Four students in PNW Nursing shirts stand at the edge of a boat

Study Away

Explore new cultures, develop real-world skills and build unforgettable memories with Purdue Northwest study-away programs!

From spring break experiences to semester-long trips, our flexible offerings fit your needs as you work toward a PNW degree.

Students on a study away trip stand in a river in helmets and life jackets

Study Away is Waiting for You!

All students are encouraged to complete our initial Study Away Interest Form and get connected with a Study Away Advisor. Simply answer a couple of quick survey questions, and a member of the Study Away team will follow up to help you learn more about Study Away programs and planning for your very own Study Away experience.

Fill out the interest form

Questions? Contact studyaway@pnw.edu.

Upcoming Programs

Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain.

HTM Spring Break in Spain

March 14 to 21

Through a combination of academic, cultural and industry-focused activities, participants will gain a global perspective on hospitality and tourism while exploring one of Europe’s leading travel destinations: Barcelona, Spain.

HTM Barcelona Program Information

Statue of the national hero Juan Santamaria in Alajuela - Costa Rica, Central America

Interdisciplinary Global Mental Health – CHESS Costa Rica Experience

March 14 to 20

Students develop knowledge and soft skills for working with international patients, medical professionals, mental health professionals, immigrants, refugees and culturally diverse populations facing psychosocial concerns.

Global Mental Health Program Information

The Colorful Coast in Old San Juan Puerto Rico.

Honors College Discovery of Puerto Rico - From Cultural Heritage to Sustainable Futures

March 14 to 20

This one-week sustainability program in Puerto Rico offers Honors College students an immersive, interdisciplinary experience connecting classroom learning with real-world environmental and community challenges

Honors College Puerto Rico Program Information

Five nursing students pose together during a study away trip.

Costa Rica Immersive Nursing Program

March 14 to 20

PNW’s faculty-led College of Nursing study-away trip in Costa Rica will give you firsthand experience in another culture and broaden your understanding of people and healthcare in that context and in the U.S.

Costa Rica Nursing Program Information

Upcoming Programs

Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain.

HTM Spring Break in Spain

March 14 to 21

Through a combination of academic, cultural and industry-focused activities, participants will gain a global perspective on hospitality and tourism while exploring one of Europe’s leading travel destinations: Barcelona, Spain.

HTM Barcelona Program Information

Statue of the national hero Juan Santamaria in Alajuela - Costa Rica, Central America

Interdisciplinary Global Mental Health – CHESS Costa Rica Experience

March 14 to 20

Students develop knowledge and soft skills for working with international patients, medical professionals, mental health professionals, immigrants, refugees and culturally diverse populations facing psychosocial concerns.

Global Mental Health Program Information

The Colorful Coast in Old San Juan Puerto Rico.

Honors College Discovery of Puerto Rico - From Cultural Heritage to Sustainable Futures

March 14 to 20

This one-week sustainability program in Puerto Rico offers Honors College students an immersive, interdisciplinary experience connecting classroom learning with real-world environmental and community challenges

Honors College Puerto Rico Program Information

Five nursing students pose together during a study away trip.

Costa Rica Immersive Nursing Program

March 14 to 20

PNW’s faculty-led College of Nursing study-away trip in Costa Rica will give you firsthand experience in another culture and broaden your understanding of people and healthcare in that context and in the U.S.

Costa Rica Nursing Program Information


Explore Previous Trips


Why Study Away?

In addition to being an incredible, transformative experience, a study-away program can bring a host of academic, professional and personal benefits!

  • Add a global dimension to your academics, career and life.
  • Travel to new places and gain memories to last a lifetime.
  • Build independence and teamwork skills across cultures.
  • Develop experience to help you succeed in a global environment.

If you are interested in studying away or have questions, please email studyaway@pnw.edu.

  • Add a unique, comparative lens to your discipline.
  • Help understand concepts through experiential learning.
  • Build your network through engaging work alongside PNW faculty, peers and international experts.
  • Use your international experience be a jumping-off point for research, internships and/or service learning opportunities.
  • Develop skills such as: flexibility, adaptability, comfort with ambiguity, communication, curiosity, empathy and intercultural competence.
  • Set yourself apart: fewer than 10% of American undergraduates study abroad/
  • 68% of study abroad alumni reported that it contributed to a job offer or promotion (IIE, 2017).
  • Gain a sense of independence.
  • Increase self-confidence.
  • Develop leadership and teamwork skills.
  • Travel and see new places.
  • Engage with those who are different from you and build an appreciation for diversity.
Ava Lowe testimonial photo

I was able to meet amazing people, some of them becoming lifelong friends and connect with a superb faculty at Universidad de Extremadura who helped coordinate our trip along with Herlinda Ramírez-Barradas. PNW's study away trip to Spain definitely has a special place in my heart.

Ava Lowe, ’25, CHESS

Savannah Benitez testimonial photo

Benefits [of study away] definitely include connecting with your peers that you’ve never talked to before. I’ve made lifelong friends by studying abroad and it was awesome to spend time with them.

Savannah Benitez, ’25, Marketing

PNW student, Cassie Vickers, stands in a hallway in France

PNW's Study Away Program is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and every student should consider one before graduation. I was able to visit several cultural monuments and meet so many amazing people during my time away.

Cassie Vickers, ’25, Human Resources and Business Information and Analytics

I got the chance of a lifetime to study abroad and learn about the fascinating city of London. I saw beautiful architecture from the massive museums to the manicured lawns of Strawberry Hill. Every inch of London is enriched with a narrative of the past, enabling me to develop different perspectives on how spaces can be used and their sense of community.

Isabella Gozo, ’24, Nursing

Maddie Clarkson

For anybody thinking about studying abroad, just do it. PNW has so many resources that can help you.

A PNW student studying abroad

Having the opportunity to study [abroad] and work in Spain… The experience provided me with a great opportunity to ‘try out’ living and working abroad before I fully committed to a career in international journalism.

Study Away Events

Nov 17

College of Nursing – International Studies Showcase

Explore global perspectives in nursing education, healthcare and international opportunities at PNW.

Nov 17

Fulbright Scholars and Specialist Panel

Hear from Fulbright Scholars and Specialists about their global experiences and opportunities.

Nov 18

Witness the World on Wednesday

A global storytelling and cultural exploration session featuring international experiences at PNW.

Nov 19

Fulbright Program Workshop – Study Away Scholarship Opportunity!

We are pleased to invite you to attend our upcoming PNW Fulbright Information Session (Online), hosted by the Fulbright Program.

Important Resources

PNW students standing in front of a door with architecture.

Choosing a Program

With program options around the globe, how do you choose the right one? Our resources will start you on your path to studying abroad!

PNW students standing in front of a structure in Mexico.

Funding

Studying abroad can be affordable with scholarships, financial aid and other resources!

PNW students eating dinner with one another while in Morocco.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions about study abroad from the Office of International Programs and Partnerships (OIPP).

PNW students on a hanging bridge in Nepal for Study Away program.

About Us

From choosing a program to exploring funding resources, we are here to assist you with all aspects of study abroad: before, during and after your experience.