish abilities. Students interested in an exchange program through the Universidade Santiago de Compostela should apply through the Office of Global Affairs.

Please note that USC’S fall semester overlaps with the beginning of Rockford University’s spring semester. Students who wish to study at USC during the fall semester need to receive permission from their spring course instructors and final approval from the Office of Academic Affairs to start their spring semester late.

Rockford University Exchange with University of Skövde – Skövde, Sweden

Study abroad in the enriching environment that Sweden can provide! Known for its iconic fashion and home design companies, generous welfare system, beautiful landscape and noted educational systems, Sweden is a country that inspires innovation and simplicity.

The University of Skövde is located in Skövde, Sweden, a city of about 50,000 in population and located about one hour by train from the city of Gothenburg and two hours by train from Stockholm, and is nestled between two large lakes in Sweden. The University’s location provides students with a convenient social atmosphere, as there are resources for entertainment, nature, restaurants and shopping within close reach of the University. With a beautiful parkland campus, the University of Skövde has many achievements. Ranked among the top universities in Sweden and 2nd in the nation for ‘overall learning,’ Skövde is dedicated to producing successful students. The University is also rated number one in performance feedback, IT-support, and living cost.

With approximately 11,000 students, The University of Skövde has three schools: the School of Humanities and Informatics, the School of Technology and Society, and the School of Life Sciences. Courses are available in English for exchange students pursuing Master’s degrees. The University also offers about 100 single courses taught in English, and offers Swedish language courses for exchange students, as well as Swedish society and culture orientation courses.

Students should take care to plan their course schedule with Skövde with their advisers at Rockford University, and should strongly secure housing accommodations before arriving in Skövde, as the University has very limited accommodations and the application process is quite strict on deadlines. There are also alternative accommodations within 15 minutes of the University.

Students interested in an exchange program with the University of Skövde should apply through the Office of Global Affairs.