Learning Abroad Center

Learning Abroad in Elementary Education Foundations

“Cultural competence has become a critical component to enhance a teacher's ability to connect with their students.”

Tom Pederstuen, Director of Human Resources, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District

Department Recommendations

In order to take courses in your Elementary Education Foundations major you will need to plan ahead with your adviser.

Elementary Education Foundation Program Guidelines

  • Ask a CEHD Student Services adviser for updates
  • Studying abroad and experiencing another culture is highly recommended for students preparing for a career in elementary education

When to go abroad

  • The best time to study abroad is during a semester when you are not in a practicum experience. For most students, this will be the first semester of the junior year or the first semester of the senior year. If you want to study abroad during a different semester, work with your college adviser to develop an alternate plan for completing your practicum experiences and associated coursework. However, an exception to this rule is the Education in France program. Students are able to complete their education at a French elementary school with kids learning English.
  • During freshman and sophomore year, taking courses to fulfill liberal education requirements on winter break, May, and summer sessions may be your best option. You may also be able to study abroad for a full semester during this time.

Fulfilling program requirements

  • Study abroad is a perfect time to study a second language or to take courses that are especially relevant to your study abroad location. Planning to take several of your elective classes during your study abroad experience will give you maximum flexibility in choosing courses. You may, with prior approval, also be able to take some required courses abroad, including linguistics, physics, human geography, or arts courses. Work with your CEHD adviser to get approval for courses prior to applying
  • All courses with a CI, EDHD, MTHE, or EPSY designator must be taken at the U; these courses cannot be taken abroad. However, an exception to this rule is the Education in France program. Students earn credit for CI 3211 and 3212 (Intro to Teaching and Education).

Liberal education requirements

  • If you have liberal education requirements left to fulfill, you can also complete those abroad. View approved courses or submit a course for approval using the U Credit Abroad Search.

Some desired learning outcomes

As you consider your academic and career plans, think about ways in which study abroad can add to your skills and experiences.

  • Work on a second language. Intensive language study in an immersion environment can provide you with language skills, and first-hand experience in language acquisition can help you work with children at various stages of language development
  • Different nations and cultures have very different practical expectations for their children. A study abroad experience can add breadth to your repertoire of skills and understanding
  • Gain internship or research experience. Many study abroad programs include opportunities for practical, applied learning experiences. Look for these sorts of experiences in programs that offer internship, community engagement, or research opportunities
  • Observing classrooms, both here and across the world, offers you the opportunity to develop reflective practices, enhancing professional growth

Map your academic plan with your CEHD Student Services advisers

  • As soon as you have chosen a study abroad program, use an Academic Planning for Study Abroad (APSA) Form to facilitate a discussion with your adviser
  • Look for courses abroad that will fulfill your major and/or UMTC Liberal Education requirements
  • Be sure to meet with your adviser at least three months prior to departing for your program
  • Once you have chosen the courses that you want to take abroad (always choose more courses than you intend to take in case of cancellations or time conflicts), have descriptions for those courses (available on the Learning Abroad Center or affiliate website), and have begun filling out the APSA, you will meet with your adviser
  • To complete the APSA process you will also need a signature from a college adviser. Students who are not yet admitted to the College of Education may still visit with a CEHD adviser to plan study abroad. Contact a CEHD adviser at 612.625.3339 or [email protected]

College/Department Scholarships for UofM Students

Programs

Africa & the Middle East

Senegal

MSID—International Development in Senegal

  • Program focuses on international development in the context of Senegal through coursework in the first half of the semester and an internship in the latter half
  • Participate on the Education & Literacy academic track, as part of the International Development course, which will focus your studies and help prepare you for your internship.
  • Students will analyze the educational system, government policy, and impact on local educational structures, the disparities in access to education, and the relationship between education and development.
  • Past internship placements include teaching in the schools, youth projects, women’s groups, orphanages, health clinics, community centers, and many more.
Americas

Costa Rica

Universidad Nacional de Heredia, Costa Rica (available through IFSA Costa Rica)

