Academic Planning Recommendations
- Consider intensive language study programs in Hebrew and other languages that encourage language immersion.
- Consult with the Jewish Studies Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Learning Abroad Center to choose courses and programs that will fulfill requirements or offer credit toward your degree.
Liberal Education Requirements
Search the U Credit Abroad Search. You may also submit any liberal education course not yet evaluated for approval online.
Major and Minor Requirements
- JWST 1034/3034 is ideally completed prior to studying abroad as an equivalent course is typically not offered through study abroad programs. Completing this introductory course prior to study abroad will enhance your experience abroad and give you a broader context for your course selections abroad.
- With the consultation of an appropriate faculty member, you can use research completed abroad as the basis for your senior project.
- Internships abroad can also offer research experience that can be used for a senior project in consultation with a faculty adviser.
- Jewish studies courses abroad may not meet Jewish Studies requirements at the University of Minnesota. It is important to work with your academic adviser to obtain approval once you are admitted to the Jewish Studies major or minor.
Receiving Credit for Hebrew Language Courses Taken Abroad
- Before going abroad, consult with Dr. Renana Schneller – Director of Hebrew Language Instruction, Department of Classical and Near Eastern Religions and Cultures to inquire if Hebrew language course(s) taken abroad will meet Hebrew language requirements.
- When taking language coursework abroad, you will work with the program to determine your Hebrew language course level. This may involve a written placement exam, oral exam, and/or writing sample. Keep in mind that you cannot receive credit for a class that duplicates what you have already taken on campus.
- If you are not satisfied with the level in which you have placed, notify the on-site staff, Dr. Schneller, and your Learning Abroad Center program adviser immediately.
- As soon as you return from learning abroad, consult with Dr. Schneller to:
- determine when a Hebrew placement exam and an oral proficiency interview will be conductes
- discuss appropriate placement into your next Hebrew language course (if applicable)
- Once your Hebrew language from abroad has been posted to your UofM transcript, you will need to circle back to Dr. Schneller to request an update to your Academic Progress Audit System (APAS) to reflect what will count toward Hebrew language requirements. Dr. Schneller will work with the College of Liberal Arts to have your APAS updated.
College of Liberal Arts Language Requirement
Courses taken abroad for the CLA Language Requirement (for BA degrees) must be at least 4 credits. CLA college advisers can approve courses that are clearly identified in a syllabus or online course description as first-, second-, third-, or fourth-semester language courses. If a course level is not explicitly stated, you must work with your CLA adviser to have the course evaluated by the appropriate language department. Advisers cannot approve these courses.
Who will advise me and help me with course approvals?
Learning Abroad Center advisers can help you find program and course information to help you prepare for your study abroad academic planning discussion with your academic adviser. Once you have narrowed down your program options meet with Natan Paradise (Director of Undergraduate Studies) to use the Academic Planning for Study Abroad (APSA) form to structure your academic planning.
College/Department Scholarships for UofM Students
- CLA students can apply for CLA Study Abroad Scholarships in addition to other Learning Abroad Center scholarships.
- The Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem offers merit-based scholarships.
- The Center for Jewish Studies offers the possibility of additional scholarship assistance for majors and minors in Jewish Studies. Consult with Natan Paradise (Director of Undergraduate Studies).
Programs
Israel
University Study in Israel: Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Study in Jerusalem, a city sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Instruction is in English; Hebrew and Arabic language courses are also available
- Coursework available in Jewish History, Civilization & Education; Israel Studies; Middle East & Islamic Studies; Religious Studies; Political Science and more
- Fall or spring semester, academic year, or summer. Summer offers coursework during either July or August sessions.
- Spring in Jerusalem—Honors Program is offered in the spring semester. Combines language study, research, and advanced coursework. Includes study tours and additional lectures. Available to outstanding students on a competitive basis.
Argentina
Argentine Universities Program (available through IFSA Argentina)
- Study in Buenos Aires, and participate in a directed research concentration program.
- Argentina's Jewish population is by far the largest Jewish community in all of Latin America and is the fifth largest in the world.
- Students may replace one to two integrated university courses in the Traditional Concentration with a 6-credit Directed Research Project focusing on social problem analysis.
- 5 semesters of university-level Spanish or equivalent. All courses taught in Spanish by an Argentine professor.
Czech Republic
- Use Prague’s incomparable Jewish resources as a launchpad for exploration, embark on a provocative journey of academic inquiry and personal reflection as you explore the rich history, culture and literature of the Jews in Central and Eastern Europe.
- Choose between three tracks—Business & Economics, Central European Studies, or Jewish Studies—to guide your semester.
United Kingdom
The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London (available through IFSA United Kingdom)
- A variety of languages are offered such as Hebrew (modern and ancient), Pashto, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi and Yoruba.
- Unique course offerings including religious studies, literature, anthropology, music, ethnology, and art history.
- SOAS presents a unique opportunity to study Hebrew and Israeli Studies against the wider geographical, historical and cultural background of the Middle East.
University College London (available through IFSA United Kingdom)
- Hebrew and Jewish Studies (HJS) at UCL offers classes in languages (Hebrew, Yiddish, and languages of the ancient Near East)
- Courses taught available in Jewish/Israeli history, literature and politics, taught by staff who are world-class experts in their respective areas of Jewish studies.
- University College London houses the largest department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies in Europe
- 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.