Gain a different cultural perspective on Special Education. Different nations and cultures have very different practical expectations for children with special needs. A learning abroad experience can open your mind to how different nations and cultures work with and value their citizens who have disabilities.
Department Recommendations
Fulfill Requirements
Major Requirements
Meet with your Special Education Departmental Adviser to determine appropriate course equivalencies for your major before applying to a program. Use the Academic Planning for Study Abroad (APSA) Form to structure your academic planning.
Consider the following:
- You may be able to take several of your elective courses during your study abroad experience.
- You may, with prior approval be able to take some required courses and some foundation courses, such as child psychology abroad.
- The Teaching Practicum in France offered through the Learning Abroad Center (LAC) allows students to examine French education practices and complete a portion of your teaching practicum through teaching English in a French school. See program listings in France for more information below.
Liberal Education Requirements
You can fulfill liberal education requirements while abroad. Consult the U-Credit Abroad Search for more information.
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 nonaffiliated programs, approval and support for nonaffiliated programs is highly unlikely.
Programs
Africa and the Middle East
Senegal
MSID—International Development in Senegal
- Term: Fall or Spring semester
- Participate on the Education & Literacy academic track, as part of the International Development course, which will focus your studies and help prepare you for your internship.
- Students will analyze the educational system, government policy, and impact on local educational structures, the disparities in access to education, and the relationship between education and development.
- Past internship placements in education include teaching in the schools, youth projects, teaching and assisting at an orphanage, working at youth care centers, working with youth with special needs.
- Language prerequisite: Minimum 4 semesters college-level French
Americas
Costa Rica
Universidad Nacional de Heredia, Costa Rica (available through IFSA Costa Rica)
- Term: Fall, Spring, or Academic Year
- Offers students the opportunity to take integrated courses in a variety of areas
- Students may also pair up with Costa Rican students to volunteer at a local primary school every week
- Available to Spanish speakers
Ecuador
MSID—International Development in Ecuador
- Term: Fall or Spring semester
- Participate on the Education & Literacy academic track, as part of the International Development course, which will focus your studies and help prepare you for your internship.
- Students will analyze the educational system, government policy, and impact on local educational structures, the disparities in access to education, and the relationship between education and development.
- Past internship placements include teaching in the schools, youth projects, women’s groups, orphanages, health clinics, community centers, and many more.
- Language prerequisite: Minimum 4 semesters college-level Spanish
Asia and Oceania
Australia
Macquarie University (available through IFSA Australia)
- Term: Fall, Spring, or Academic Year
- Institute of Early Childhood has an outstanding international reputation.
- Sample 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
Thailand
MSID—International Development in Thailand
- Term: Fall or Spring semester
- Participate on the Education & Literacy academic track, as part of the International Development course, which will focus your studies and help prepare you for your internship.
- Students will analyze the educational system, government policy, and impact on local educational structures, the disparities in access to education, and the relationship between education and development.
- Past internship placements include teaching in the schools, youth projects, women’s groups, orphanages, health clinics, community centers, and many more.
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 (DIS) and Summer in Denmark & Sweden
- Term: Summer, Fall, Spring
- 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 or 6-week programs with courses such as Children with Special Needs, Children in a Multicultural Context, and Cross-cultural psychology
- Semester and Academic-Year coursework have track options. Each track has one required core course with two accompanying study tours, including a Child Diversity and Development track.
France
- Term: Fall, Spring
- Complete your teaching practicum through teaching English in a French school
- 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 with a French language course
- Courses pre-approved to UofM credits and UofM degree requirements
- No language prerequisite. Coursework in English.
- Additional information about the program including videos of student experiences
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
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.