“Most of the experiences that truly enlighten us happen away from the classroom.”
Lynn Galle, Early Childhood Education Faculty
“Cultural competence has become a critical component to enhance a teacher's ability to connect with their students.”
Tom Pederstuen, Director of Human Resources, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District
Department Recommendations
In order to take courses in your Early Childhood Education Foundations major you will need to plan ahead with your adviser.
Fulfilling program requirements
Planning to take several of your elective classes during your study abroad experience will give you maximum flexibility in choosing courses. You may, with prior approval, also be able to take some required courses and some foundations courses, such as child psychology, abroad. Work with your CEHD adviser to get approval for courses prior to applying.
Liberal Education requirements
Your University of Minnesota Liberal Education requirements can be fulfilled through study abroad. The Learning Abroad Center has created the U Credit Abroad Search of classes that have already been approved, and offers the opportunity for students to submit additional courses for review and approval.
Some desired learning outcomes
As you consider your academic and career plans, think about ways in which study abroad can add to your skills and experiences.
- Gain a different cultural perspective on Early Childhood Education. Different nations and culture have very different practical expectations for their children. A learning abroad experience can add breadth to your repertoire of skills and understanding.
- Work on a second language. Intensive language study in an immersion environment can provide you with language skills, and first-hand experience in language acquisition can help you work with children at various stages of language development.
- Broaden your base of liberal education. Take courses at a host country university or study another culture’s literature, art, music, theater, or philosophy. You will not only gain a deeper understanding of the country where you are studying, but you can begin to understand the cultural component of your own identity and become a more mature and wise educator.
- Gain internship or research experience. Many study abroad programs include opportunities for practical, applied learning experiences.
Map your academic plan with your adviser
As soon as they have chosen a program, use an Academic Planning for Study Abroad (APSA) Form ;to facilitate a discussion with your adviser.
- Look for courses abroad that will fulfill your major and/or UMTC Liberal Education requirements.
- Be sure to meet with your adviser at least three months prior to departing for your program.
- Once you have chosen the courses that you want to take abroad (always choose more courses than you intend to take), have descriptions for those courses, and have begun filling out the APSA, you will meet with your adviser.
- Plan your four-year program of study with your adviser.
- To complete the APSA process you will also need a signature from a college adviser. Students who are not yet admitted to the College of Education and Human Development may still visit with a CEHD Student Services adviser to plan study abroad. Contact a CEHD adviser at 612.625.3339 or [email protected].
College/Department Scholarships for UofM Students
- CEHD students can apply for CEHD Study Abroad Scholarships in addition to other Learning Abroad Center scholarships.
Nonaffiliated Programs
CEHD strongly encourages students to participate in UofM-sponsored or affiliated programs, which have been vetted and approved by the Learning Abroad Center or another unit on campus. The UofM has close working relationships with hundreds of affiliated programs that are high quality in terms of academic standards, housing, cultural immersion, health and safety and administrative support services. CEHD encourages you to choose program options found on the Learning Abroad Center website. Occasionally CEHD students inquire about nonaffiliatedprograms, approval and support for nonaffiliated programs is highly unlikely.
Programs
Africa and the Middle East
Senegal
MSID—International Development in Senegal
- Program focuses on Senegal international development through coursework in the first half of the semester and an internship in the latter half
- Past internship placements include social work agencies, youth projects, women’s groups, orphanages, health clinics, community centers, and many more.
Americas
Ecuador
MSID—International Development in Ecuador
- Program focuses on Ecuador's international development through coursework in the first half of the semester and an internship in the latter half
- Past internship placements include social work agencies, youth projects, women’s groups, orphanages, health clinics, community centers, and many more.
Asia and Oceania
Australia
Flinders University (available through IFSA Australia)
- Examples of Early Childhood Education courses include Development, Learning, and Teaching; Psychology and Education; Curriculum Studies: Language and Literature II (6-10); and Teaching to Special Needs
- Content area courses may include Child Development; Language, Culture, and Communication; Interpersonal Communication Skills; American Century; Race, Class and Gender in American; and Professional English for Teachers
Macquarie University (available through IFSA Australia)
- Institute of Early Childhood has an outstanding international reputation.
- Samplse courses include Child Development: Approaches to Theory and Practices, Curriculum and Play in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Math, Science and Technology, Developmental Difference and Disability, Early Education for Young Children with Disabilities, Early Childhood Management, Family and Communities in a Culturally Diverse Society
University of Melbourne (available through IFSA Australia)
- Subjects at the University of Melbourne that focus on child development include Social and Emotional Development, Socialization and Identity, Developmental Differences, Cognitive Development
- Content area courses include Physics Principles and Applications (equiv PHYS 1101) and Critical Human Geography (equiv GEOG 1301).
