“Study abroad offers unique insights into the world around us. It will enable you to foster your historical imagination, expose you to new cultures, enhance your language and critical thinking skills, and gain valuable international experience. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity—every student should study abroad.”
Erika Lee, Associate Professor of History
Academic Planning Recommendations
Think about your area of concentration within the history major and look for a program that will contribute to your course of study. Pursue opportunities to do archival or other types of research abroad for your major paper or another research project.
Liberal Education Requirements
Search the U-Credit Abroad Search. You may also submit any liberal education course not yet evaluated for approval online.
Major and Minor Requirements
- Up to two upper-division courses taken while study abroad may be used as partial fulfillment of requirements for the history major and up to two lower-division courses taken while studying abroad can be used to fulfill the survey and elective categories of the history major.
- Thus, at most, you may use up to four history courses taken abroad as part of the major.
- Courses taken while abroad can be used to fulfill any of the sub-requirements for the history major (e.g. pre-modern or modern, geographic area, area of concentration).
- HIST 3020 and HIST 4010W or HIST 4961W are required courses for the major. They are offered only on campus. HIST 3020 must be taken prior to HIST 4010W or HIST 4961W. Depending upon how study abroad and graduation timing coincide, you might have to take one or both of these courses prior to leaving or upon your return.
College of Liberal Arts Language Requirement
Course 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 David Perry or a peer adviser to use the Academic Planning For Study Abroad (APSA) form to structure your academic planning.
College/Department Scholarships for UofM Students
- CLA students can apply for CLA Study Abroad Scholarships in addition to other Learning Abroad Center scholarships.
- Donovan Scholarship
Programs
Africa and the Middle East
Israel
University Study in Israel: Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Program type: University Study
- Participants study in the Rothberg International School. Strengths include Jewish studies, Biblical history and archeology, Israeli and Middle Eastern studies, Islamic studies, Hebrew, and Arabic.
- Although most students in Rothberg School courses are from other countries, Israeli students are eligible as well.
- Fall or spring semester, academic year, or summer. Summer offers coursework during either July or August sessions.
- 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.
Senegal
MSID—International Development in Senegal
- Program type: Field Study
- Academic program built around grassroots development internships. Homestays and research further ensure cultural immersion. Themes include historical development of global inequality.
- Past internship placements include social work agencies, youth projects, women’s groups, orphanages, health clinics, community centers, and many more.
- Instruction is in French. Fall or Spring semester.
South Africa
University of Cape Town (available through IES South Africa)
- Program type: University Study
- Still struggling to emerge from the nightmare of apartheid, South Africa is an interesting place for comparing the civil rights movement in the US with the liberation movement in Africa.
- University of Cape Town is one of Africa’s leading research and teaching institutions. Its century-old History department is the oldest in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Instruction is in English; no prior study of African languages required. Fall or spring semester, academic or calendar year.
Americas
Argentina
Study & Intern in Buenos Aires
- Program type: Study Abroad Center
- Very cost-effective UofM program open to all but aimed especially at students interested in Latin America but with insufficient Spanish language skills to take courses taught in Spanish.
- Offers language courses at all levels, Argentine studies courses taught in English, and a community engagement course that requires four semesters of prior Spanish.
- Instruction is in English; no prior Spanish is required. Fall or spring semester, academic year, or summer.
Chile
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (available through IES Chile)
- Program type: University Study (mostly)
- PUC, located in Santiago and enrolling nearly 20,000 undergraduates, is one of Chile’s top institutions. One or two center courses supplement university courses in these programs.
- Extensive range of history course offerings is especially strong on history of Chile.
- Instruction is in Spanish; 4 semesters of prior Spanish are required. Fall or spring semester, calendar or academic year.
Ecuador
MSID—International Development in Ecuador
- Program type: Field Study
- Academic program built around grassroots development internships. Homestays and research further ensure cultural immersion. Themes include historical development of global inequality.
- Past internship placements include rural women’s empowerment, literacy, public health/nutrition, sustainable agriculture, community environmental conservation, fishing or handicraft cooperatives.
