Study Abroad
Hello! Hola! Bonjour! Privet! Hej! Guten tag! Ni hao! Konnichiwa!
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.
Mission Statement of the Office of Global Affairs
Create a supportive and interactive learning environment that celebrates multiculturalism by bringing all of Rockford University’s diverse student body together, in such a way that the academic as well as extra-curricular experiences of all students are enhanced and enjoyed.
Services Provided by the OGA
- Assist both U.S. and international students in realizing their dreams of studying abroad
- Provide services related to U.S. immigration regulations
- Offer international student orientation
- Provide international student academic advising and support
- Assist with tax preparation for international students
- Provide translation and interpretation referrals
Core Values of the OGA
- “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain
- “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine
- Enable everyone to have the opportunity to experience traveling abroad.
Study Abroad Exchange Programs
To apply for any of our Study Abroad programs, please fill out our Study Abroad Application
Short-Term Programs
Ireland May 2026
Rome May 2026
Uganda May 2027
Office of Global Affairs (OGA)
Burpee 2nd Floor
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4138
Fax: 001-815-226-4141Maria Diemer, Executive Director
mdiemer@rockford.eduJulie Griffith, Associate Director
jgriffith@rockford.eduDaniel Nord, Assistant Director
dnord@rockford.edu微信/Wechat ID: JulieOGA_Rockford
Hours:
Mon-Fri - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Going on this trip was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I learned that my life’s purpose goes way beyond what I thought before. I hope to continue on living my life seeking the same joy, peace and fulfillment that I felt throughout this whole adventure.
My experience in Warsaw, Poland was a profound lesson in resilience, witnessed through the lives of individuals, the struggles of a nation, and the weight of history. Presenting research on Jane Addams at Warsaw University deepened my appreciation for her legacy as a social reformer who championed peace and equality, often in the face of gender-based discrimination. Similarly, visiting the Marie Curie Museum was especially meaningful to me as a woman studying science. Curie’s groundbreaking scientific achievements, accomplished despite widespread skepticism toward women in science, exemplify intellectual and personal perseverance.
Exploring the Warsaw Uprising Museum revealed the incredible determination of Polish resistance fighters during one of the most harrowing chapters of World War II. Their courage and sacrifice showed a national spirit of endurance that was both humbling and inspiring. The visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau was emotionally devastating, a stark, unforgettable confrontation with human suffering and cruelty, but also with the strength of those who endured it.
This journey not only expanded my academic and cultural understanding but also instilled in me a deeper sense of gratitude and personal resolve. Witnessing so many stories of resilience — from scientists and reformers to entire communities — challenged me to pursue my goals with the same courage and conviction, regardless of obstacles.
