Learning Abroad Center

Learning Abroad in Psychology

As a Psychology major, your studies abroad may or may not include formal study of psychology in the classroom. You’ll learn about human behavior and consider psychological theories both within and outside of your classes. Think broadly about what it means to study abroad as a psychology major!

Department Recommendations

Best Times to go Abroad

  • Junior Year: Fall, Spring or Full Year
  • Summer following Sophomore or Junior Year
  • Honors students: Sophomore year, Fall Junior Year

Fulfill Core Major Courses

  • The Department has started to use the U Credit Abroad Search to store major/minor requirements. Consider courses not available at UMNTC and related to your destination; check with Psychology Advising to see if courses from your program have already been approved
  • Prepare by completing research methods (PSY 3001W) prior to departure
  • Request evaluation of desired courses early in your planning by following Psychology Advising’s transfer course evaluation process.
  • Credit-bearing internships abroad can be applied toward the psychology major
  • Work with your psychology adviser to fill out the Academic Planning Study Abroad (APSA) form.

Fulfill Liberal Education Requirements

  • You can fulfill liberal education requirements while abroad. Decide early which requirements you want to satisfy through courses taken abroad so you don’t fulfill them on campus. Consult the Learning Abroad Center’s U Credit Abroad Search to find courses that have already been evaluated or submit courses online to be evaluated for liberal education requirements.

Study Psychology From a Different Cultural Perspective

  • Learn about the diverse theoretical orientations and approaches to psychology by enrolling in courses taught by professors from the host country
  • Select courses that are not offered at UMNTC and broaden your understanding of the discipline

Conduct Research Abroad

  • Conduct research under the direction of a psychology faculty member through Directed Study or through a Learning Abroad Center program. I-UROP funds are available for specific programs.
  • Working in a research lab prior to study abroad will help you better understand the research process and a particular research laboratory. Faculty members who know you and your work will more readily assist you in developing your own unique study-research abroad experience.
  • If you’re involved in a UMNTC psychology-related research lab, talk to the faculty director to learn about her/his international colleagues and the possibilities of your participation in research abroad.

Participate in Field Study/Internship and Experiential Learning Opportunities

  • Internships, Community Engagement, and Research
  • Consider a program that offers experience-based learning or add an internship to your program to further immerse yourself in the culture and community of your study abroad program.
  • Consult a psychology adviser to determine how to meet psychology requirements through your experience.

Develop or Improve Second Language Skills

College/Department Scholarships for UofM Students

Programs

Africa and the Middle East

Israel

University Study in Israel: Hebrew University of Jerusalem

  • Directly enroll in psychology courses at the Rothberg International School in the heart of Jerusalem.
  • Students on this program can participate in a faculty led research project while abroad on this program through the I-UROP Scholarship.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year, or summer.
  • Instruction at the Rothberg School is in English; no prior Hebrew is required. Students may also take regular courses in the larger university (many offered in English) in addition to courses through Rothberg.
  • 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.
  • Students accepted into the Spring in Jerusalem Honors Program receive a $4000 merit scholarship (in addition to the $6000 UMN student scholarship through Spring 2023) as part of their acceptance to the program - no additional application is required. Students do not need to be enrolled in the UMN Honors program in order to qualify for this scholarship - the requirement is a minimum of a 3.7 GPA.

South Africa

University of Cape Town (available through IES South Africa)

  • Take psychology courses and at least one Africa-specific course
  • Personalized volunteer opportunities
  • Intergroup prejudice and conflict theory program

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 ”Cross Cultural Psychology" and "The Paradox of Mental Health."

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 alongside host nationals on development projects or with agencies working in your area of interest

Asia and Oceania

Australia

Study & Intern in Sydney

  • Internship placements are available in many fields, including psychology
  • Take a variety of area studies courses
  • Strong fit for students interested in I-O psychology

University of Melbourne (available through IFSA Australia)

  • Live and study in Melbourne--the “World’s Most Livable City”--while taking classes at the University of Melbourne
  • Extensive course offerings through the Department of Psychology such as “Music Psychology” and “Psychology of Health Problems” among others.

