Graduate & Professional Students

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Build your resume by studying a language, conducting research abroad, or doing an international internship related to your academic program.  Whether you choose to plan it yourself or participate in an organized program, the Learning Abroad Center advising staff is here to assist you.

Follow the steps below to ensure the best possible match for your personal and curricular needs.

Set goals & prioritize

Determine your goals and priorities for study abroad. Study abroad programs can help you meet degree requirements, especially field experiences or internships, and are also an excellent way to study a language or gain a different perspective on your discipline.

Talk with your faculty adviser

Talk to your academic adviser about your interest in including an international component in your degree program. Faculty advisers can supervise independent projects, provide professional contacts, and approve courses to fulfill degree requirements.

Explore your options

  • Research program & research opportunities for graduate students
  • Talk to other students
    Students in your graduate program may have done or know of projects similar to the one you are planning and have good advice to share with you.
  • Develop a plan with your faculty adviser

Apply for programs

Allow yourself plenty of time to complete a program application or make the necessary professional contacts to secure your own placement. Application deadlines range from three months to one year before the program start date.

Find funding

You may use federal financial aid for organized programs or to pay for directed study credits. Grants, scholarships, and fellowships are also available through the University of Minnesota Global Programs and Strategy Alliance Graduate Student Funding and external funding sources.

Follow required University of Minnesota Policy

  • Travel to countries on the State Department Travel Warning List require special approval. UofM ITRAAC (The International Travel Risk Assessment and Advisory Committee) approval is required for activities abroad involving credit, use of University funds (finnancial aid, scholarships etc.), to fulfill degree requirements or on an activity led by a University faculty/staff on behalf of the University. Note that approval takes 6-8 weeks so you are advised to apply early. Travel warning updates occur regularly and students should consult the State Department Travel Warning List frequently. Popular locations that have a State Department Travel Warning include; Israel, Kenya and Mexico. 
  • UM-CISI international travel, health, and security insurance is mandatory for students engaging in activites abroad involving credit, use of University funds (financial aid, scholarships etc.), to fulfill degree requirements on an activity led by a University faculty/staff on behalf of the University, as stipulated by University of Minnesota policy. To see details of the coverage, visit the international travel, health, and security insurance web page. To read the University of Minnesota policy, go to the University of Minnesota policy web page.