About International Initiatives
A Message from the Director, Dr. Kent Neuerburg 
With increased globalization, experience and appreciation of other countries, cultures, and languages is an increasingly important part of one’s personal, academic, and professional development. An international experience is an excellent way to broaden one’s understanding of the commonalities of the human condition as well as to develop an awareness of cultural differences.
Development of such a “global perspective” helps us to understand the nuances of major issues in many diverse areas such as politics, economics, art, and social behavior. Most importantly, an international experience helps us to develop a better understanding of ourselves, our world, and our place within the global community.
In an effort to increase the global vision of the students of Southeastern Louisiana University and of the members of the surrounding community, the Office of International Initiatives provides students and the regional community with cross-cultural and international experiences essential to success in a global economy and to the strengthening of educational, economic, and social relations between the United Statesand other countries.
Mission Statement
The International Initiatives Office is charged with promoting the development and coordination of Southeastern’s international programs and projects. These initiatives offer opportunities for students and faculty to participate in activities with students, universities, and other institutions abroad. These programs provide an international dimension to the academic, cultural, and professional growth of the university and the regional community that better prepares us to play constructive roles in today’s global society.
Study Abroad Programs
The experience of a Study Abroad program offers participants unique academic, cultural, and professional opportunities all while earning academic credit under the direction of some of Southeastern’s best faculty members. Also, those who have completed Study Abroad program have invaluable advantagesin an increasingly competitive job market.
International Initiatives
In collaboration with the University’s Division of Continuing Education, International Initiative Office, Latin American Business Development Initiative, the Institute for Global and Domestic Development, and other organizational resource; the Office of International Initiatives supports the development of a number of international programs.
These include visits by international leaders in political, cultural, educational, economic, and other fields; seminars and lectures for national and international organizations and institutions based outside the United States, delivered abroad, on Southeastern’s Hammond campus, or via distance education technologies; faculty and student exchange and joint academic programs with universities in other countries; and study abroad programs that offer students the opportunity to pursue studies in a number of disciplines while traveling in foreign lands.
With the support of institutions like the Inter-American Development Bank, the Organization
of American States, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA),
the state government of Louisiana, and other prestigious national and international
organizations, the University’s international initiatives have already yielded positive
results for partners such as the government of Cundinamarca and the Cor 
poración Jóvenes Constructores de Paz (Young Peace-Builders Program) in Colombia;
the Autoridad para la Micro, Pequeña y Mediana Empresa de Panamá (AMPYME Panama Authority
for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises); the Universidad Tecnológica de Honduras;
and other organizations that now work together in an expanding network facilitating
greater integration and cooperation between nations.