The International Experience was implemented at the Carlson School in 2008 to prepare Carlson students to be business leaders in an increasingly competitive global environment. The Carlson School of Management believes that firsthand international experience in new countries, cultures, and business environments is essential to providing a comprehensive business education. Carlson School undergraduates may fulfill their International Experience with any credit-bearing study abroad program through the UMN. For more information about the International Experience, please read through the International Experience FAQ on the Carlson Global Institute website.
Department Recommendations
The Carlson Global Institute (CGI) offers semester, academic year, short-term faculty-led, and summer education abroad programs with a business focus that are designed for Carlson School students. Explore their program options via the CGI Program Finder and meet with a CGI education abroad adviser to learn more about these programs.
In addition to CGI programs, consider the programs below through the Learning Abroad Center. The Co-Sponsored Programs are Learning Abroad Center programs that have been identified as programs that tend to work well for Carlson students. The Joint Programs are run in partnership between the Carlson School of Management and the Learning Abroad Center. Many of the programs allow you to take courses in your major/minor while abroad.
Academic Planning
You should always consult with your academic adviser with questions about how education abroad programs and courses fit in your graduation plan. Discuss the completion of your other academic requirements, the timing of your international experience, and the type of coursework to take abroad so your experience abroad is integrated into your overall academic plan. Carlson students can use the Carlson School Study Abroad Business Course Equivalencies Database to search for courses from semester and summer education abroad programs that have been petitioned to fulfill Carlson major and minor coursework.
College/Department Scholarships for UofM Students
In addition to Learning Abroad Center scholarships, Carlson School undergraduate students may apply for Carlson Global Institute scholarships.
Programs
Africa and the Middle East
Senegal
MSID--International Development in Senegal
- Program terms: Fall or Spring semester
- Cultivate awareness and appreciation for development issues through engagement with diverse communities
- Study small business development through a non-profit internship placement
- Minimum 4 semesters college-level French
- Co-Sponsored LAC Program
Americas
Argentina
Study & Intern in Buenos Aires
- Program terms: Fall Semester, Winter break, Spring semester, May session, summer session
- Study language and culture in Buenos Aires, the political and economic heart of Argentina. Students can take a breadth of courses in economics and Argentine history.
- No language prerequisite; courses available in English including "The Global Economy" and "International Marketing."
- Co-Sponsored LAC Program
Ecuador
MSID--International Development in Ecuador
- Program terms: Fall or Spring semester
- Cultivate awareness and appreciation for development issues through engagement with diverse communities
- Study entrepreneurship and participate in an immersive internship experience.
- Minimum 4 semesters of college-level Spanish (SPAN 1004), or equivalent proficiency
- Co-Sponsored LAC Program
Asia and Oceania
Australia
- Program terms: Fall semester, Spring semester, or Summer session
- Experience the dynamic city of Sydney through a professional internship and courses that deepen your understanding of Australian culture
- Some courses fulfill Carlson major/minor requirements. See program page for more details.
- Co-Sponsored LAC Program
New Zealand
University Study in New Zealand: University of Otago
- Program terms: Fall semester, Spring semester
- Enroll in business and non-business courses at the University of Otago. Some courses fulfill Carlson major/minor requirements. See program page for more details.
- Immerse yourself in New Zealand university and academic culture on this independent experience
- Co-Sponsored LAC Program
Thailand
MSID--International Development in Thailand
- Program terms: Fall semester, Spring semester
- Cultivate awareness and appreciation for development issues through engagement with diverse communities
- Study small business development through a non-profit internship placement
- Co-Sponsored LAC Program
Europe
Denmark
Study Abroad in Denmark and Summer in Denmark & Sweden
- Program terms: Fall semester, Spring semester, or Summer session
- Some courses fulfill Carlson major/minor requirements. See program page for more details
- No language prerequisite
- Co-Sponsored LAC Program
France
- Program terms: Fall semester, Spring semester
- Students on the Business in France program enroll in the two required courses ("Global Business and Industry" and a French language course), alongside business elective courses at the University of Montpellier. Some courses fulfill Carlson major/minor requirements. See program page for more details. Developed in conjunction with the Carlson School of Management, program is based at the University of Montpellier
- No language prerequisite for the English track
- Co-Sponsored LAC Program
Ireland
University Study in Ireland: University College Dublin
- Program terms: Fall semester, Spring semester
- Enroll in a mix of business and non-business courses at the prestigious Lochlann Quinn School of Business in areas such as marketing, finance, and accounting.
- Some courses fulfill Carlson major/minor requirements. See program page for more details.
- Co-Sponsored LAC Program
- Program Terms: Fall semester, Spring semester
- Foundational Business track: take required business classes abroad before you complete I-CORE at CSOM
- Advanced Business track: take classes at the Quinn School of Business at UCD after you have completed I-CORE at CSOM
- Internships are available in the business field, and placements are largely in small businesses and start-up organizations
- Joint Program
Spain
- Program Terms: Fall semester, Spring semester, or Summer session
- Enroll in business and non-business classes at either the study center with other students from the United States, or take some classes at a local Spanish university, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
- Intern with a Spanish company to earn UMN credit and gain professional skills while immersing yourself in Spanish culture
- Joint Program
- Program terms: Fall semester, Spring semester, Summer session
- Immerse yourself in Spanish culture through coursework, internships, and daily life. Gain a cultural and historical perspective of Spain through excursions to various locations in Spain.
- Some courses fulfill Carlson major/minor requirements. See program page for more details.
- Co-Sponsored LAC Program
United Kingdom
- Program terms: Fall semester, Spring semester, or Summer session
- Intern with a British company to gain professional skills and immerse yourself in British culture.
- Take classes in a wide range of fields including entrepreneurship, supply chain operations, and marketing.
- Some courses fulfill Carlson major/minor requirements. See program page for more details.
- Co-Sponsored LAC Program
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.