Program Details
Location
The Hauge, Delft, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Tilburg, Gouda,
Netherlands
Term
May Session
Housing
Apartment
Hotel
Languages Taught In
English
Program Eligibility
Student Type
UofM Students
Non UofM Students
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
Graduate Students
GPA
2.5
About
When it comes to design, the Dutch are innovative, quirky, sustainable, and systems-thinking. They are pioneers in design of public transportation, city planning, architecture, agriculture, play, educational models, policy, and more. On this program, you will be based in the centrally located, government seat of the Netherlands, The Hague, with excursions to other surrounding cities (via bike, tram, and train) to experience how design is embedded into all aspects of life.
Through visits to local farms, companies, and even a theme park, you will see the wide range of innovation in Dutch design in all aspects of life. You’ll also have the opportunity to tour local university facilities and work on a project with students and faculty in these programs.
Program Model
Housing & Meals
You will live in shared housing with other program participants. Welcome and farewell meals, and some other additional meals, are included in the program fee. Additional meals can be prepared in the housing or taken at local eateries.
Due to the dairy related content and program inclusions, this program might not be suitable for those that are vegan or have a lactose intolerance.
Excursions
Excursions in the Netherlands may include:
- Biking tour of The Hague
- Visits to local businesses and companies
- Visit to Kinderboerderij (children's city farm) and Haagse Bos (forest)
- Rotterdam architecture tour
- Visits to local markets
- Day trip to Gouda to visit a farm and local shops
- Overnight visit to Efteling (theme park)
- Connections with local universities
- Multi-day excursion to Amsterdam (visits to the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, and Nemo)
Note: Getting around by bicycle will be a significant component of the program. You will be expected to be able to ride a bicycle.
Accessibility
If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.
Flight
All program participants will take the coordinated group flight to and from the program site. The cost of the group flight is included in the program fee that will be posted to your student account. Do not book your own flight; you will receive information from the Learning Abroad Center about your seat on the group flight once your participation has been confirmed.
It might be possible to deviate your return flight. Inquire with your program contact if interested.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop independence by challenging yourself in a new environment
- Function as an effective team member by utilizing your personal strengths in a group setting
- Explore a specific topic through experiential and interdisciplinary approaches
Faculty & Staff
This program is led by Barry Kudrowitz, a professor of product design and head of the Department of Design Innovation in the College of Design. Barry has also previously led learning abroad programs to Hong Kong and Singapore.
Program Structure
Program Level
3000-level coursework
Courseload
One 3-credit course
Global Seminars are 3-week study abroad programs led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff that feature:
- Intensive learning in a location that illuminates the topic
- Small groups of 15–25 students
- No prerequisites or language requirements
- Included excursions and cultural activities
- Instruction in English
Coursework
Coursework will include daily reflective prompts, active participation, and a team-design challenge.
During most days of the program, you will be given a prompt that will include both written and photo documentation and submission. These reflections will be graded on quality and timely submission. These prompts will generally relate to design and some aspect of culture/daily life.
You will also participate in a team project working with students at either TU Delft or TU Eindhoven. The project will be an early-stage design challenge asking students to research, ideate, and design concepts for a given prompt. The deliverables will be a presentation with slides.
Receive credit for: PDES 3790
Approved for: Product Design Majors and Minor upper division elective
Sustainability
The Learning Abroad Center is committed to sustainability and incorporating this into its programs. This course can be tied to Sustainable Development Goals through course content and program activities including:
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure— This program will be based in The Hague such that travel can be achieved almost entirely with public transportation. When in the Hague and the neighboring cities, we will be traveling via bicycle for students to experience a state-of-the-art bike-centered city infrastructure. For trips to further cities, we will use the train system, again to experience and learn from the design of a state-of-the-art train system.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities–The Dutch are generally good at local sourcing of ingredients and produce, and the majority of Dutch consumers give preference to sustainability and traceability when making food choices in a grocery store. This is apparent when comparing food products in the Netherlands with the United States. We will also see how the Dutch have renovated greenhouse technology for optimizing produce production with less waste and being able to grow more varieties of produce year-round, which reduces the overall carbon footprint.
We will also touch on the SDGs Good Health and Well-Being, Quality Education, Life Below Water, and Life on Land. As we tour cities, students will also learn how the Dutch have reclaimed land and have become known around the world as experts in water management and below-sea-level engineering. With rising sea level, the Dutch are the leaders in designing for mitigation of flooding and water management in large civil projects.
Accessibility
If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.
Dates Details
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
| Program Term | Program Dates | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| May Session 2026 | May 15–June 7, 2026 (tentative) | February 15, 2026 |
Program dates are subject to change.
If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.
Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.
Information Sessions
Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 1st | 12:00 p.m. | Zoom only. Register here. |
| Tuesday, May 6th | 12:00 p.m. | Hybrid (Humphrey 289, West Bank). Register here. |
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
- Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**
The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:
Fees
May 2026 Cost of Participation forthcoming
The cost of participation includes educational costs, group flight airfare, program administration, housing, most meals, international health insurance, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, and local transportation. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. Generally, program fees range between $6,500–$8,000. You must also budget for visa, passport and passport photos, meals not included, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses.
Recent increases in international airfare and accommodation costs have impacted all instructor-led program fees. The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Special funding is available if you are a first-year student through the Gerald B. & Catherine L. Fischer Study Abroad Scholarship.
Additional Scholarship Opportunity for Passport Funding
Students on a 2025–26 winter break, May, and summer Learning Abroad Center Seminar who apply for and are awarded the Gopher Study Abroad Scholarship during the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 scholarship application cycles will receive an additional $500. No additional scholarship application is required. Eligible students who are awarded a Gopher Study Abroad Scholarship will automatically be considered while funding remains. This award is funded by the generous support of WorldStrides, an LAC partner organization.
This program is considered part of summer enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Prepare
Be aware: Learning Abroad Center programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.
Apply
The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Additional considerations for application:
- Getting around by bicycle will be a significant component of the program. You will be expected to be able to ride a bicycle.
- Due to the dairy related content and program inclusions, this program might not be suitable if you are vegan or have a lactose intolerance.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
- Application Essay
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
If you do not meet the GPA requirement for this program you will be required to submit an additional essay. It will be added to your checklist after you start your application, and you will be notified when it has been added.
Next Steps
- After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
- Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
- If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
- Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
- Passport Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information Form
- Online Health & Safety Orientation
- Release & Waiver
- You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Jemma Lund at [email protected],
or call at
612.625.8827.