Learning Abroad in Geography

Firsthand geographical learning through experiences in diverse parts of the world is a valuable ingredient in the formation of an educated person in our globalizing world. Learning abroad is designed to provide you with these experiences. Whether your area of emphasis is on culture, the environment, GIS, or some combination, learning abroad can enrich your educational experiences. You will understand your own cultural area better for having shared in and with another. Learning abroad will help you understand the discipline of geography more thoroughly, because like many other disciplines, it originated outside of the United States and is continually influenced by ideas and methodologies from all over the world.

Academic Planning

When should I go abroad?

• There is no “best” time for everyone. It depends both on the individual student and on the type of education abroad experience.
• Introductory short-term programs and language study can be great as freshmen or sophomores. This gives you time to follow up with a longer-term experience abroad before you graduate.
• For semester or full-year programs the sophomore or junior year tend to be best on the whole.
• Senior-year study abroad may require additional planning. When are graduate school applications due? Do you need to take exams given only at particular times of year, or only in the US? Will the grades from your study abroad arrive in time for graduation? Is there any danger that the study abroad will impede timely completion of the major paper?

Choosing a program

• The department is especially partial to programs that get you into regular classes at a host university and programs where you can be out of the classroom and into the community
• Seek to study in a culture that contrasts with your own. The department encourages students to consider study in countries outside of Western Europe. There are programs that are appropriate for all focus areas within geography including physical geography, environmental studies, globalization and development, and culture and place.
• Learn about other traditions and perspectives in geography. See how geographers in another country view their discipline; choose a program where your professors are from the host country
• Look for opportunities to study how the geography of an area has affected its culture, environment, economy, and politics. Can you apply what you have learned in class here to understanding your new environment

How will a study abroad program fulfill my Geography major requirements?

• The departmental adviser will screen courses you plan to take abroad and help you fit appropriate courses into your major requirements.
• Courses must have significant geographical content, although they need not be listed under Geography (other departments have included history). For exact course substitutions to fulfill requirements (Geography 1301, 3401, 3371, 3561, 4001, 4002) the course needs to be equivalent.
• It may be easier to apply study abroad courses to your track electives or to liberal education requirement (see below)
• For pre-approval of a course taken abroad, provide a syllabus (or at least a good course description) to the geography adviser for review at least a month before departure
• Only courses accepted by the University of Minnesota at the upper division level can count toward the major.
• Internships abroad might apply toward the elective component of the major, but the academic documentation must be persuasive. Although the department encourages internships, you may be able to use them only toward elective credit outside the major. Your chances of counting the credit in your major will improve if you work with the Geography adviser before departure.

Conduct fieldwork for your senior project

• With the consultation of an appropriate faculty member who will act as your senior project adviser, you may be able to use fieldwork as the basis for your senior project; however, the actual senior project must be completed for 2-4 credits once you return to the University.
• You may be able to pursue independent research, research through an internship or volunteer opportunity, or research through your study program. Use the Learning Abroad Center program search to identify study abroad programs that include these kinds of opportunities.

Fulfill liberal education requirements

• Consult the U Credit Abroad Search for classes that have been approved for Liberal Education. If a course is not listed, it may still meet a liberal education requirement. We encourage you to submit your course(s) for evaluation.

College/Department Scholarships for UofM Students

• CLA students can apply for CLA Study Abroad Scholarships in addition to other Learning Abroad Center scholarships.

Programs

The Department of Geography has identified the following programs as examples of options of potential interest to its majors and minors. These are for illustration only, and you need not confine your search to those on the list.