Gopher Gateway: Global Experiences for First-Year Students

Can I apply before I know whether I’ve been accepted to UMTC?

Yes. If you have submitted your application to UMTC and are awaiting acceptance then you may apply to a Gopher Gateway program.

Can I apply to more than one Gopher Gateway program?

No. It is advised that you choose one program at the time that you apply. If the program you chose is full we can work with you to move to another program.

I’m an international student, can I still apply?

Maybe. There are additional considerations for incoming first year international Gophers. Submit the program mailing list form and note that you are an international student. One of the Gopher Gateway LAC staff will follow up with you.

I’m transfer student, can I still apply?

Maybe. There are additional considerations for incoming transfer Gophers. Submit the program mailing list form and note that you are an incoming transfer student. One of the Gopher Gateway LAC staff will follow up with you.

Do I have to be 18 in order to participate?

Yes. Participating students must be 18 years old by the in-person orientation date (August 22, 2026).

How will I find out if I’m accepted?

You will receive an email from the Learning Abroad Center (LAC) notifying you of your acceptance and the next steps you need to take in your LAC online application portal to confirm your participation.

Submitting the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form is what updates your status from Admitted to Confirmed.

What if I decide not to attend UMTC?

Notify the Learning Abroad Center if you decide not to attend UMTC as you will then be ineligible to participate on a Gopher Gateway program.

The Learning Abroad Center offers a number of other programs for students from other institutions.

How do I receive more information?

Join our program mailing list to receive important updates-including application notices, scholarship information, and more!

Will I receive credit?

Yes! You will receive 3 credits. All programs include the abroad component and an on-campus course component.

After going abroad, and participating in Welcome Week, students will meet with their group and instructor for the first half of fall semester. This will help support your transition to campus, as well as allow you to finish up one 3-credit course around mid-terms, and focus on your other courses the rest of the semester.

Do I have to be in a specific Major or College to participate?

No. All of the Gopher Gateway program offerings are open to any first-year admitted UMTC student. You can participate in a program that has a course designator/number from your home College or a different College.

Will I receive any liberal education requirements by participating in one of these programs?

Yes. Most of the Gopher Gateway program course offerings are approved for a liberal education requirement theme, core, and or writing intensive.

If I am a CBS student, will I miss my summer Nature of Life at Itasca experience?

No. Nature of Life (NOL) at Itasca sessions all occur in June and July. You will also need to be sure to complete your on-campus Summer Orientation.

Do I need to be able to speak a foreign language to participate?

No. There are no language pre-requisites or requirements for any Gopher Gateway program. Some foreign language ability may be useful, but it is not required.

What does my program fee cover?

International group airfare, housing, many meals, program excursions, visits, tours, in-country transportation for all program related activities, airport transfers, program administration, international medical, security, and evacuation insurance, and one night on UMTC campus during pre-departure orientation. The 3 course credits will be within your fall tuition band.*

Participants should also budget for passport and passport photos, ETIAS/ETA, some meals, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses. These expenses will not be billed to student accounts.

*If you are registered for less than 13 credits you will be charged tuition for this course in addition to the program fee.

How much do Gopher Gateway programs cost?

Program costs are dependent on the location and other factors specific to each Gopher Gateway program. The program fee for the 2026 Montpellier, France Gopher Gateway program is $3400, and the London, UK program is $4290, after the automatic fee reduction. These program fees include international airfare. You can find the specific billed and estimated additional expenses on the program web page on the Fees tab. The 3 course credits will be within your fall tuition band. There are many additional scholarships and fee reductions. See below.

Are there fee reductions?

Yes. Each student who has confirmed their participation in a Gopher Gateway program will receive an automatic $2000 fee reduction on their program fee if they participate. No additional application is necessary to receive the fee reduction.

Additional fee reductions and or scholarships might be possible. See below and check the program web page Fees tab for additional scholarship or fee reduction information.

Do I need to apply for the program fee reduction separately?

No. If you are chosen as a participant on one of these programs, you will automatically receive the Gopher Gateway program fee reduction.

Are there any scholarships available?

Yes, multiple!

CFANS Students: An automatic one-time scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded for the first 20 CFANS students to confirm on any one of the Gopher Gateway 2026 programs. Specific questions about processing of the funds should be directed to Holly Klinger at [email protected].

CEHD Students: An automatic one-time scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded for the first 10 CEHD students to confirm on any one of the Gopher Gateway 2026 programs. Specific questions about processing of the funds should be directed to Laura Essig at [email protected].

ALL Gopher Gateway Students: Gopher Gateway students who are eligible for subsidized loans will receive an additional automatic $1,000 scholarship toward the program fee.

How does billing work?

UMTC students are billed a Program Fee for learning abroad programs through their student account. Each program will have a posted Cost of Participation (CoP) that states which costs are billed costs and which are estimated additional expenses to be paid out of pocket. The program fee is billed and paid along the fall semester billing timeline.

