Study Abroad Proposal - Northwood University Forms

General Information

Faculty Leader Name:(Required)

First Last

Department:(Required)

Email:(Required)

Proposed Destination(s):(Required)

City, Country

Phone(Required)

Country Phone Number

Estimated Travel Dates:(Required)

Will you have a Co-Faculty Leader?(Required)

Yes

Faculty Leader Name:(Required)

First Last

Department:(Required)

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Country Phone Number

Academic Coursework

Academic Compliance Policy: Each 3-credit course requires a minimum of 45 contact hours and must be a minimum of 6 weeks long. Your course must be composed of a blend of in-person and online contact hours to meet this minimum. Example: If the study abroad travel portion is 2 weeks in length, you must plan for 4 weeks of online coursework. Note: There will be two mandatory 1-hour pre-departure orientations hosted jointly by the Faculty Leader and the Experiential Learning Academic Specialist to cover trip logistics, behavioral/coursework expectations, safety precautions, cultural differences, and packing suggestions.

Course Title & Course Number:(Required)

Is this an existing course or a new special topics course?

Number of Credits:(Required)

Academic Rationale:(Required)

Explain why this specific destination is essential to the academic goals of the course and how the location will be used as an “active classroom”?

Contact Hour Plan:(Required)

Detail how you will meet the University’s required 45 contact hours, include pre departure lectures, on-site academic activities, and post-trip assessments.

Learning Outcomes:(Required)

List 4 key outcomes the students will be able to do or understand as a result of this program.

Program Logistics

Target Student Audience:(Required)

Is this open to all majors, or restricted to a specific year?

Proposed Itinerary:(Required)

Please provide a rough day-by-day outline of the trip, noting primary locations and major planned excursions.

On-Site Logistics Partner:(Required)

Do you have or plan on using any host universities for lodging or activities.

Health & Safety Considerations:(Required)

Are there specific physical demands, unique local safety protocols, or vaccination requirements for this destination?

Preliminary Budget Framework

Financial & Leadership Staffing Policy: All faculty leader, co-leader, and chaperone expenses are covered by the participating students. Therefore, you must meet a minimum enrollment to make the trip viable.

1 Faculty Leader: Typically requires a minimum of 8–10 students (Maximum capacity: 10 students).
2 Faculty Leaders: Typically requires a minimum of 14–16 students (Maximum capacity: 20 students).
To ensure safety and ease of public transportation, the university enforces a strict maximum ratio of 10 students per leader.

Inclusions Policy

Lodging, airfare, ground transportation, activities, and most meals must be included in the budget.

Free Days: You may include 1–2 free days during a 2-week trip. Students are expected to pay out-of-pocket for all meals, transportation, and activities on these days.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner must be provided on all standard program days. Students are responsible for purchasing their own breakfasts for the entirety of the program.

Estimated Line-Item Costs

Estimated Roundtrip International Airfare:(Required)

Estimated In-Country Ground Transportation:(Required)

Estimated Lodging:(Required)

Estimated Meals:(Required)

Estimated Activities / Museum Entry Fees:(Required)

Proposed Program Total Base Cost:(Required)

Mandatory Fee Allocations (Deducted from the Total Base Cost)

Important Note: The percentages below are not added on top of your budget; they are carved out of your Proposed Program Total Base Cost. Your actual spending money for trip logistics on the ground will be what remains after these mandatory allocations are subtracted.

20% allocated for Tuition(Required)

10-15% allocated to cover Faculty Leader(s) expenses:(Required)

3% allocated as a Contingency Buffer:(Required)

3% allocated for the Department Fee:(Required)

Example: If your Proposed Program Total Base Cost is $5,000 per student, that means $1,800–$2,050 of that total is automatically used to cover the mandatory fee allocations. This leaves roughly $2,950-$3,200 per student to actually spend on their flights, hotels, meals, and activities.

Submission Guidelines & Next Steps

Timeline: Proposals must be submitted 12 months in advance of the proposed study abroad trip departure date.
Review Process: The Study Abroad Committee reviews all submitted proposals during the summer prior to the start of the academic year. You will be notified of the decision shortly after the review concludes.
Safety Compliance: Destinations must be rated Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) or Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) by the U.S. Department of State. Trips will not be approved for countries rated Level 3 or 4.
- Check current ratings here: U.S. State Department Travel Advisories
Post-Approval Support: If approved, the Experiential Learning Academic Specialist will reach out to you to begin execution. They will assist with marketing the program to students, guiding them through the application process, collecting passport details, and researching/booking group flights, lodging, and activities.
If you have any questions while filling out this form, please contact Gizell Maloney at or 989-837-4514.