“Beyond gaining an international perspective, the process of planning for study abroad gives the student valuable experience.”
David Smith, Nutrition Program Chair
Nonaffiliated Programs
CFANS 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. CFANS will not support or approve student participation in nonaffiliated programs.
Programs
Africa & 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.
- Botswana is a country with political freedom that ensures that frank and intense debates occur on a regular basis concerned with issues related to economic, social and political development.
- The University of Botswana is widely known for African studies, environmental science, humanities and social sciences.
- 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.
- ISEP students can also take advantage of local language classes, volunteering, independent study & research opportunities as well as excursions planned for ISEP students.
- ISEP students studying in Ghana thrive in fields such as African studies, business, geography and resource development, agriculture, social sciences and public health.
- English is the official language of Ghana and instruction is in English.
- Fall semester, spring semester, or academic year.
Senegal
MSID—International Development in Senegal
- Program type: Field Study
- Academic program built around grassroots development internships. Homestays and research further enrich cultural immersion.
- Past internship placements include social work agencies, youth projects, ethnographic research, women’s groups, orphanages, health clinics, literacy projects, community centers, many more.
- Instruction is in French. Fall or Spring semester.
South Africa
University of Cape Town (offered through IES South Africa)
- Program type: University Study
- Post-Apartheid South Africa is attempting one of history’s most dramatic transformations in race relations; yet class inequality remains vexing even as racial inequality begins to diminish.
- UCT and UKN are both strong in African archaeology, history, literature, political science, sociology; UCT also in religious studies and African languages, UKN in art history and geography.
- Instruction is in English; no prior study of an African language us required. Fall or spring semester, academic or calendar year.)
Americas
Ecuador
MSID—International Development in Ecuador
- Program type: Field Study
- Academic program built around grassroots development internships, which can be in Afro-Ecuadorian communities. Homestays and research further enrich cultural immersion.
- Past internship placements include rural women’s empowerment, literacy, public health/nutrition, sustainable agriculture, community environmental conservation, fishing or handicraft cooperatives.
- Instruction is in Spanish. Fall or Spring semester.
Europe
France
IES France—Paris French Studies
- Program type: Study Abroad Center (plus University Study)
- Language and area studies program whose course offerings include some on the Francophone world. Also available: internships and courses in Paris universities.
- Sample courses: The Maghreb & Arab World; Francophone Paris; France & Francophone Africa; Contemporary France; Gender Relations in the Francophone World.
- Instruction is in French; two years prior college language study required. Fall semester, spring semester, or academic year.
Language & Culture in Southern France
- Program type: University Study and Study Abroad Center (two tracks)
- UofM program in Montpellier, a city with large West and North African immigrant populations. Permits a mix of center courses, regular Université Paul Valéry courses, and internships.
- Students in the University Study track may also take language and culture courses from the Center track; these include some civilization and culture courses, although no courses on Africa.
- Instruction is in French; one year French prerequisite for center track, two for university study track. Fall or spring semester, academic year, or a summer intensive language program.
United Kingdom
University Study in the UK: Queen Mary University of London
- Program type: University Study
- QM’s academic departments, library, students’ union, and administrative buildings are all on one campus in the multicultural East End, making it unique among the traditional London colleges.
- Most remarkable about Queen Mary is the extraordinary diversity of both the campus and the surrounding East End community, which include many people with African or West Indian roots.
- Academic year (summer also available through IFSA United Kingdom).
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London (available through IFSA United Kingdom)
- Program type: University Study
- Located in the heart of London, SOAS was founded in 1916, at the height of the British Empire, and has become one of the worlds’ great centers of expertise on Africa/Asia/Middle East.
- Many departments offer African courses, including Anthropology, Art/Archeology, Economics, History, Music, Languages/Cultures (7 African languages taught), Law, Political Studies.
- Fall semester, spring semester, or academic year.
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.