Why should I take this course?
- Gain practice marketing your international experience to future employers or graduate and professional schools.
- Receive individual feedback and mentoring to help promote deeper understanding of your experiences in the host culture.
- Understand the value of the intercultural skill-set you acquire overseas.
- Fulfill the Global Perspectives Theme Liberal Education Requirement
Does this course fulfill any requirements?
Yes. This course fulfills the Global Perspectives Liberal Education Theme requirement (even though it is a 1-credit course).
Am I required to take this course?
This course is optional, but strongly suggested for students participating in learning abroad programs that last 6 weeks or more.
Do I need to buy a book?
All readings for the course are online through the University of Minnesota’s E-Reserve System. There is also a Canvas site which houses all other course documents. There is no additional cost for the readings. Due to limited internet access at some program sites, you should consider printing the readings prior to departure and take them with you.
Can I still take the course if I have limited internet access on-site?
Assess your internet access immediately upon arrival in your host country and contact your instructor with any concerns. Your instructor can work with you individually to accommodate your situation if internet access is a challenge.
How much does the course cost?
If you are participating on an LAC Program, the cost of the course is included in the program fee and no extra fee is billed. To determine if you are participating on an LAC Program, look for the yellow bar that says LAC PROGRAM underneath the your program name on the Learning Abroad Center webpage. The cost of the course is also included in the program fee for the following programs managed by Carlson Global Institute: Business in Barcelona and Business in Dublin. Late registration requests will be considered on a case by case basis and a course fee of $200 will be charged.
If you are participating on an affiliate program, the course fee is $200 if you request registration by the deadline for your term. Late registration requests will be considered on a case by case basis and a course fee of $520.50 (one-credit of undergraduate tuition) will be charged. Examples of affiliate programs are CET, IES, IFSA, ISEP, and SFS. Carlson Global Institute business exchange programs, college/department exchange programs, and Chinese Flagship programs are also considered affiliate programs of the Learning Abroad Center.
Who is my instructor?
Instructors are from the University of Minnesota and have master's degree or higher in a relevant field. All instructors are specially trained in intercultural learning and are familiar with your experience as a study abroad student.
When will I hear from my instructor?
Your instructor will contact you via email approximately two weeks prior to your program start date.
What if I am not contacted by an instructor?
If you are not contacted by your instructor by two weeks prior to your program start date, email Maria Mantey at the Learning Abroad Center immediately.
How do I register for the course?
During the application process to your program, you will be asked if you want to take this course. The Learning Abroad Center will then register everyone who wants to take the course when registration opens for the term.
Can I sign up for this course after I start my study abroad program?
You are not able to enroll in this course once you arrive onsite for your program because this course requires a pre-departure assignment. You must be registered for the course by the Learning Abroad Center prior to departure. Late registration requests will be considered on a case by case basis with a course fee of either $200 or $512.00 (one-credit undergraduate tuition), depending on the type of program in which you are participating.
How do I drop the course?
To drop the Global Identity course, you must fill out the Global Identity Course Drop Form located on the Learning Abroad Center application portal.
If you do not officially request to drop the course, you will remain registered even if you do not submit any coursework, and will receive a failing grade.
What is the deadline for dropping the course?
The timeline for drop periods is the same for summer term and semester programs. It is calculated based on your program start date, not the UMN drop/add calendar for on campus courses. You will have two weeks (14 calendar days) from your official program start date to request that the Global Identity course be dropped to avoid a "W" on your University of Minnesota transcript.
- If you submit your drop request between weeks 3 and 10 of your summer or semester program, the course will appear as a "W" on your transcript.
- If you submit your drop request after week 10 of your semester program (or after 26 calendar days from the program start date of your summer program), you will not be allowed to withdraw, and you will receive the grade that you have earned for the course (A-F).
Can I get a refund if I drop the course?
If you have paid a fee for the Global Identity course, you will receive a refund if you drop the course within one week of your program start date. If you drop more than one week after your program start date, you will not receive a refund. To drop the Global Identity course, you must fill out the Global Identity Course Drop Form located on the Learning Abroad Center application portal.
How and when will I be billed for this course?
UofM and Non-UofM students participating on a Learning Abroad Center program will not be billed.
Students participating on affiliated and Carlson Global Institute programs will be billed through their University of Minnesota student billing account as a separate (additional) charge. The charge will appear on your account in late December for spring and calendar year programs, early May for May/Summer programs and mid-June for fall and academic year programs.
Can the cost of this course be covered by my financial aid?
When you request your Study Abroad Cost Estimate (SACE), mention that you are taking the Global Identity course to have the cost of the course reflected in your SACE. If you have already requested and received a SACE, you must request a revised SACE to include the Global Identity course.
Grading Policy?
A–F grading is used for this course. You will receive a letter grade for each of the five assignments. You must complete each of the five assignments in order to receive a passing grade for the course. This course is only available under the A-F grade base.