Now in its 100th year at Northeastern University, the world’s most innovative cooperative education program is well positioned to prepare students for the global challenges of the next 100 years.
Co-op is closely integrated with classroom studies, and gives students the power to engage with the world through work, research, and public service in 450 communities in the United States, and 39 countries and 96 cities around the globe.
These experiences inspire students to pursue greater academic challenges, provide unmatched opportunities for intellectual, professional, and personal growth, and instill students with the confidence and sophistication to pursue their own path, wherever it may lead.
Co-op enables students at Northeastern to make an impact in the world—before they graduate. To illustrate this priority, Northeastern has dedicated the 2009–2010 academic year to promoting global experience in all its forms.
For example, the new Presidential Global Scholars Program was just announced to support outstanding students seeking international co-op opportunities. Through competitively awarded grants, this program will help ensure that more students have the financial means they need to pursue co-op opportunities around the world.
To showcase past examples of international co-op, the 2009 Parent & Family Weekend featured a student panel discussion about global learning experience and how these have enriched the students’ education.

Two of the panelists, Maggie Goldberg and Christa Rocco did their first co-ops in physical therapy together at the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children in Banepa, Nepal.  Goldberg and Rocco were the first physical therapy students from Northeastern to undertake a co-op in Nepal.  They planned their co-op in collaboration with Projects Abroad, an organization that helps students pursue volunteer internships in the developing world and paid for the opportunity.

Leading up to their co-op both of girls fundraised through family, friends and professional connections to finance their trip. Today, the Presidential Global Scholars Program is in place to assist students seeking costly or volunteer international co-op opportunities. Up to 200 qualifying students each year will become Presidential Global Scholars. The Presidential Global Scholarship grants up to $6,000 for a period of travel on an approved international co-op.  Out of this group, a select number will earn the designation of Presidential Global Fellow and will receive a full tuition scholarship for the remainder of their undergraduate degree.

Whichever path they choose, Northeastern students gain a deeper understanding of the world and are increasingly pursuing opportunities on the global stage.