Will I miss my summer orientation?

No. Most, if not all, Summer Orientation dates will be finished prior to the program dates. You must attend and participate in your Summer Orientation date in June or July. Be sure to sign up for an orientation that occurs before in-person pre-departure orientation for your learning abroad program.

When will I move into on-campus housing (if I'm living on campus)?

Early! If you are living on campus, you will have the benefit of being allowed to check-in and move into on-campus housing early. Program participants will move into the residence halls and stay in them for one night during the in-person pre-departure orientation process, prior to going abroad. This will allow you to get your things moved in and a bit settled prior to departure.

If you are not able to move into your permanent room assignment prior to going abroad, your things will be stored safely, and you will be able to move in upon return.

If you are not planning to live on campus during the academic year, you will still stay in a residence hall for one night during pre-departure orientation.

Will I miss Welcome Week?

No. You will return to campus prior to the start of Welcome Week. If you will live on campus, your things will already be in a residence hall. You will be able, and expected, to participate in Welcome Week.

Will I miss classes on campus during fall semester?

No. You will be back at UMTC in time for Welcome Week and to start the fall semester with all other UMTC students. You will continue on-campus class with your Gopher Gateway cohort, that will be part of your fall class schedule.

Is the pre-departure orientation mandatory?

Yes. You are required to attend the in-person pre-departure orientation in Minneapolis to participate in a Gopher Gateway program. Students will come to campus and stay for one night before departing for their study abroad program. More information on when/where the pre-departure orientation will be held will be provided to confirmed students.

There will be additional virtual pre-departure orientations during the summer prior to the in-person orientation.

Can parents attend the pre-departure orientation?

There will be optional online session during Summer 2026.  During the on-campus pre-departure orientation parents will be invited to join the large group portion (optional), and there will also be an optional one-hour in-person session for parents. A zoom option during that session will be available for those interested in attending, but not able to attend in-person.

Can I arrive late or depart early from the program?

No. Your flight cost is included in your billed Program Fee so you must travel on the designated group flight to and from the program.

How are flights arranged?

For all programs, group flights will be arranged by the Learning Abroad Center and billed to you as part of your Program Fee. Students will travel to the airport together, and to their program destinations on the same flight along with the Program Leader and a LAC staff member.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. Travel outside of the U.S. will require that you have a passport. If you do not already have a passport, apply for one immediately. If you have a passport, ensure that the passport will be valid at least 6 months after the end date of your program abroad. Be sure to apply for your passport no later than June 1 to ensure you receive your passport in time.

Applying for a Passport

You can apply for a passport and have passport and visa photos taken at the UofM Passport Office located in the University International Center on the East Bank. You can find other locations using the U.S. State Department's Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page. First-time applicants should follow the instructions listed on the U.S. State Department's How to Apply for a Passport. Applicants must bring their completed application, photos, required documents, and forms of payment to apply.

Will I have insurance?

Yes. All UMTC students who study abroad are enrolled in the University of Minnesota’s international medical, security, and evacuation insurance policy through On Call International. You should also retain your U.S. medical insurance, and could choose to purchase additional travel insurance.

What if I need accommodations while abroad?

Once you have confirmed your enrollment with UMTC, and have a UMN email address, you can begin registration with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). We encourage students to get in touch with the DRC as soon as possible if you think you might need accommodations abroad.

For options in getting registered with the DRC, visit their Get Connected page. Review the two options (Maroon and Gold). The Maroon path is best for students who only want to explore specific accommodations, and already have documentation. The Gold option involves meeting with an access consultant.

Generally, for learning abroad students, the DRC recommends the Gold path, but the Maroon path may be possible for some students.

Who will help me if something goes wrong on-site? What resources will I have to support me on-site?

You will travel with a program leader who is a faculty or staff member at the University of Minnesota. Once you arrive on-site in your host country, you will also meet a team of on-site staff that will support the daily activities of the program. The program leader and/or an on-site staff member will accompany you on all program related activities and excursions. You will also be provided with a locally based 24 hour emergency contact number that you can reach out to in your free time if you need immediate support or assistance.

All students will automatically be registered for the University of Minnesota’s international medical, security, and evacuation insurance policy through On Call Internationa l(OCI). OCI provides additional support for medical and mental health needs, as well as security and emergency evacuation services. OCI has 24/7 support via phone, text, email, and live chat.

Both before departure and after arrival, you will be briefed on a variety of health and safety related topics, resources, and contacts available to you while you are abroad.

We encourage you to share the resources provided by the Learning Abroad Center with parents or family members. Parents and family members are also welcome to contact the Learning Abroad Center for information or guidance, but please be aware of FERPA regulations that impact the amount of individual information that can be shared about students over the age of 18.