As graduation approaches, Sacred Heart Greenwich seniors select which universities they will attend in the fall. However, instead of heading straight to a college campus for the first semester, seniors Giada Coviello and Caroline Hartch will study abroad as part of the N.U.in. program at Northeastern University. These two seniors will fly to the European destination of their choice and spend the fall semester immersed in a foreign culture.
The N.U.in. program began in 2007 to provide students with an experience that develops cultural sensitivity, self-awareness, and collaboration. During the college admission process, Northeastern selects a limited number of students with strong academic independence to be eligible for the program. The students partner with one of Northeastern’s international affiliate locations and spend the first semester learning about a new culture. Ultimately, Northeastern hopes that the selected students will use their autonomy to explore new destinations academically and culture and expand their perspective of the world, according to nuin.northeastern.edu.
In the fall, Giada will board a plane and fly off to Lisbon, Portugal for her first semester as a college student. She chose Northeastern due to its NU.in. program because she thought it would be the perfect opportunity to gain independence and learn about new cultures. Moreover, she selected Lisbon because of its beautiful architecture and warm Mediterranean climate. Giada commented on how her time on King Street has prepared her for studying abroad.
“I undoubtedly would not have been selected for the NU.in program if it weren’t for my education and experience at Sacred Heart,” Giada said. “When selecting applicants, Northeastern looks at individuals who show courage to adapt to new situations, something I did when transferring from my town’s public high school to Sacred Heart during my junior year. While my time at Sacred Heart has been rather short, I have learned how to interact and be kind to everyone, regardless of our differences.”
Caroline is eager to expand her intellectual horizons across the Atlantic Ocean in Berlin, Germany, next semester. She chose Berlin due to the city’s central location in Europe and because she has relatives who live in Germany. In addition, she hopes to advance her proficiency in the German language, learn the country’s rich history, and witness nuanced perspectives. Caroline discussed why she believes it is essential to seek new opportunities.
“I think taking advantage of the opportunities that you have been afforded and are working for is crucial,” Caroline said. “I am thankful that because of the responsibilities I’ve taken on and role models I have watched, I trust in my ability to make decisions for myself, which was key in both deciding to go abroad and choosing the specific location I was looking for. I think that by going abroad, I will be able to facilitate the goals I have for myself and set new ones.”
Featured Image by Emily Shull ’25
