History of Curriculum Integration at the University of Minnesota
In the late 1990s, the University of Minnesota began a pilot project to test new ways of integrating study abroad in the undergraduate curricula. Collaboration between the University's study abroad office and the Institute of Technology led to a substantial increase in study abroad participation by engineering and technology students. This success led to funding by FIPSE and the Bush Foundation to develop the "Minnesota Model" in a way that could be shared by other institutions.
Read more about the history of study abroad curriculum integration at the University.
The "Minnesota Model"
The University of Minnesota's model of study abroad Curriculum Integration is based upon several guiding principles and concrete goals. An innovative pedagogy was developed to assess the undergraduate curricula with regard to study abroad and how faculty, academic advisers, and education abroad professionals partner to motivate students to study abroad.
Internationalizing the Curriculum Conference Proceedings
The University of Minnesota hosted a first-of-its-kind conference on study abroad curriculum integration in April 2004—Internationalizing Undergraduate Education: Integrating Study Abroad into the Curriculum. This successful conference featured presentations by faculty, academic advisers, university administrators, and education abroad professionals from around the world. The monograph of the conference proceedings is available.
Current Curriculum Integration Activities
On-going activities for UofM faculty, staff, and academic advisers regarding curriculum integration include engagement opportunities for faculty and staff.
Learning Abroad Center professionals continue to work with departments to internationalize undergraduate curricula with study abroad.