Learning Abroad Center

Learning Abroad in Architecture — BDA

Department Recommendations

Current Architecture Students

  • Architecture courses abroad may not meet architecture course requirements at the University of Minnesota. Students should meet with their academic adviser to review their study abroad academic planning prior to the study abroad experience.

Prospective Architecture Students

  • Once admitted to the College of Design, your architecture academic adviser will work with the architecture faculty to help you evaluate major related coursework. Architecture courses abroad may not meet architecture course requirements at the University of Minnesota.

Best Times to go Abroad

Please consult your four year plan for the best time to study abroad: z.umn.edu/4yearplan

Fulfill Requirements

Be sure to meet with your academic adviser to fill out an Academic Planning Form.

Major Coursework

  • The DIS program offered in Copenhagen, Denmark (fall and spring semester, academic year, and summer) gives students the opportunity to take studio courses that can be used to satisfy workshop credit. Check with your academic adviser for more information.

Internships & Obtaining Internship Development (IDP) Credit

  • If you are interested in pursuing an architecture internship abroad, and you would like to obtain IDP credit, you are encouraged to contact the Minnesota Internship Development Program (IDP) coordinator.

Liberal Education

  • 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 of study abroad courses that have already been evaluated or submit courses online to be evaluated for liberal education requirements.

Study abroad courses may not meet multiple requirements

  • Some University of Minnesota courses are approved to meet multiple requirements. For example, one course may count toward your liberal education requirements and meet a requirement in your major. Study abroad courses may not meet multiple requirements.

Programs

Africa

Senegal

Wakanda & Black Liberatory Futures: Exploring Afrofuturism in Senegal

  • Summer Session 2024, Dakar, Senegal; open to all students
  • Immerse yourself in Senegal's cultural environment and meet with Senegalese community members in a variety of industries and learn innovative, creative ways to help heal our communities, promote abolitionist principles, and advance collective liberation
  • Using historical and modern-day research methods, Afrofuturist and Pan-Africanist movements, community engagement, and cross-disciplinary approaches, engage in the design research process to tackle emerging community issues that directly oppress Black communities throughout the United States
  • This program is led by Terresa Moses, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Director of Design Justice in the College of Design and Simone Gbolo, Statewide Director Louis Stokes North Star STEM Alliance, Office for Equity and Diversity. This course is approved for DES 4403/5503.
  • Consult with your academic adviser to see if this program will meet major or minor degree requirements

Asia and Oceania

Australia

Study & Intern in Sydney

  • This program is available each semester and summer term
  • Students complete a 6-credit internship, which allows them to integrate with Australians, experience the local culture first-hand, and gain professional skills
  • Students to focus on job training, career networking, and resume building in an international setting

Singapore

Design & Food in Singapore

  • Winter Break 2024, Singapore; open to all students
  • Immerse yourself in Singapore, ranked as one of the world's best cities for street food. This course is an experiential introduction to principles of service design applied to the food industry in Southeast Asia
  • You will explore markets, farms and stores while engaging with local universities, companies, and organizations
  • This program is led by Barry Kudrowitz and Carlye Lauff, both professors in the department of product design in the College of Design, and is approved for PDES Major/Minor elective credit
  • This course can be tied to three Sustainable Development Goals: #2 Zero Hunger, #3 Good Health and Well-Being, and #11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Consult with your academic adviser to see if this program will meet major or minor degree requirements

Europe

Denmark

Study Abroad in Denmark - Architecture & Design Program

  • Offered each fall and spring semester, as well as academic year
  • Designed for students majoring in architecture, interior design, interior architecture, and, for pre-architecture, in fine arts or studio art
  • Students have the opportunity to develop professional skills and knowledge through interaction with Danish architects and designers in studio, classes, and on field studies and study tours
  • No language prerequisite

Summer in Denmark and Sweden - Architecture & Design Program

  • Offered summer session in Copenhagen
  • Designed for students majoring in architecture, interior design, interior architecture, and, for pre-architecture, in fine arts or studio art
  • Students have the opportunity to develop professional skills and knowledge through interaction with Danish architects and designers in studio, classes, and on field studies and study tours
  • No language prerequisite

Greece

Capturing Greece: Color, Light, & Form

  • May Term 2024, Athens & Greek Islands, Greece; open to all students
  • Immerse yourself in Greece’s unique cultural environment to expand your vision and creativity. Travel to Athens and Tinos to observe and experience water, stone, and structure in a fresh way
  • You will explore ancient architectural forms, uniquely evolved historic villages, and references to mythological and symbolic imagery
  • This program is led by Frances (Fancy) Trice is the Graphic Design Program Director in the College of Design, and is approved for the Arts & Humanities Liberal Education Core
  • Consult with your academic adviser to see if this program will meet major or minor degree requirements

Italy

Design in Sicily

  • The Design in Sicily is a 7-week program offered in Siracusa, Italy during Summer Session. A College of Design instructor accompanies the program and teaches a 3-credit studio course open to all students. Earn 6-7 credits as you make Sicily your classroom. Consult with your academic adviser to see if this program will meet major or minor degree requirements
  • Engage in the design process with local and international designers through coursework and a collaborative practicum
  • Create visual projects in response to your Italian experience, honing your own sensibilities as a designer in the rich visual culture of Italy
  • Engage with the theme of how meaning is created through both the still and the moving image, and you will engage in hands-on explorations through a variety of forms of visual representation including drawing from observation and imagination, illustration, photography, video, and collage

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.