“Study abroad helps students prepare for their careers in a global society. They study in cultures and environments that differ from what is familiar, which prepares them to think critically about design.”
Interior Design Faculty Member
Department Recommendations
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. Save work done abroad including syllabi, projects, and papers to share with faculty and students upon return from your study abroad experience.
Major Coursework
Students can fulfill major courses abroad and stay on track academically. Work with your academic adviser and faculty adviser to receive approval for coursework prior to departure.
Business requirement in the major
- All courses can be done abroad.
Architectural History requirement in the major
- All courses can be done abroad.
Internships
- Students may also try to fulfill their internship experience abroad. The Study & Intern programs in London and Sydney have been pre-approved to cover this requirement.
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 to find courses that have already been evaluated, or to submit courses online for liberal education evaluation.
Be aware that 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.
Upon Return from Study Abroad
Meet with your academic adviser
- Meet with your academic adviser to discuss the study abroad return process and to go over re-entry resources to help make your learning abroad experience a meaningful component of your academic and career pathway.
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
- Offered fall semester, spring 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 focus on job training, career networking, and resume building in an international setting
- Interior Design students cannot participate on this program spring term as they must take an Interior Design studio course that semester to stay on track with their major. Students can only participate in the Study & Intern in Sydney program during the summer
Monash University, Melbourne (available through IFSA Australia)
- Offered fall and spring semester, academic year, and calendar year
- Students may choose from courses throughout the university, including those in interior design studio, building, construction, materials, communications, media, ergonomics, exhibition design, furniture, AD digital imaging, marketing theory, and contemporary discourse
University of Technology, Sydney (available through IFSA Australia)
- Offered fall and spring semester, academic year, and calendar year
- UTS focuses its teaching on common problem-based projects and activities, which allows for a holistic view in designing interior environments
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
New Zealand
Victoria University of Wellington (available through IFSA New Zealand)
- Offered fall and spring semester, academic year, and calendar year
- Students may choose from courses throughout the university, including those in the history of interior design, human and environmental factors, furniture, photography, ergonomics, time-based media, CAD, theory and criticism, and Maori design
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
- 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
United Kingdom, England
- Offered fall and spring semester, academic year, and summer
- Students may take coursework plus a for-credit internship
- Past placements include AdVision, British Tourist Authority, Cartoon Art Trust, Global Healthcare Communications, London Property Brochures, Simply Games, Wine & Spirit Association, and Tugboat Graphics
United Kingdom, Scotland
Glasgow School of Art (available through IFSA United Kingdom)
- Offered fall semester, spring semester, and academic year
- The GSA does not offer courses in the traditional sense. The majority of your time will be spent in studio
- You will instead submit a portfolio to a specific department, such as Interior Design, and a committee at GSA will review your application and portfolio for admittance into that department
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.