- Instruction is in Spanish. Fall or Spring semester.
Peru
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (available through IFSA Peru)
- Program type: University Study (mostly)
- Founded in 1917 and located on a 90-acre campus in Lima, PUCP is Peru’s oldest private university. For course descriptions in the online course catalog, look underSumillas.
- PUCP offers many courses in Peruvian history as well as Latin American history, Andean ethnohistory. IFSA requires two center courses.
- Instruction is in Spanish; five prior semesters of Spanish required. Fall or spring semester, calendar or academic year.
Asia and Oceania
Australia
University of Wollongong (available through IFSA Australia)
- Program type: University Study
- Located in a seaside city of about 250,000 just south of Sydney, Wollongong is a highly international university, with about 20% of its students from other countries.
- Broad history curriculum includes courses on all major world regions. Greatest strengths are Australia, Asia, and Europe.
- Fall or spring semester, calendar or academic year.
Cambodia
The School for Field Studies Cambodia
- Study the environmental dynamics of the Mekong River, which provides habitats to myriad species and sustains life for millions of people.
- Examine the interaction between human life and the ecology of the river and region. In addition, students explore a variety of regional development and conservation challenges and community-based solutions during travel across rural and urban Cambodia.All courses taught in English. No language prerequisite. One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science required for semester program.
- Semester and summer options available.
China
IFSA China—Xi’an
- Program type: Study Abroad Center
- Program name is Globalization Then and Now: Xi’an & the Silk Road. Includes two-week Silk Road field trip into Central Asia.
- Includes Chinese language study, The Silk Road Yesterday & Today, and choice of one other course in Chinese history, art history, or contemporary society and culture.
- Instruction is in English; no prior Chinese is required. Fall semester, spring semester, or summer.
New Zealand
University Study in New Zealand: University of Auckland
- Program type: University Study
- New Zealand’s largest university, located in its largest city. History department offers a wide range of option for study.
- Students can focus on a region (e.g., New Zealand/Pacific, Europe, Asia), a specific period, (e.g., ancient, medieval, or early modern), or a topic (e.g., gender history or history of technology).
- Instruction is in English, although some Maori studies courses are taught in Maori instead. Fall or spring semester, academic or calendar year
University Study in New Zealand: University of Otago
- Program type: University Study
- Otago is located in Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island, a particularly attractive location for students interested in outdoor activities. It is renowned for its vibrant campus lifestyle.
- Sample history courses: Early Australia & New Zealand; Pacific Islands to c. 1900; Imperial Japan; Empires & Globalizations; Science & Society 1789– 1914; Scottish History since 1688.
- Instruction is in English. Fall or spring semester, academic or calendar year.
Europe
Denmark
Study Abroad in Denmark and Summer in Denmark & Sweden
- Program type: Study Abroad Center
- DIS, one of Europe’s largest and academically strongest study abroad programs, offers a wide variety of courses on Denmark, Scandinavia, and Europe.
- Sample history offerings: A Cultural History of Travel; Environmental History of Europe; Impact of Epidemic Disease upon European History; History of Copenhagen. Many study tours available.
- Summer in Denmark & Sweden offers you the opportunity to explore one or both countries and build your summer experience abroad.
- Instruction is in English; no prior Danish is required. Fall or spring semester, academic year, or summer.
France
Université Paul Valéry through Language & Culture in Southern France
- Program type: University Study (there is also a Study Abroad Center track)
- Paul Valéry’s History department offers a wide variety of courses on France, on Europe more generally, and on other world regions.
- Students in the University Study track may also take language and culture courses from the Center track; these include some civilization and culture courses but no history courses per se.
- Instruction is in French; one year French required for center track, two for university study track. Fall or spring semester, academic year; center track also includes May term and summer options.
Germany
IES Germany -- Freiburg Language & Area Studies
- Program combining center courses with university study.
- University of Freiburg is a highly rated university located in an extraordinarily picturesque medieval city center of environmental activism at the foot of the Black Forest near the French and Swiss borders.
