International Profile
International Study, Service-Learning, Work, Intern, and Volunteer Opportunities
Increasing participation in educational experiences abroad is a major goal of the University. The Learning Abroad Center on the Twin Cities campus is the main office for helping students prepare for and participate in experiences abroad. The center provides services and opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students and offers more than 220 study, service learning, intern, volunteer, and work programs in 60 countries.
The University and the Learning Abroad Center are working on several initiatives to increase participation in study and other experiences abroad. The University’s goal is for the number of students going abroad to equal 50 percent of the graduating class each year. About 1,300 Twin Cities undergraduates (22% of graduating seniors) studied abroad in 2003-04. The Duluth campus is at 25%, Morris 37%, and Crookston 8%.
The University is a national leader in its effort to incorporate international education into the undergraduate experience. The Minnesota Model encourages the integration of study abroad across the curriculum and international perspectives into on-campus courses.
Most financial aid can be applied to study abroad, and the University and the Learning Abroad Center have made available more than $250,000 in study abroad scholarships.
| Top Destinations for University of Minnesota Students (Twin Cities, 04-05) | |
| Europe | 1,057 |
| Latin America / Caribbean | 425 |
| Asia | 178 |
| Australia / New Zealand / Canada | 120 |
| Africa/Middle East | 60 |
| Academic Level of Participants (Twin Cities, 04-05) |
|
| Freshman | 37 |
| Sophomore | 213 |
| Junior | 648 |
| Senior | 542 |
Custom and Departmental Programs
Many individual colleges and departments design custom programs abroad for their students. The Learning Abroad Center can provide essential support services while allowing faculty the freedom to design their own programs. Examples of recent programs include “Natural History of Norway,” sponsored by the College of Natural Resources, and “Architecture in Oaxaca, Mexico,” sponsored by the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
Judd Fellowships
The Walter H. Judd International Graduate & Professional Fellowships are designed to increase opportunities for master’s and professional degree students at the University to study, undertake internships, and conduct research projects abroad. An average of 20 students receive awards each year.