Global Identity Course FAQ

Why should I take this course?

• Gain practice marketing your international experience to future employers or graduate and professional schools.
• Receive individual feedback and mentoring to help promote deeper understanding of your experiences in the host culture.
• Understand the value of the intercultural skill-set you acquire overseas.

Am I required to take this course?

This course is optional, but strongly suggested for students participating in learning abroad programs that last 6 weeks or more.

Do I need to buy a book?

All readings for the course are online through the University of Minnesota’s E-Reserve System. There is also a Canvas site which houses all other course documents. There is no additional cost for the readings. Due to limited internet access at some program sites, you should consider printing the readings prior to departure and take them with you.

Can I still take the course if I have limited internet access on-site?

Assess your internet access immediately upon arrival in your host country and contact your instructor with any concerns. Your instructor can work with you individually to accommodate your situation if internet access is a challenge.

How much does the course cost?

There is no course fee for UofM and Non-UofM students participating on a Learning Abroad Center Program.

For students participating on an Affiliate program (Arcadia, CET, IES, IFSA, etc..) the course fee is $200 if you register by the deadline. Late registration will be considered on a case by case basis with a course fee of $503.00 (one-credit undergraduate tuition). Non-resident students pay the same rate as residents.

Who is my instructor?

Instructors are from the University of Minnesota and have master's degree or higher in a relavent field. All instructors are specially trained in intercultural learning and are familiar with your experience as a study abroad student.

When will I hear from my instructor?

Your instructor will contact you via your University of Minnesota email account approximately two weeks prior to your program start date. 

What if I am not contacted by an instructor?

If you are not contacted by your instructor by two weeks prior to your program start date, email Amy Garwood-Diaz at the Learning Abroad Center immediately. 

How do I register for the course?

Registration instructions are emailed to your University of Minnesota email account the semester prior to your study abroad experience. University of Minnesota students register themselves via MyU. If you are a non-University of Minnesota student choosing to take the course, you should email Amy Garwood-Diaz in the Learning Abroad Center to register. Include your name, University of Minnesota ID and your home institution. The Learning Abroad Center will then complete the registration for you.

Can I register for this course after I start my study abroad program?

You are not able to enroll in this course once you arrive onsite for your program because this course requires a pre-departure assignment. You must register for the course by the deadline established in the registreation email sent from LAC Academic Services team. Late registration will be considered on a case by case basis with a course fee of $503.00 (one-credit undergraduate tuition). 

How do I drop the course?

To drop the Global Identity course, you must email your request to Amy Garwood-Diaz.

If you do not officially request to drop the course, you will remain registered even if you do not submit any coursework, and will receive a failing grade.  Please note that the drop policies are different for Summer programs, than they are for Semester programs.

What is the deadline for dropping the course?

SUMMER PROGRAMS

SEMESTER-LONG PROGRAMS

You will have two weeks from your official program start date to request that the Global Identity course be dropped to avoid a "W" on your University of Minnesota transcript, if you have not already used your one-time late withdrawal. Please see the policy on the UofM's one-time late withdrawal policy.

If you submit your request after the first two weeks, the course will appear as a "W" on your transcript.

If you submit your request after the final ten-week drop period, you will not be allowed to withdraw, and you will receive the grade that you have earned for the course (A-F).

Can I get a refund if I drop the course?

In accordance with the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation and Refund Policy, if you drop the course within one week of your program start date, you will be issued a full refund.  If you drop more than one week after your program start date, you will not receive a refund.

How and when will I be billed for this course?

UofM and Non-UofM students participating on a Learning Abroad Center program will not be billed.

Students participating on affiliated programs will be billed to your University of Minnesota student billing account as a separate (additional) charge. The charge will appear on your account in late December for spring and calendar year programs and mid-June for fall and academic year programs.

Can the cost of this course be covered by my financial aid?

When you request your Study Abroad Cost Estimate (SACE), mention that you are taking the Global Identity course to have the cost of the course reflected in your SACE. If you have already requested and received a SACE, you must request a revised SACE to include the Global Identity course.

Grading Policy?

A–F grading is used for this course.  You will receive a letter grade for each of the five assignments.  You must complete each of the five assignments in order to receive a passing grade for the course.  This course is only available under the A-F grade base.  If you register for it, you must select A-F as your grade base.  If you select S/N, the Learning Abroad Center will change your grade base to A-F.