Northeastern's Carhart to participate in CIEE site visits

(TAHLEQUAH, OK)--Dr. Richard Carhart, the executive director of Northeastern State University's International Programs, will visit Spain and Morocco in March to assess study sites for the Council on International Educational Exchange.

NSU was recently invited to become a member of the CIEE academic consortium. The consortium's function is similar to that of a board of directors, and it is responsible for program content, site evaluation and center accreditation.

"This invitation really is quite an honor," Carhart said. "We're now in the company of Harvard, Michigan State, Illinois, Texas and USC."

The CIEE is a non-profit organization founded in 1947 to promote international education and exchange. It facilitates students' study at universities, teaching programs and seminars abroad and the visits of approximately 45,000 foreign university students in the U.S. each year. It also enables international programs for instruction, training or seasonal work.

CIEE sponsors approximately 120 programs in more than 40 countries and is the largest third-party study abroad organization in the U.S.

When students study abroad, NSU's overriding considerationsurpassing even the students' educationsis their personal safety and security. The students also need someone in-country and proximate to offer assistance at any time.

"CIEE is one of the few organizations that meet these criteria to our satisfaction," Carhart said. "A companion concern is the academic rigor of the study abroad programs which is carefully monitored by select faculty advisory groups, academic administrators and the consortium universitieslike us."

The purpose of the site visits, Carhart said, are to review the curriculum, meet the students and faculty and speak to the administrators of the respective programs. The goal of these assessments is to make certain they remain suitable for visiting NSU students.

"It's more like an accreditation visit, somewhat similar to the North Central Association-Higher Learning Commission requirements and guidelines for NSU accreditation," he said.

For descriptions of CIEE programs visit www.CIEE.org, click "Study" and then the "U.S. College Students" tabs. For more information about NSU International Programs visit.