Scenic view of cliffs, sea and sky in New Zealand

UofM Customized

    UofM Customized programs provide education abroad professionals and faculty/staff from the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities, Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester campuses with the opportunity to utilize UMTC Learning Abroad Center study centers for short-term, instructor-led programming.

    All centers are staffed by local professionals who have experience working with US students and are well connected within the local community.

    UofM Customized leaders work closely with experienced University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Learning Abroad Center staff. We are able to assist from the early stages of program development and design through to evaluation and re-entry.

    Getting Started

    Download the Customized Program Request Form and email the completed form to Lindsey Lahr to begin the process. Planning takes approximately one year.

    Features

    • Personalized service from a UMTC Learning Abroad Center staff member
    • Established centers in each host community, many in nontraditional destinations
    • Experienced on-site staff
    • Innovative program design options including community engagement or volunteer placements
    • Logistical support including housing, transportation, and excursions
    • Culture learning resources for students and leaders
    • Health and safety support, including international health insurance
    • Online health and safety orientation
    • Evaluations

    Available Terms

    • Winter break
    • May session
    • Summer
    • Semester embedded options (alternative spring break, capstone seminar, etc.)

    Sites

    The UMTC Learning Abroad Center has well-established centers in the following locations. 

    Bocas del Toro, Panama

    Home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Panama's first National Marine Park, Bocas del Toro, Panama, is known for its abundant ecosystems and biodiversity. Student accommodations are located on Isla Bastimentos, a beautiful island located in a national marine park, Parque Nacional Marinas Isla Bastimentos, and home to several indigenous communities. Isla Basitmentos is one of the main islands in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, and is a boat ride from islands such as Isla Colon, Isla Solarte, Isla San Cristobal, and Zapatilla Caye where program activities and excursions can take place.

    Particularly good for programs focusing on: sustainability, environmental studies, conveservation, agriculture, health sciences

    Buenos Aires, Argentina

    The elegance of Europe and the spirit of South America live side by side in Buenos Aires. Founded by immigrants along the shores of the Rio de la Plata, Buenos Aires built its identity on Spanish, Italian, and French influences, which appear in the grand boulevards, expansive parks, and magnificent architecture.

    Particularly good for programs focusing on: political science, economics, global studies, psychology

    Chaing Mai, Thailand

    Thailand, the only southeast Asian country not colonized by European powers, serves as a multicultural hub for manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. Chiang Mai, the former capital of the Lanna kingdom, is located in mountainous northern Thailand. 

    Particularly good for programs focusing on: social justice, sustainability, development, Hmong/Southeast Asian studies, architecture, environmental studies

    Dakar, Senegal

    Senegal has long been seen as a crossroads where black African, Islamic, and European civilizations have met, clashed, and blended.

    Particularly good for programs focusing on: social justice, literature, development, African studies

    Dublin, Ireland

    Dublin, capital of the republic of Ireland is a warm and welcoming city is known for its rich culture, history and tradition. The city is friendly, easy to navigate and has many contemporary and historical points of interest recently becoming a European hub for many technology and multinational firms and organizations.

    Particularly good for programs focusing on: Theatre, Literature, Business, the social sciences, Irish history, music and culture.

    Madrid, Spain

    Madrid is a culturally rich, cosmopolitan, European capital. Working with the prestigious Fundación José Ortega y Gasset Gregorio Manañón opens opportunities in many areas.

    Particularly good for programs focusing on: history, architecture, language, culture, business, social sciences, psychology

    Montpellier, France

    Within easy reach of both mountains and the Mediterranean, and home to 100,000 university students, Montpellier is a young, vibrant city with a centuries-old history of intellectual advances and social tolerance.

    Particularly good for programs focusing on: immigration, French, literature, business

    Nairobi, Kenya

    Kenya's geographic and cultural diversity make it a microcosm of the African continent. It includes hot coastal plains, vast plateaus, Africa's largest lake and highest mountain, and hundreds of miles of the great Rift Valley.

    Particularly good for programs focusing on: development, environment, health sciences, agriculture

    Toledo, Spain

    Declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations, Toledo is a living museum, a preserved part of Spanish history where people still live, work, and play.

    Particularly good for programs focusing on: archaeology, history, architecture, Spanish language

    Contact

    Lindsey Lahr, UofM Customized Program Director