Learning Abroad Center

Learning Abroad in Human Resource Development

"Most organizations today value intercultural competence, diversity and inclusion, and having a global mindset. Human Resource Development, with its focus on organizational and individual learning and development, has a worldwide reach in developing, transitioning, and established economies all alike. For HRD students, one advantage of studying abroad is that it allows the opportunity to attain the knowledge necessary to meet these demands through an immersive experience with different languages, people, and cultures.”

Joshua Collins, Associate Professor, Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development

Human Resource Development Recommendations

Map your academic plan with your departmental or academic adviser

  • 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 advisers.
  • Students should be aware that they will need to obtain signatures from two advisers: first from the OLPD major adviser and second, the CEHD Student Services adviser
  • To meet with your OLPD adviser, you can schedule an appointment online or by contacting the department at [email protected]. To meet with your CEHD Student Services adviser, schedule an appointment by calling 612.625.3339.

Fulfill Academic Requirements

Liberal Education

  • You can fulfill liberal education requirements while abroad. Consult the U Credit Abroad Search for more information.

Major Requirements

  • Generally speaking, OLPD core courses for HRD rarely have equivalent courses found abroad. If you believe a course you are taking abroad is equivalent to one of your major courses, please consult your OLPD major adviser or contact [email protected].

OLPD 4696—Applied Experience: Human Resource Development

  • While an active HRD student, you may fulfill your HRD Applied Experience (OLPD 4696 requirement) by completing an approved internship abroad. Students must complete 4 credits of an internship for HRD; any internship that is fewer than 4 credits will require an additional internship to complete the requirement.
  • The internship must involve HRD-related activities focused around:
    • Training and development activities: conducting needs assessments, developing training programs, designing training materials, implementing training, and evaluating it.
    • Organization development activities: team building, coaching, assessment of organizational culture (including that which occurs as a result of mergers and acquisitions), engagement in diversity initiatives, or any activity designed to enhance capacity at the individual, group,or organizational level.
  • Students should consult their program contact regarding internships in each location.
  • Students completing their HRD Applied Experience abroad are permitted to complete the Applied Experience prerequisites, including OLPD 3609: Profession and Practice, after they have completed their internship abroad.

Supporting Program Credits

  • You may fulfill some or all of your HRD Supporting Program if your selected coursework is aligned with your designated Supporting Program theme. This can be determined in consultation with your OLPD adviser.

Financing Learning Abroad

Many abroad opportunities cost, on average, the same as what you will pay for a semester at the University of Minnesota. Do not let the fear that you cannot afford to study abroad keep you from exploring it as an educational opportunity. Learn more about how to finance your experience abroad by checking out these helpful resources.

Study Abroad Scholarships

Nonaffiliated Programs

CEHD strongly encourages students to participate in UofM-sponsored or affiliated programs, which have been vetted and approved by the Learning Abroad Center or another unit on campus. The UofM has close working relationships with hundreds of affiliated programs that are high quality in terms of academic standards, housing, cultural immersion, health and safety and administrative support services. CEHD encourages you to choose program options found on the Learning Abroad Center website. Occasionally CEHD students inquire about nonaffiliated programs, approval and support for nonaffiliated programs is highly unlikely.

Programs

Africa and the Middle East

Botswana

University of Botswana (offered through ISEP Botswana)

  • Located in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana and has a student body of 18,000.
  • The university is a comprehensive institution offering courses in both the liberal arts and sciences and a number of professional programs, including business, education, engineering and medicine.
  • A variety of courses are available in business management, entrepreneurship, and human resources management.
  • Instruction is in English; no prior study of an African language is required. Fall semester, spring semester, or academic year.

Ghana

University of Ghana (available through ISEP Ghana)

  • Comprehensive university on the outskirts of the capital, Accra, one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa.
  • Course offerings in business include human resource management, human behavior in organizations, economics, entrepreneurship, and business finance.
  • English is the official language and instruction is in English.
  • Fall semester, spring semester, or academic year.

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 project in the latter half.
  • Work with on-site staff to integrate HRD related issues to fulfill internship requirements (see above).
  • Instruction is in French; minimum 4 levels of college level French required. Wolof and advanced French language offered.

