Learning Abroad Center

Learning Abroad in English

"Study abroad helps you experience literature and writing in wholly new and different ways. Exploring books and exploring the world are related processes, and no education is really complete without opportunities to do both."

Josephine Lee, Professor, Department of English

Academic Planning Recommendations

Major and Minor Requirements

  • Discuss learning abroad resident credit with the department. The UMN English BA program requires five University of Minnesota three- or four-credit English courses completed in residence at the Twin Cities campus, to include EngL or EngW 3960W and the Senior Project and at least three other upper-division courses (3000-level or higher).
  • Courses must offer a study of literature written in English (e.g., postcolonial, genre studies, surveys, film, studies in the literature of a particular century), English language, literary theory, or writing (creative or advanced expository or professional).
  • The department encourages students to consider study at non-Western sites. Countries that are former British colonies provide exceptional opportunities for students to experience cultures out of which some very current literature and films are created, works that address issues germane to the challenges and conflicts and benefits of globalization, (e.g., African and South Asian countries.)
  • These regions also provide exceptional opportunities for the linguistic study of world Englishes. See the English Department Faculty Directory to identify faculty with whom to consult.
  • Look for junior- and senior-level courses.
  • Many programs offer literature courses, including world literature written in English, or British and American literature. Look especially for courses in literature, culture, and language of the host country; if they teach literature written in English or world Englishes, they can apply to the major; if not, they are excellent choices for non-major elective courses.
  • Some programs offer English language linguistics courses. Look especially for the opportunity to study world Englishes.
  • Some institutions have creative writing workshops. In most cases, you will need to provide an appropriate writing sample for admission to such workshops.
  • Consider taking at least one US American literature course taught by a host-country faculty member. An outside perspective on your own society can be a real eye-opener.
  • Look for opportunities to study educational systems differing from what you have previously experienced, especially if your professional goal is teaching.
  • Explore opportunities to study legal systems in other countries, especially if you are considering applying to law schools.

Liberal Education Requirements

Search the U Credit Abroad Search. You may also submit any liberal education course not yet evaluated for approval online.

Internships

Look for internships and community engagement opportunities that bear credit. Internships abroad might apply toward the elective component of the major.

College of Liberal Arts Language Requirement

Courses taken abroad for the CLA Language Requirement (for BA degrees) must be at least 4 credits. CLA college advisers can approve courses that are clearly identified in a syllabus or online course description as first-, second-, third-, or fourth-semester language courses. If a course level is not explicitly stated, you must work with your CLA adviser to have the course evaluated by the appropriate language department. Advisers cannot approve these courses.

Who will advise me and help me with course approvals?

Learning Abroad Center advisers can help you find program and course information to help you prepare for your study abroad academic planning discussion with your academic adviser. Once you have narrowed down your program options, meet with your department adviser.

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 English 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.

Africa and the Middle East

Senegal

MSID—International Development in Senegal

  • Program Type: Field Study
  • MSID combines coursework, research, field placements, and internships in this program that focuses on development, globalization, and social justice.
  • Four semesters of college-level French (or the equivalent) is required.
  • English students can focus on the Education & Literacy or the Arts & Cultural Studies (includes Literature) track.
  • Fall or spring semester.

Americas

Ecuador

MSID—International Development Ecuador

  • Program Type: Field Study
  • MSID combines coursework, research, field placements, and internships in this program that focuses on development, globalization, and social justice.
  • Four semesters of college-level Spanish (or the equivalent) is required
  • English students can focus on the Education & Literacy or the Arts & Cultural Studies (includes Literature) track.
  • Fall or spring semester.

Asia and Oceania

Australia

University of Melbourne (available througg IFSA Australia)

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • Melbourne has a strong English department with coursework in British literature, colonial and postcolonial literature, Shakespeare, history of the English language, creative writing, cultural theory, professional writing, and film.
  • Instruction is in English.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year, calendar year.

University Study in Australia: University of Sydney

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • The English department at Sydney offers a range of courses in British, American and Australian literature, as well as literary theory, creative writing, and Aboriginal and Indigenous literature.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year, calendar year.

University of Wollongong (available through IFSA Australia)

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • You can take a wide variety of English courses in colonial and postcolonial literature, Shakespeare, history of the English language, British literature, creative writing, cultural theory.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year, calendar year.

Japan

Exchange in Tokyo—Sophia University

  • Program Type: Host-University and study abroad center.
  • Just 20 minutes from central Tokyo, this exchange provides an affordable study abroad option featuring complete immersion at a Japanese University.
  • In addition to British or American Literature and poetry, take coursework such as Modern Japanese Fiction, Chinese Poetry, and the Classic Chinese Novel.
  • Spring semester or academic year.

New Zealand

Victoria University of Wellington (available through IFSA New Zealand)

  • Program Type: Host-University Study
  • With an enrollment of about 20,00 students, Victoria University of Wellington is a thriving community of learning.
  • Victoria University offers a wide variety of courses in British and American literature, Shakespeare, and the literature of New Zealand and Australia.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year, calendar year.