- Plethora of majors– e,g, Ancient Civilization Studies, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Early Modern & Modern History, Medieval & Renaissance Studies– hints at breadth of history curriculum.
- Instruction is in German; four semesters of prior German required for academic year, five for spring semester. Spring semester or academic year.
Ireland
University Study in Ireland - University College Dublin
- Program type: University Study & Study Center
- Located on the outskirts of the Irish capital, UCD is one of Ireland’s strongest universities. The History department is among UCD’s largest teaching units.
- History curriculum strongly emphasizes Europe, including many courses on Ireland. Some world history and non-European regional courses (e.g., Canada, Australia, Muslim world) available also.
- Fall semester, spring semester, or academic year.
Italy
- Program type: Study Abroad Center
- UofM-sponsored language and area studies program whose multidisciplinary curriculum focuses on Italy and is heaviest in art history.
- Limited internships available depending on interests and language proficiency.
- Instruction is in English; no prior study of Italian is required. Fall semester, spring semester, or academic year.
Universitá di Bologna (available through Bologna Consortial Studies Program, BCSP)
- Program type: University Study (and Study Abroad Center)
- Bologna is Europe’s oldest university and arguably the most prestigious in Italy. All students take UB courses, supplemented by program courses including one each semester in history.
- UB History department, which focuses almost exclusively on Europe, is strong on ancient, medieval, and modern history alike.
- Instruction is in Italian; at least two prior years of language study are required. Fall semester, spring semester, or academic year. (Academic year option highly recommended.)
Spain
- Program type: Study Abroad Center
- English-taught coursework and English speaking internships available in a variety of fields.
- Take Political History of Contemporary Spain and fulfill a requirement for the History major or minor.
- Live with a Spanish host family.
- Program type: Study Abroad Center
- UofM language/humanities/social sciences program located one of Europe’s most picturesque cities, a living museum of medieval and Renaissance architecture.
- Sample courses: Cultural Heritage of Spain; Management of Cultural Heritage; History of Spanish Women; Spain Since 1936. Internships and a community engagement course on immigrants offered also.
- Instruction is in Spanish; four prior semesters of Spanish are required. Fall or spring semester, academic year, May term, or summer.
United Kingdom—England
London School of Economics & Political Science (available through IFSA United Kingdom)
- Program type: University Study
- One of the world’s leading institutions for the social sciences, LSE includes a large array of history courses. Look at Economic History as well as History in the online course catalog.
- Although history curriculum emphasizes Europe, a number of offerings are available on other parts of the world as well.
- Academic year or summer (summer through IFSA only).
University Study in the UK: Queen Mary University of London
- Program type: University Study
- QM’s academic departments, library, students’ union, and administrative buildings are all on one campus in the multicultural East End, making it unique among the traditional London colleges.
- Greatest History department strengths are British history, European history, and US history.
- Fall semester, spring semester, or academic year.
- Program type: Study Abroad Center
- Area studies program whose course offerings include British History in the 20th Century; Understanding Modern Britain; Post-War British Popular Culture; and many more.
- Special features include a 6-credit course-internship combination (3 credits in the summer) and a 6-credit community engagement course (semester only).
- Fall or spring semester, academic year, or summer.
United Kingdom—Northern Ireland
Queens University Belfast (available through IFSA United Kingdom)
- Program type: University Study
- Founded in Ireland in 1845, Queens holds to principles of non-denominational teaching and equality of opportunity. Small number of American students (ca. 300 out of 23,000) facilitates immersion.
- Strongest on British history, Irish history, and US history. Several courses offered as well on European history and history of British Empire; few on rest of world.
- Fall semester, spring semester, or academic year.
United Kingdom– Scotland
University Study in the UK: University of Glasgow
- Program type: University Study
- UG’s History department offers a broad range of courses on British, Scottish, European, and American history; little on other world regions.
- Sample past course offerings: The Scottish Highlands 1400–1609; American Landscape History; Computing for Historians; Renaissance Florence; Saints & Sinners; Northern Britons 400–1100.
- Fall or spring semester, academic year, or summer.
Additional Options to Consider
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.