Americas

Argentina

Study & Intern in Buenos Aires

  • Study language and culture in Buenos Aires--the political and economic heart of Argentina. Students can take a breadth of courses in economics and Argentine history while enhancing their experience through community engagement opportunities.
  • No language prerequisite; Courses available in English including “The Global Economy” and “International Marketing.”

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 project in the latter half.
  • Work with on-site staff to integrate HRD related issues to fulfill internship requirements (see above).
  • Instruction is in Spanish; 4 semesters of college-level Spanish is required.

Asia and Oceania

Australia

Study & Internships in Sydney 

  • Offers a 6 credit professional internship placement along with coursework in the humanities, social sciences, and business.
  • Past internships have included Trace Personnel and Mondo Search (employee recruitment firms) in addition to small local businesses and multinational corporations.

University of Melbourne (available through IFSA Australia)

  • The University of Melbourne, known for its excellence in teaching and research, consistently ranks among the world’s top universities. Considered the “World’s Most Livable City,” Melbourne offers students both a metropolitan lifestyle while being just minutes away from vibrant beaches and abundant national parks.
  • Offers a wide variety of courses that may work for your major, including international human resource management, business and management writing, managerial strategies in organizing work, and technical writing.

University Study in Australia: University of Sydney

  • University of Sydney is Australia's oldest and most prestigious university. It is ranked 38th in the world in the 2013 QS World Rankings and is consistently among the top three universities in Australia.
  • Courses are available in organizational management, talent management, and human resources through the Department of Work and Organizational Studies.
  • Modern laboratories, a brand new economics and business building, and internship opportunities are just a few of the highlights.

New Zealand

University Study in New Zealand: University of Otago

  • As New Zealand’s oldest University, the University of Otago offers students exceptional academics against the backdrop of New Zealand’s South Island. Dunedin is a welcoming college town with easy access to many outdoor and recreational activities including horseback riding, hiking, and skiing.
  • Courses of relevant interest are microeconomics, macroeconomics, human resource management, and communication skills.

Thailand

MSID-International Development in Thailand

  • Academic program built around grassroots development internships. Homestays and internship/research further enrich cultural immersion. Based in Chiang Mai, but with internship options outside the city.
  • Work with on-site staff to integrate HRD related issues to fulfill internship requirements (see above).
  • Instruction is in English; no prior Thai language is required.

Europe

Denmark

Study Abroad in Denmark—International Business

  • Develop solid knowledge of the European business environment through business visits and study tours as well as classes in economics, marketing, and business.
  • Program includes study tours within Denmark and other European countries.
  • No language prerequisite.

Germany

IES Berlin—Business Studies in Berlin

  • Courses are offered at the IES (International Education for Students) Center and the Berlin School of Economics in addition to German language courses.
  • Courses of interest include "Economics of Reprivatization in the New Europe" and "Business and Trade with Central and Eastern Europe."

Ireland

Study Abroad in Dublin

  • Take classes at University College Dublin including courses in Human Resource Management.
  • Internship sites will likely be with small start-up companies, so you can work closely with the employees and get a glimpse into the inner workings of a small business.

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.
  • A few business internships available. Internships placements will likely be with small local businesses within Toledo, so you can work closely with employees and deepen your Spanish language skills.
  • Four semesters of college-level Spanish required.

Study & Intern in Madrid

  • Take business-related coursework in addition to a variety of courses available on culture, history, and language.
  • Past internships have included 360cs (helps entrepreneurs develop business), MadridEasy (helps international students find housing) in addition to small local businesses and multinational corporations.

United Kingdom

Study & Intern in London

  • Offers a 3-credit or 6-credit credit professional internship placement along with coursework in the humanities, social sciences, and business. Students participating in internships are required to enroll in the Global Internship Program course.
  • Review the U Credit Abroad Search to view course equivalencies that have been approved for major requirements.
  • Past internships have included the Fitness First Health Club, Queens Park Rangers (a local football club), small local businesses, and multinational corporations.

University Study in the UK: Queen Mary, University of London

  • Queen Mary is located near the center of London, yet it maintains a strong sense of campus community.
  • Human resource development courses include theories of management, human resource management, and organizational behavior.

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.