Office of Global Affairs
http://www.rockford.edu/community/globalaffairs/
The Office of Global Affairs (OGA) helps prepare Rockford University students, faculty and community constituents for active participation in a rapidly changing global society by internationalizing our campus and curriculum, facilitating experiential learning opportunities, and developing our international partnerships to achieve Rockford University's strategic objectives.
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, United Kingdom
• Kobe College, Nishinomiya, Japan (Osaka metro area)
• University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
• Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Short-term study abroad opportunities in:
• Athens, Greece
• Madrid, Spain
• Paris, France
• Rome, Italy
Short-term study/serve abroad opportunities in:
• Ecuador
For more information about the Office of Global Affairs, visit the University website or call OGA at 815-394-5112.
Regent’s University, London, United Kingdom
Study at Regent’s University London in the United Kingdom offers students the opportunity to experience a new culture while completing 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). Students interested in studying at Regent’s University must also complete a Rockford University application, available on the Office of Global Affairs’ website Please note that Rockford University only sends one student per academic term, two students per academic year, to Regents University.
The Regent’s University London Academic Calendar coincides with the U.S. undergraduate semester system, but its academic calendar is slightly different from Rockford University’s academic calendar. Course schedules and course descriptions are available on the Regent’s University website at http://www.regents.ac.uk/study/study-abroad/inbound/.
Kobe College, Nishinomiya, Japan (Osaka metro area)
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, Kobe College provides one full-tuition scholarship each academic year to a nominated Rockford University student to study at Kobe College. In addition, Rockford University also provides one full-tuition scholarship each academic year to a selected 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. Rockford University students who study at Kobe College will take classes taught in English. Students interested in studying at Kobe College must complete an application, available on the Office of Global Affairs’ website. 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 begins in toward the end of September and the fall semester ends toward the end of January. Spring semester begins in April and lasts through the end of July, with a one-week break around the first week in May. Students who study at Kobe College for the fall semester should coordinate with their professors at Kobe College and Rockford University so that they do not have issues with their spring semester classes. Classroom schedules and credits are also different, and Kobe College classes are once a week for 90 minutes and count for one or two credit hours. Rockford University and Kobe College will coordinate so that Rockford University students enroll in the equivalent of a full-time schedule when they study at Kobe College
Kobe College offers the experience a new culture while completing their normal course of study. Rockford University students who attends Kobe College are required to take the following two cultural immersion courses:
CU226 Introductions to Japanese Culture 2 credits
CU227 Current Issues in Japan 2 credits
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 in Spain’s Galicia region. Historic sites and monuments surround the city making it an ideal location for cultural immersion. Students can enjoy the town’s friendly atmosphere and admire medieval architecture and country houses. The university is also close to the ocean, the mountains, and is near Portugal. There is a variety of cultural activities, and it is close to entertainment and shopping areas.
USC is over 500 years hold and offers many of courses of study. Students can take courses in health sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, technical humanities, and technology. The campus covers is over 320 acres and houses hundreds of pristine and historic buildings, as well as five public and private residence halls with single and double rooms.
Students may take courses at USC which are equivalent to those offered at Rockford University. Spanish language courses are offered, and RU students are able to take courses related to their major area of study in Spanish. USC’s fall semester overlaps with the beginning of Rockford University’s spring semester. Students who study at USC in the fall should coordinate with their professors in Santiago and at Rockford University so that they do not have issues with their spring semester classes.
Students interested in studying at USC must complete an application, available on the Office of Global Affairs’ website. Please note that Rockford University only sends one student per academic term, two students per academic year, to the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
Study abroad in the enriching environment that Sweden can provide! Known for its iconic fashion and home design companies, beautiful landscape and education, Sweden is a country that inspires innovation and simplicity.
The University of Skövde is located in Skövde, Sweden, a city of 50,000 people and located about one hour by train from the city of Gothenburg and two hours by train from Stockholm. It 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, place to enjoy 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 cost of living.
With approximately 11,000 students, the University of Skövde has three colleges: the College of Humanities and Informatics (Computer Science), the College of Technology and Society, and the College of Life Sciences. Courses are available in English for exchange students and the university offers about 100 courses taught in English, every year. Exchange students can also enroll in Swedish language and culture courses. Students should plan their course schedule with their Rockford University and Skövde University advisers. It is important that students finalize housing arrangements by Skövde University’s strict deadlines due to the limited availability of housing.
Students interested in studying at the University of Skövde must complete an application, available on the Office of Global Affairs’ website.