University Study in Australia: University of Sydney

  • The 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.
  • Students can choose from a full range of Psychology course opportunities. Students can also take advantage of various internship and research opportunities through the university.

New Zealand

University Study in New Zealand: University of Otago

  • New Zealand's first university and one of its most prestigious teaching and research institutions
  • Vibrant campus lifestyle
  • Recently rated best psychology department in New Zealand

South Korea

University Study in South Korea: Korea University

  • Korea University, located in the rising metropolis of Seoul, teaches many courses in English allowing students to experience topics in Psychology in a non-English speaking country.
  • No language prerequisite; Some additional courses available in Korean for students proficient in the language.

Thailand

MSID—International Development in Thailand

  • Program focuses on international development in the context of Thailand through coursework in the first half of the semester and an internship project in the latter half.
  • Work alongside host nationals on development projects or with agencies working in your area of interest

Europe

Austria

IES Austria—European Society and Culture

  • Unique psychology offerings in English or German
  • Internships
  • Vienna is important in the history of the psychology discipline
  • German language classes

Denmark

Study Abroad in Denmark and Summer in Denmark & Sweden

  • Live and study while taking a wide-breadth of classes in English.
  • Psychology program offers a Positive Psychology course and a Positive Psychology practicum. Additionally, students can pursue a Child Development and Diversity track with supervised practicum.
  • Summer in Denmark & Sweden offers you the opportunity to explore one or both countries and build your summer experience abroad.
  • No language prerequisite.

France

Language & Culture in Southern France

  • Language and Culture track offers intensive French language as well as culture courses
  • Integrated Studies track offers psychology and social science courses at Paul Valery U; courses on advanced French language, French culture, history, and arts, as well as internships
  • Cultural activities and excursions
  • Extensive support, attention

Youth Development & Psychology in France

  • Study resilience in young populations through a core course co-created by a University of Minnesota Developmental Psychology professor and a French Psychology professor, who will teach the course in Montpellier.
  • Earn Psychology major credit through Intro to Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, Community Engagement and Cross-Cultural Psychology
  • Apply concepts and issues discussed in the classroom to their fieldwork in daycare centers, early education institutions, or after school programs.
  • Cultural activities and excursions
  • Extensive support, attention

Ireland

University Study in Ireland: University of Limerick

  • Directly enroll in psychology courses at the University of Limerick--one of Ireland’s most beautiful campuses.
  • Students can participate in a research project while making connections with the local community through the UL Practicum course. Students pursuing this option are eligible for the I-UROP scholarship.

Italy

Study & Intern in Florence

  • Study psychology, art, culture, and business
  • Take beginning or intermediate Italian language
  • An internship track allows you to gain professional experience

Norway

University Study in Norway: University of Bergen

  • Located on Norway’s stunning Western coast, the University of Bergen offers a variety of English taught classes in Psychology.
  • No language prerequisite; some additional courses available in Norwegian for students proficient in the language.

Exchange in Oslo

  • No language prerequisite.

Spain

Psychology & Research in Madrid

  • Fulfill Psychology major/minor requirements with seven psychology classes and one neuroscience class to choose from for the semester as well as other English taught courses and Spanish language classes
  • Enroll in 6 credits for the summer and choose from three psychology classes plus a research option. Spanish 1003 and 1004 also offered.
  • Review the U Credit Abroad Search to view course equivalencies that have been approved for psychology major requirements
  • Taught in English—no Spanish language pre-requisite for English research placements but Spanish recommended for other options
  • Full list of course options available on the website

Sweden

Study Abroad in Sweden

  • Take unique psychology courses in Stockholm, including forensic psychology, positive psychology, and political psychology
  • Courses are taught by Swedish faculty who are also practitioners in their fields, and courses include excursions and field trips in order to allow you to see the industry at work.
  • No language prerequisite.

United Kingdom

University Study in the United Kingdom: University of Glasgow

  • Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow consistently ranks as one of the UK’s most highly-rated schools.
  • Students can take several courses in social and cognitive psychology.

Study & Intern in London

  • Combination of social science coursework with a customized internship is a great fit for psychology majors, especially for students with an interest in I-O psychology
  • Internships have a seminar course that will help you to process your internship experience

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.