There are a number of factors to consider when selecting a study abroad program. Talk to a Program Selection Adviser to discuss your interests and goals.
- University Study or Study Center
- Program Features
- Internship and Service Learning
- Language of Instruction
- Learning Abroad Center Programs and Partners
- Study in Your Major
- Housing and Meals
- Length and Term
University Study or Study Center
University Study
Some study abroad programs allow students to enroll at a host university.
- You can choose from a variety of courses
- Program dates may be different than US semester dates
- You study in a different, often more independent, educational system
- You are expected to perform at the same level as local students
Host-university study is a great way to immerse yourself into a local classroom and the university life of your host country.
Study Center
Some programs are located in study centers or institutes. These are rented facilities within a city or country. The building generally has a computer room, classrooms, staff offices, and possible other amenities.
- Courses are often similar to courses in the US
- You have a more focused selection of courses to choose from
- You will be in class with other US students
- Other activities are arranged for you like homestays, internships, language partners, cultural activities
Study center programs are good for students who want support or may not know the language of the host country.
Combined Option
Some programs allow students to take one or two courses at a study center and one or two courses at a host university.
Study abroad programs may offer one or a combination of the following types of opportunities:
Field or Classroom
Learn in a classroom at a university or in the field collecting data or seeing art first hand.
Research
Gather information for your senior paper or honors work.
Field Study & Excursion
Some programs include many structured activities that take you to local sites or other countries.
Volunteer
Connect with a local organization to offer support and gain experience.
Work
In rare cases, you can work while abroad; otherwise you can arrange to work after your study program.
On-Site Staff, Support, & Services
Some programs offer high levels of support while others are very independent. Be sure to choose a program that will meet your needs.
Resident Credit
Most programs offer this credit. Your courses will show up on your University of Minnesota transcript and your grade from abroad will affect your GPA.
Transfer Credit
A few programs offer this credit. Your courses do not show on your University of Minnesota transcript and your grades abroad will not affect your GPA.
Internship or Service Learning
Internships for Credit
Internships abroad can allow you to observe or gain hands-on experience in your field. Benefits to doing an internship as part of a your study abroad program include:
- Placement services
- Ability to use financial aid to cover costs
- On-site support for housing and problem solving
- Academic component that allows credit to be offered
Your activities in the internship depend on many things:
- The country you are in (do they have a tradition of internships?)
- Your past experiences in the field (the more experienced you are the more likely you will be able to get an internship.)
- The field you are interested in (some countries have tight regulations around working with people in the health care or other industries.)
Keep these things in mind when researching study and internship programs. If you are interested in doing an internship independently that does not, on its own, carry credit, be sure to review our Work, Intern, and Volunteer section of this site.
Service Learning
Service-learning provides direct experience applying content, ideas, and issues discussed in a class through volunteering at a community organization. Students support the organization and its goals, and the organization gives students the opportunity to serve the community and develop professional skills and contacts. Structured reflection on the experience is an essential component of a service learning program.
English
Many programs in non-English speaking countries offer courses in English. For example Yonsei University in South Korea and University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands offer many courses in English. Be sure to investigate ALL of your options.
Another Language
You have many options to study a language
or study your discipline in another language. Some programs
allow you to study a language
intensively.
Learning Abroad Center Programs & Partners
Learning
Abroad Center Sponsored Programs
These study abroad experiences are developed, administered,
and evaluated by the University of Minnesota. Students receive
full services from the Learning Abroad Center. On-site staff
are available to provide support and services in-country.
Non-University of Minnesota students may apply to many of
these programs.
U
of M Department & College Sponsored Programs
Several University of Minnesota departments and colleges sponsor
their own programs. Students receive
full services from those offices on campus. See a list
of departments and colleges that work with the Learning Abroad
Center or see departmental and custom programs.
UMD,
UMM, & UMC Sponsored Programs
University of Minnesota students can
do programs from any University of Minnesota system school.
Students will work directly with the appropriate
office at the system school that sponsors the program.
Cosponsored
Programs
Learning Abroad Center cosponsored programs are administered
by other institutions and approved by the University of Minnesota.
Students will receive some support and services from the Learning
Abroad Center but will also be dealing with a third party.
These programs are very independent and require students to deal with a lot of ambiguity. You will be responsible for problem solving in-country. Deadlines can be a year before you leave for the program. There are full and partial scholarship exchange programs. To investigate more if exchanges are right for you, be sure to review Are Exchanges a Good Fit for You?.
Directed
Study Abroad
Study abroad opportunities are not limited to formal instruction
in study abroad programs or at foreign institutions. An alternative
option is a contract between a student and a University of
Minnesota faculty member. Directed study provides University
of Minnesota students the opportunity to work independently
on a project of their own design while abroad, in coordination
with a faculty member. Working with the Learning Abroad Center
on a Directed
Study Abroad will give you access to financial aid.
Outside
Programs
University of Minnesota students can attend and possibly receive
credit for many non-University of Minnesota programs, called
Outside Programs. These programs come from a wide variety
of sponsors with no direct University of Minnesota affiliation.
Faculty have not reviewed the quality of these programs and
credit is not guaranteed. Students have the responsibility
to ensure quality and credit on these programs. Guidelines
and information on program planning and academic credit are
available at Outside
Programs.
The Learning Abroad Center closely works with many majors on campus. The Study Abroad Major Advising Sheets (SAMAS) help you:
- Identify academic considerations in your major to help you plan what to study abroad
- Think about when you should study abroad
- Find programs that work particularly well for your major
You are not limited to the programs on those sheets. The Learning Abroad Center has done preliminary research and you should do more to ensure you choose the right program for you.
Most study abroad programs offer one or more of the following options.
Homestay
Living with a family in another country is one of the highlights
of an international experience. It is an opportunity to experience
the daily life of the host country from a firsthand perspective
and to develop lifelong ties to the host family. It is also
a good way to learn another language.
One or two meals a day are generally taken with the family.
Apartment
Living in an apartment allows more independence for students.
The key to a successful stay in an apartment is to be mindful
and respectful of the landlord’s guidelines and expectations.
Students cook for themselves using the kitchen facilities provided.
Dorm
Dorms tend to be on or near campus and have facilities nearby
such as cafeterias and laundry. Dorm living also allows students
to meet host country and other international students.
Some dorms have shared kitchen facilities and others offer a meal plan or require students to purchase food locally.
Programs vary in length from three weeks to twelve months. As you plan for study abroad, think about what length and term will give you the experience you are looking for.
Fall semester, spring semester, academic year, calendar year, southern hemisphere semesters, May session, winter break, and summer sessions are all different dates and have different deadlines.
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Last modified on May 16, 2008 |