- Potential internship sites include Melbourne’s Youth Research Center, the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital Center for Adolescent Health, and various early childhood education settings
University of Wollongong (available through IFSA Australia)
- Students may be able to take courses in Early Childhood Education and/or Primary Education such as Child Development and Care I, Learners with Exceptional Needs, Management of Early Childhood Services
- Examples of child psychology courses include Foundations of Psychology A or B, Theory, Design, and statistics in Psychology, Statistics and Measurements 1 and 2, Development and Social Psychology of Education I, Assessment and Intervention, Psychology of Abnormality
- Content area courses include Foundations of Psychology Introduction to the Concepts and Practice of Statistics, Evolution, Biodiversity, and Environment, Fundamentals of Physics, The Human Environment: Problems and Change, and English for Academic Purposes: A first language perspective
Thailand
MSID—International Development in Thailand
- Program type: Field Study
- Academic program built around grassroots development internships. Homestays and internship/research further enrich cultural immersion. Based in Chiang Mai but with internship options outside the city.
- Internship placements have focused on such areas as arts and culture, sustainability and the environment, public health, education and literacy, entrepreneurship and alternative economies, and social service.
- Instruction is in English; no prior Thai language is required. Fall or spring semester.
Europe
Denmark
In the Field: Teaching & Learning in Danish Schools & Communities
- Abroad May Term in Copenhagen, Denmark
- Gain firsthand experience in Danish schools by observing classrooms, participating in field studies, and hearing from local educators.
- Develop a greater understanding of Danish communities through exploring lively cultural centers.
- This program is led by Kathy Seifert, senior lecturer and Director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Educational Psychology
Study Abroad in Denmark and Summer in Denmark & Sweden
- Particularly suited for students in education, child development, and psychology
- Combines theory with a supervised practicum experience in a daycare center, early education institution or after school program
- Summer program offers 3, 6, or 10-week programs with courses such as Children with Special Needs, Children in a Multicultural Context, and Cross-cultural psychology
France
- Complete your teaching practicum at a French elementary school with kids learning English
- Earn credit for CI 3211 and 3212 (Intro to Teaching and Teaching Practicum)
- Language Development in Cross-Cultural Perspective, Directed Research, Comparative Education and Pedagogy as well as humanities and business courses in English are also offered
- Fulfill Liberal Education requirements
- Begin or continue your study of French in the French for Educators course
- No language prerequisite. Coursework is in English
- Additional information about the program including videos of student experiences
Ireland
Trinity College, Dublin (available through IFSA Ireland)
- Boasts some of the best academics in the country
- Courses offered relevant to child psychology include Developmental Psychology, Developmental Psychopathology, and Life Span Development.
University of Cork (available through IFSA Ireland)
- Foundations of Psychology, Cognitive Development, Human Development
Spain
- Excellent program for students also completing a Spanish minor with upper-division Spanish courses as well as courses on the history and culture of Spain
- Community engagement course with a focus on the immigrant experience in Spain
- Internship course with past placements at social service, organizations, the Toledo Regional Parliament, and with government programs that work with teenagers
United Kingdom
- With an internship in an urban school, you will have the opportunity to interact with students as a classroom assistant and receive guidance from the local teachers
- Sample courses include: Child Development in a British context, Childhood's Books, in addition to courses in history, literature, theatre, and many other subjects
- Community engagement course also offered
University College of London (available through IFSA United Kingdom)
- Take courses related to child psychology while at the same time taking courses that can fulfill liberal education requirements.
- Content area courses include Developmental Psychology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, and The Making of Modern America: the US since 1920
University of Sussex (available through IFSA United Kingdom)
- Content courses available in biology, physics, geography, and child psychology
- Examples include Cognitive Development, Human Geography, Personality and Individual Differences, Approaches to Psychology, Diversity of Life
Additional Options to Consider
- 3-week, 3-credit programs at the 3000-level led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff over winter break or May session.
- Explore an exciting location and topic, Fulfill Liberal Education requirements, or earn major/minor credit.
- Combine on-campus instruction during the spring semester with a study abroad component during spring break, on a 3 credits, 1xxx level Seminar.
- Freshman Seminars Abroad are designed specifically for first-year students as an introduction to study abroad, an opportunity to explore an exciting location and topic, and likely fulfill a liberal education requirement.
- Check out additional LAC Instructor-led Seminars that might run over winter break, spring break, May, and summer sessions. They vary in length, dates, and content so students can find one that best fits their academic and professional goals.
- Begin your language study or work toward completing requirements for a language minor.
- Complete a semester of language on a short-term program or explore options to complete two or more semesters of language on semester-long program.