Choosing a Program

• What is your intended major or areas of emphasis, and do you want to earn credits towards those while abroad?
• Do you have another interest or a complementary subject area that you want to focus on?
• Do you have a senior project, honors paper, or second language requirement you could work on abroad?
• Do you want to study one topic intensively or take a variety of courses?

• Do you learn better in the classroom or in the field?
• Do you like independent or guided learning?
• Are you able to adapt to different styles of learning?

• How do you want your experience abroad to impact your career and professional development? 
• What skills do you want to develop while abroad that are important in your intended field? 
• How important is an internship?
• Does your internship abroad need to be in English, or do you have the language skills to do an immersed internship?
• What activities abroad will help your graduate school applications or make your resume stand out?

• Are you interested in a region of the world or a specific country?
• Is there something happening in the world today that you want to learn more about?
• Is there a political system that intrigues you?

• Do you want to explore family roots?
• Do you want to live in your home country?
• Are there historical or current factors in places around the world that may impact your experience there?

Study Center Programs

Most time is spent living and taking classes with other students on the program. The buildings in which students take coursework may or may not be on a university campus and often are located in city centers. Buildings generally have computer rooms, classrooms, staff offices, and a small library. Coursework often will take advantage of the location and be experience based. For instance, a history class will meet at important historical sites. Many such programs combine customized courses with opportunities for field study, internships, and/or the option of taking some classes in a host-country university. Study center programs are good for students who want extra support or may not know the language of the host country well enough to enroll at a local university.

Host University Study Programs

Most time is spent living and taking classes at a local university with students and faculty from the host country much like an international student coming to the University of Minnesota. Students are expected to perform at the same level as local students, often in a more independent educational system. Some programs consist entirely of such study, whereas others combine it with special courses aimed at non-native students. Institutions abroad will offer different courses, theoretical perspectives, and/or methodologies from the University of Minnesota.

Exchange

A type of study abroad program where you trade places, attending the other's institution. Exchange programs often demand a high level of independence, and you must be able to deal with a high level of ambiguity at times. Deadlines are earlier than other program types, often a year before departure.

Instructor-Led

Programs led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff, including LAC Seminars (Global Seminars, Freshman Seminars Abroad) and College/Departmental programs.

Global Seminars

A type of U-Led program where a UofM faculty member or staff leads a group of students abroad for a winter break or May session. Global Seminars consist of one 3-credit class and are approximately 3 weeks in length. Locations and coursework vary each year.

Gopher Gateway

Incoming UMTC first-year students choose a Gopher Gateway learning abroad program to study abroad before fall semester begins

Embedded

Programs with coursework on campus before and/or after the period you spend abroad.

Internship Abroad

Programs combine coursework with internship placements in order to grant academic credit. Internships are unpaid but credit-bearing. Internship placements vary with many fields being represented.

Community Engagement

Community engagement provides direct experience applying content, ideas, and issues discussed in a class through volunteering at a community organization. Students support the organization and its goals, and the organization gives students the opportunity to serve the community and develop professional skills and contacts. Structured reflection on the experience is an essential component of a community engagement program.

Research Abroad

Programs include the option of coursework with research opportunities, as part of a comprehensive study abroad program in order to deepen student learning and develop solid investigative skills. A number of these programs qualify for the International Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) available to University of Minnesota Twin Cities students.

Language Intensive

Programs that offer the equivalent of one or more semesters of language during a short-term program or either a full semester of beginning or intermediate language (1st-4th semester) during a short-term program, or two or more semesters of beginning or intermediate language during a semester or summer program.

Apartment

Living in an apartment allows more independence for students. In most apartments, students either have their own room or share with another student on the program. Students cook for themselves using the kitchen facilities provided.

Residence Hall or Dormitory

Residence halls and dormitories tend to be on or near campus and have facilities nearby such as cafeterias and laundry. Dormitory living also allows students to meet host country and other international students. Some dormitories have shared kitchen facilities and others offer a meal plan or require students to purchase food locally.

Homestay

Living with a family in another country can be one of the highlights of an international experience. It is an opportunity to experience the daily life of the host country from a firsthand perspective and to develop lifelong ties to the host family. It is also a good way to learn another language. Most students have their own room or share a room with another program participant. Generally, one or more meals each day are taken with the family.

Hotel

Many instructor-led programs utilize hotels for lodging given the shorter nature of the program. Most students share a room with another student participant. 

Learning Abroad Center Programs

These study abroad experiences are developed, administered and evaluated by the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities Learning Abroad Center. Non-University of Minnesota students may also apply to most of these programs.

Affiliated

These programs are administered by other institutions/organizations and approved by the University of Minnesota. Students will receive support and services from the Learning Abroad Center, and credits will be posted as resident credit. Students will also work directly with the affiliate. On-site support and staff are from the affiliate organization, not the University of Minnesota. Non-promoted affiliate programs are not included on our website, but are available and approved for UofM students.  

UMTC College & Department

Programs developed and administered by faculty and staff from colleges and departments at the University of Minnesota. These include short-term instructor-led programs, exchanges, and some affiliate programs.

Crookston, Duluth, Morris, & Rochester UofM Campuses

These study abroad experiences are developed, administered, and evaluated by one of the other University of Minnesota campuses: Duluth, Morris, Crookston, and Rochester. UMTC students will work directly with the appropriate office on the campus that sponsors the program and the Learning Abroad Center for different aspects of registration, billing, financial aid, and scholarships.

Non-affiliated 

Non-affiliated study abroad programs are those that have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota. These programs are not eligible for financial aid through the UofM and may require that you take a leave of absence. Participation in a non-affiliated program is done without the support of the University and is not recommended.