  • Offers students the opportunity to take integrated courses in a variety of areas
  • Students may also pair up with Costa Rican students to volunteer at a local primary school every week

Ecuador

MSID—International Development in Ecuador

  • Program focuses on international development in the context of Ecuador through coursework in the first half of the semester and an internship in the latter half
  • Participate on the Education & Literacy academic track, as part of the International Development course, which will focus your studies and help prepare you for your internship.
  • Students will analyze the educational system, government policy, and impact on local educational structures, the disparities in access to education, and the relationship between education and development.
  • Past internship placements include teaching in the schools, youth projects, women’s groups, orphanages, health clinics, community centers, and many more.
Asia & Oceania

Australia

Flinders University (available through IFSA Australia)

  • University is tied to community involvement and has many partnerships around the world

Griffith University at Gold Coast (available through IFSA Australia)

  • Pursues a wide variety of research opportunities and strives to further internationalization

University of Wollongong (available through IFSA Australia)

  • A highly respected university with international students making up 30 percent of the student population. It was named University of the Year two times in a row for its research efforts and consistent graduate success

Study & Intern in Sydney

  • Gain hands-on experience through an internship in a school
  • Semester students take classes in anthropology, business, cinema, communications, sociology, and other subjects
  • Summer students are offered a full-time internship placement for six credits

Thailand

MSID—International Development in Thailand

  • Based in Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • Participate on the Education & Literacy academic track, as part of the International Development course, which will focus your studies and help prepare you for your internship.
  • Students will analyze the educational system, government policy, and impact on local educational structures, the disparities in access to education, and the relationship between education and development.
  • Past internship placements include teaching in the schools, youth projects, women’s groups, orphanages, health clinics, community centers, and many more.
  • Instruction is in English; no prior Thai required
Europe

Denmark

In the Field: Teaching & Learning in Danish Schools & Communities

  • Abroad May Term in Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Gain firsthand experience in Danish schools by observing classrooms, participating in field studies, and hearing from local educators.
  • Develop a greater understanding of Danish communities through exploring lively cultural centers.
  • This program is led by Kathy Seifert, senior lecturer and Director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Educational Psychology

Study Abroad in Denmark and Summer in Denmark & Sweden

  • Examine Danish approaches to child development and education
  • Combines theory with a supervised practicum experience in a daycare center, early education institution or after school program
  • Summer program offers 3, 6, or 10-week programs with courses such as Children with Special Needs, Children in a Multicultural Context, and Cross-cultural psychology

France

Education in France

  • Complete your teaching practicum at a French elementary school with kids learning English
  • Earn credit for CI 3211 and 3212 (Intro to Teaching and Teaching Practicum)
  • Language Learning in Cross-Cultural Perspective, Directed Research, Comparative Education and Pedagogy as well as humanities and business courses in English are also offered
  • Fulfill Liberal Education requirements
  • Begin or continue your study of French in the French for Educators course
  • Courses pre-approved for UofM credits and UofM degree requirements
  • No language prerequisite. Coursework in English
  • Additional information about the program including videos of student experiences

Spain

Study & Intern in Toledo

  • Excellent program for students also completing a Spanish minor with upper-division Spanish courses as well as courses on the history and culture of Spain
  • Community engagement course with a focus on the immigrant experience in Spain
  • Internship course with past placements at social service, organizations, the Toledo Regional Parliament, and with government programs that work with teenagers

United Kingdom

Study & Intern in London

  • With an internship in an urban school, you will have the opportunity to interact with students as a classroom assistant and receive guidance from the local teachers
  • Sample courses include: Child Development in a British context, Childhood's Books, in addition to courses in history, literature, theatre, and many other subjects
  • Community engagement course also offered

University of Leeds (available through IFSA United Kingdom)

  • One the largest and most well-respected universities in the UK. It is also one of the most popular universities in the country

University College London (available through IFSA United Kingdom)

  • Has a long tradition of academic excellence and international student acceptance and is the largest college in the University of London system
Additional Options to Consider

LAC Global Seminars

  • 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.

LAC Freshman Seminars

  • 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.

Additional LAC Seminars

  • 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.

Intensive Language Programs

  • 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.