Teaching Courses Abroad
What are U-Led Programs?
Leading
a group of students abroad is a professionally rewarding experience!
Over 150 University of Minnesota faculty and staff have taught
undergraduate and graduate students in an international setting.
Students and program leaders alike find the experience to be a
highlight of their academic and professional careers.
The Learning Abroad Center is here to help you develop one of these
unique learning opportunities. U-Led Programs encompass four models
for leading a group of students abroad.
Program Models
Global Seminar Program- Could your program be designed for and open to students from a variety of academic backgrounds?
- Do you prefer to have the highest level of support from the Learning Abroad Center with your program's development, administration, and implementation?
- Would mentoring and feedback from other leaders be useful to you?
- Do you prefer to design a discipline-specific program for a particular population of students?
- Would you like to develop deeper connections with existing Learning Abroad Center programs and take advantage of the onsite staff's knowledge and expertise?
- Do you prefer to have a higher level of support from the Learning Abroad Center with your program's development, administration, and implementation?
- Do you prefer to design a discipline-specific program for a particular population of students?
- Does your program have specific academic pre-requisites that students must meet?
- Do you have a specific location in mind?
- Do you prefer, and are you able, to assume full ownership of your program's development, administration, and implementation?
- Would you like to take first year students abroad?
- Do you want to combine on-campus instruction with an abroad component?
- Do you prefer to have the highest level of support from the Learning Abroad Center with your program's international development, administration, and implementation?
Program Model Comparison Chart
| Global Seminar Program | Global Partner Program | Collegiate & Departmental Program | Freshman Seminars Abroad | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Academics |
3 credits |
Determined by program leader/department |
Determined by program leader/department |
3 credits Open to freshman only No pre-requisites |
|
Program Length |
3 weeks |
Determined by program leader/department |
Determined by program leader/department |
Fall semester with approximately 8 days - 2 weeks abroad over winter break or Spring semester with approximately 8-9 days abroad over spring break |
|
Program Location |
In consultation with the LAC |
LAC program sites |
Determined by program leader/department |
In consultation with the LAC |
|
Program Approval |
LAC |
LAC |
College/department |
College/department and LAC |
|
Overall program management |
LAC |
LAC |
Program leader/department |
LAC |
|
On-site Logistical Support |
Arranged by LAC |
Arranged by LAC |
Arranged by faculty leader/department |
Arranged by LAC |
|
Marketing |
LAC and Global Seminar leader |
LAC: basic webpage and catalog entry All other: Department |
LAC: basic webpage and catalog entry All other: Department |
LAC and Freshman Seminars Abroad leader |
|
Student Application Review and Acceptance Decision |
LAC |
Program Leader |
Program Leader |
LAC |
|
Financial Responsibility |
LAC |
Department |
Department |
LAC |
Funding
Program leaders
Faculty or staff who are interested in leading a program are eligible to apply for International Travel Grants through the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance.
Resources
Articles on Leading Programs Abroad
This selection of articles on leading programs abroad may be useful whether you are a first-time leader looking for more information on what it means to lead a program abroad, or you are a seasoned leader who is just interested in learning more.
Center for Teaching and LearningThe Learning Abroad Center partners with the Center for Teaching and Learning for the Internationalizing On Campus Courses initiative in addition to other efforts to internationalize undergraduate curriculum.
