Department Recommendations
Prospective Product Design Students
Product design courses abroad may not meet Product design course requirements at the University of Minnesota. Your academic adviser will work with the product design faculty to help you try to obtain approval once you are admitted to the program.
Best Times to Go Abroad
Consult your four year plan for the best time to study abroad.
Fulfill Requirements
Be sure to meet with your academic adviser to fill out an Academic Planning Form.
Core Major Courses
Your academic adviser will be able to approve the courses prior to departure. Work with your academic adviser to fill out the Academic Planning Form.
Internships
Credit-based internships abroad are available. Check with your academic adviser for more information about requirements.
Liberal Education
You can fulfill liberal education requirements while abroad. Decide early which requirements you want to satisfy through courses taken abroad so you don't fulfill them on campus. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's U Credit Abroad Search to find courses that have already been evaluated or submit courses online to be evaluated for liberal education requirements.
Some University of Minnesota courses are approved to meet two requirements. For example, one course may count toward your liberal education requirements AND meet a requirement in your major. Study abroad courses may not meet multiple requirements.
Upon Return from Study Abroad
Meet with your academic adviser to discuss the study abroad return process and to go over re-entry resources to help you make your learning abroad experience a meaningful component of your academic and career pathway.
Programs
Europe
Denmark
- Offered each fall and spring semester, as well as academic year
- Designed for students majoring in architecture, interior design, interior architecture, and, for pre-architecture, in fine arts or studio art
- Develop professional skills and knowledge through interaction with Danish architects and designers in studio, classes, and on field studies and study tours
- The following courses are approved for PDES electives: Furniture Design Studio, Danish Design, Furniture Design Workshop, New Nordic Design
- No language prerequisite
- Offered summer session in Copenhagen
- Designed for students majoring in architecture, interior design, interior architecture, and, for pre-architecture, in fine arts or studio art
- Develop professional skills and knowledge through interaction with Danish architects and designers in studio, classes, and on field studies and study tours
- The following courses are approved for PDES electives: Furniture Design Studio, Danish Design, Furniture Design Workshop, New Nordic Design
- No language prerequisite
Greece
Capturing Greece: Color, Light, & Form
- May Term 2026, Athens & Greek Islands, Greece; open to all students
- Immerse yourself in Greece’s unique cultural environment to expand your vision and creativity. Travel to Athens and Tinos to observe and experience water, stone, and structure in a fresh way
- You will explore ancient architectural forms, uniquely evolved historic villages, and references to mythological and symbolic imagery
- This program is led by Frances (Fancy) Trice is the Graphic Design Program Director in the College of Design, and is approved for the Arts & Humanities Liberal Education Core
- Consult with your academic adviser to see if this program will meet major or minor degree requirements
Italy
- The Design in Sicily is a 7-week program offered in Siracusa, Italy during Summer Session. A College of Design instructor accompanies the program and teaches a 3-credit studio course open to all students. Earn 6–7 credits as you make Sicily your classroom. Consult with your academic adviser to see if this program will meet major or minor degree requirements
- Engage in the design process with local and international designers through coursework and a collaborative practicum
- Create visual projects in response to your Italian experience, honing your own sensibilities as a designer in the rich visual culture of Italy
- Engage with the theme of how meaning is created through both the still and the moving image, and you will engage in hands-on explorations through a variety of forms of visual representation including drawing from observation and imagination, illustration, photography, video, and collage
The Netherlands
Dutch by Design: Innovation in the Netherlands
- May Term 2026: Travel to The Hague, Delft, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Tilburg, and Gouda, Netherlands via via bike, tram, and train to experience how design is embedded into all aspects of life.
- Participate in a team project working with students at either TU Delft or TU Eindhoven. This will be an early-stage design challenge asking students to research, ideate, and design concepts for a given prompt.
- Visit with local businesses and companies, Kinderboerderij (children's city farm) and Haagse Bos (forest), tour Rotterdam’s architecture, visit local markets, and take an overnight trip to Efteling (theme park).
- Receive credit for PDES 3790.
United Kingdom, England
- Offered each fall semester, spring semester, and summer
- Design internships are available
- Classes will not meet PDES requirements but could be taken for LibEds or other electives
Additional Options to Consider
- 3-week, 3-credit programs at the 3000-level led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff over winter break or May session.
- Explore an exciting location and topic, Fulfill Liberal Education requirements, or earn major/minor credit.
- Combine on-campus instruction during the spring semester with a study abroad component during spring break, on a 3 credits, 1xxx level Seminar.
- Freshman Seminars Abroad are designed specifically for first-year students as an introduction to study abroad, an opportunity to explore an exciting location and topic, and likely fulfill a liberal education requirement.
- Check out additional LAC Instructor-led Seminars that might run over winter break, spring break, May, and summer sessions. They vary in length, dates, and content so students can find one that best fits their academic and professional goals.
- Begin your language study or work toward completing requirements for a language minor.
- Complete a semester of language on a short-term program or explore options to complete two or more semesters of language on semester-long program.