An international learning experience is life changing! Imagine living with a host family and learning a new language in Mexico, participating in an engineering research project in England, or interning in a clinic in Ecuador. Build your skills, cultural awareness, and self-confidence.

The Learning Abroad Center advising staff is here to help you find the right program to match your academic and personal interests. Follow the steps below to ensure the best possible match for your personal and curricular needs.

1. Attend a First-Step Meeting
Study Abroad First Step Meetings and Work, Intern, and Volunteer First Step Meetings are half-hour informational sessions on understanding program options, defining goals and interests, academic planning (for study abroad), and funding. Sessions are held daily in 230 Heller Hall (map) or online (Online First Step Meeting) 24 hours a day. University of Minnesota students are required to attend a First Step Meeting before meeting individually with an adviser. Non-UofM students do not have to complete this requirement.

2. Set Goals and Prioritize
Determine your goals and priorities for study abroad. Study abroad programs can help you meet major or minor requirements, fulfill liberal education requirements, or achieve proficiency in a second language. You can live with a family in another culture, and you may also be able to do an internship or research for a final thesis while abroad. Opportunities abound! With careful planning you can study abroad and graduate on time. Decide the term you’d like to study abroad and the type of coursework you’d like to cover.

3. Investigate Programs

• Check out the Learning Abroad Catalog and this web site. Think about the term you’d like to study abroad, the type of coursework you’d like to cover, and a destination that interests you. Take a look, imagine, enjoy!
  
• Meet with a Program Selection Adviser
  After attending a First Step meeting, meet with a Program Selection Adviser. Please do this before applying for a study abroad program. Advisers are available on a walk-in basis Monday 10–6, Tuesday 1–4, Wednesday–Friday 10–4. Advisers can help you identify programs that are a good match for your personal and curricular interests and that will help you fulfill major, minor, and other degree requirements. Advisers can also assist you with questions about financial aid and scholarships.
  

4. Academic Planning
Look for tools like Study Abroad in Your Major advising sheets, tips on finding course descriptions and syllabi, and the Academic Planning for Study Abroad form, a tool which facilitates communication with your academic advisers about study abroad coursework and your degree requirements.

5. Talk to Your Adviser
At any stage in the process, consult with your college or department advisers about your plans. Discuss coursework and terms that will work for you. Ask about collegiate and departmental scholarships for study abroad.

Study abroad can be an integral part of your undergraduate studies. You many want to choose a program early in your college career that will help satisfy Liberal Education or language requirements. The Learning Abroad Center also works with academic departments across campus to identify programs that are especially good for each major or minor. With careful planning, it is possible to complete core and/or elective major credits on study abroad.

6. Apply early
Allow yourself plenty of time to complete a program application, finish your academic planning, fulfill financial aid and scholarship requirements, and get ready to study abroad. Application deadlines range from three months to one year before the program start date. Click here for application information.

Last modified on November 3, 2009