What Can I do Abroad?
There are many different program types catering to all types of students. No matter your degree plan, you can accomplish a lot by going abroad! These are just some ideas, more information on which program might be right for you can be found in the How to Choose a Program section of the site.
Fulfill major or minor requirements
Major and minor requirements. Also consider coursework abroad that covers areas of knowledge within your major or minor not covered in coursework on campus. Talk with your academic adviser about areas that may not be covered at the University of Minnesota but are important for your discipline. Then, research study abroad programs to find one that offers these courses.
Fulfill Liberal Education requirements
Liberal Education requirements are great to take abroad since these historical, literary, politics and culture type courses often give you insights on the place you're living abroad. Save some of this coursework if you can for when you go abroad.
Fast track a language requirement
What would take multiple semesters to complete on campus can be completed in a single semester or summer session abroad. Fast track your 1001-1004 sequence or even complete a minor.
Create an emphasis
Major fields of study have related fields of knowledge. Use your study abroad experience to study a related field intensively to gain some complimentary knowledge and enhance your degree. This will offer you an advantage in interviews for a job or for graduate school. Courses in these areas could fulfill liberal education requirements, provide overall credit toward graduation, and possibly fulfill some elective courses in your major.
Conduct research abroad
Research abroad can provide you with access to sources and data not possible in the US. Often, study abroad programs could pair you with a professor in your field, give you entrance to a library that specializes in your area or provide you access to a situation that you want to investigate. There are different ways to get credit for, or use, research abroad. In consultation with your academic adviser discuss:
- Honors Projects: Research projects can fulfill an honors requirement. Talk with your honors adviser about how this opportunity can fit into your degree plan.
- Senior Project/Paper: Work with your major adviser to define your senior project abroad. It is a good idea to have a location, program, and a rough idea of a topic ready when you meet.
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) offers financial awards twice yearly to full time undergraduates for non-credit research, scholarly, or creative projects undertaken in partnership with a U of M faculty member. It encourages students to conduct research and pursue academic interests outside of their regular courses by employing them to work on special research projects.
- International Undergraduate UROP Scholarship (UROP) is designed to promote learning abroad opportunities to UMTC undergraduate students by providing critical funding to students enrolled in select credit-bearing learning abroad programs involving a research project. The learning abroad program must be a semester or academic year in length involving a minimum of 100 hours dedicated to research that occurs on site.
