The Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a leading university in the Midwest region of the United States with a strong reputation for quality instruction, research, and public service. Located 65 miles west of Chicago, NIU serves an on- and off-campus student population of over 23,000. As the second largest state university in Illinois, NIU supports 1,233 faculty who are active in scholarly and creative pursuits. Chartered in 1895, NIU is a comprehensive teaching and research university with seven degree granting colleges that together offer 51 undergraduate degree programs and 70 graduate degree programs, including Ph.D. programs, doctoral degrees in Education, and the Juris Doctorate. Currently, over 1,000 international students representing about 100 countries are enrolled at NIU. To meet the needs of an ever-growing international student body, NIU has employed a significant number of faculty and staff with valuable experience and skills in international training and related fields. Many faculty members are involved in international development activities that include providing consulting services to business, industry, education, and government, as well as providing technical assistance, instruction and training services overseas.

NIU draws upon the extensive human resources and support capabilities of the entire academic community as well as the rich learning resources of the Chicago area in order to create a meaningful learning environment for the participants of its international training programs. The university campus is within easy access to major federal regional centers, leading community colleges, political institutions and multinational companies, which make it possible to develop enriching observational tours and hands-on experiences for participants. NIU has the capacity, the institutional resources, flexibility, and the personnel to develop training programs that maximize learner participation and promote creative and practical applications. The University provides numerous academic facilities for its students, including a sizeable modern library, computer labs, and a state-of-the art language laboratory. The 514-acre campus is situated only 60 minutes from the shopping, entertainment, and historic landmarks of downtown Chicago.