University Study in New Zealand: University of Auckland

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • The University of Auckland was established in 1883 and is one of New Zealand’s oldest and largest institutions.
  • Coursework is available in British literature, Shakespeare, poetry, critical theory, Postcolonial literature, and Pacific literature and literature of the Pacific Diaspora.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year, calendar year.

University Study in New Zealand: University of Otago

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • The University of Otago, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the southern hemisphere, is located in Dunedin, on New Zealand’s South Island.
  • The English department offers a variety of courses including Post-Colonial Literatures, British Literatures, Renaissance Verse, and Irish Poetry.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year, calendar year

Thailand

MSID—International Development in Thailand

  • Program Type: Field Study
  • Based in Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • Explore the complexities created by issues such as environment, globalization, public health, and social justice.
  • English students can focus on the Education & Literacy or the Arts & Cultural Studies (includes Literature) track.
  • Contribute to an internship or research project with a nonprofit organization.
  • Instruction is in English; no prior Thai required.

Europe

Denmark

Study Abroad in Denmark and Summer in Denmark & Sweden

  • Program Type: Study Center
  • All courses are taught in English.
  • Semester and Summer program options.
  • Relevant courses available in the following disciplines: Literature and Communication.
  • Summer in Denmark & Sweden offers you the opportunity to explore one or both countries and build your summer experience abroad.
  • Two core course-integrated study tours in semester programs: one 3-day tour in western Denmark, one-week-long tour in 1-2 other European countries.

Germany

IES Germany—Humboldt University, Berlin

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • The IES Berlin program consists of one intensive German language class, a variety of courses in German, and access to regular courses at Humboldt University. Offerings in English include a diverse array of English and American language, literature, and culture classes.
  • The many literature courses include significant offerings focusing on gender, race, and ethnicity in English and American literature. Humboldt hosts a prestigious lecture series (the W.E.B. DuBois lectures), and provides a unique and rigorous academic atmosphere for English major study.

Exchange in Germany

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • This exchange is with Freie University of Berlin.
  • Take courses from the department of English where a number of literature courses are available each semester.
  • Students take courses from the university’s curriculum with German students.

Iceland

Exchange in Iceland

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • Study at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik.
  • Courses are available in British literature, literary theory, literary analysis, history of the English language, and English dialects.
  • Academic year only.

Ireland

IFSA Ireland

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • Study Irish and English literature and language in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Ballyvaughan, Republic of Ireland; or in Londonderry, Coleraine, or Belfast, Northern Ireland.
  • Each site provides varying academic opportunities at Irish universities and colleges—in creative writing (Burren College of Art); medieval, renaissance, and modern literature; Irish drama and theatre; linguistics
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year.

Study Abroad in Dublin

  • Program Type: Study Center
  • Fall and Spring semester.
  • Walk the same streets that WB Yeats, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, and Oscar Wilde walked.
  • Take classes like Storytelling, Playwriting, and Irish Literature & Film that count as upper-level elective credits in the English major and in some cases, the Creative Writing minor.
  • Participate in an internship focused on publishing, creative writing, or other areas of interest.

Sweden

Study Abroad in Sweden and Summer in Denmark & Sweden

  • Program Type: Study Center
  • All courses are taught in English.
  • Semester and Summer program options.
  • Relevant courses available in the following disciplines: Literature and Creative Writing.
  • Summer in Denmark & Sweden offers you the opportunity to explore one or both countries and build your summer experience abroad.
  • Two core course-integrated study tours in semester programs: one 3-day tour in Sweden or neighboring country, one-week-long tour in 1-2 other European countries.

United Kingdom

University Study in the UK: University of Glasgow, Scotland

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • Experience the vibrant urban feel of the UK's third-largest city while studying at one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom.
  • Take courses in literature, comparative literature, and Scottish literature.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year.

Study & Intern in London

  • Program Type: Study Center
  • This program offers courses in a wide variety of topics, complemented by credit-bearing internships.
  • Consider an internship at a library, writing or editing for a magazine, in a theater or in a variety of other placements.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year, summer

University of East Anglia (offered through the English Department), Norwich, England

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • UEA teaches and researches English and American literature, comparative European literature, creative writing, drama, American history, film, and television.
  • Study modern and postmodern literature, creative writing, women’s writing, eighteenth-century studies, and romanticism.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year.

IFSA United Kingdom

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • Study literatures written in English: colonial British, American, postcolonial as well as creative writing.
  • The best choices for English majors are King’s College, and the University of Westminster.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year.

University Study in the UK: Queen Mary College, University of London

  • Program Type: Host-University
  • Study in London’s East End and experience its rich ethnic diversity in language, foods, culture, and literary studies.
  • Queen Mary’s School of English and Drama offers both traditional literary studies and forward-looking, innovative literary, theoretical, and interdisciplinary studies.
  • Fall or spring semester, academic year.

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.