Preparing to Conduct Research Abroad

Pre-Departure Planning

Learning Abroad Center: The Learning Abroad Resource Center has more than 500 titles in its travel library, including the most recent Lonely Planet guidebooks. They have an extensive library of information on travel, work, and study abroad, and information ranging from cultural differences to packing tips. LAC sells travel products and rail passes. You can consult with LAC staff about basic logistics, such as money matters, general transportation issues, and recommended sites to visit. Make an appointment to meet with an adviser by calling 612-626-9000 or see the LAC website.

Visa information: See the U.S. State Department website for information about obtaining a visa. Embassy World online has a directory of embassies and consulates worldwide. If you are a F-1 or J-1 international student, consult with the International Student and Scholar Services office. You may need to contact the embassy of your destination country directly to determine which type of visa is appropriate for your purpose.

OIP travel information: See the OIP website for links to travel information.

Medical Insurance and Release and Waiver

Complete the Release and Waiver Form: All students undertaking research abroad are required to sign a release and waiver form. Download the form and instructions.

Register for medical insurance: University of Minnesota approved medical insurance is required for all students who undertake research abroad. If you have questions contact Mandi Miller, Learning Abroad Center, at 612-626-9000 or mill3214@umn.edu. The medical insurance coverage for graduate assistants meets the requirement, but verification of coverage is required for foreign study.

Immunizations and vaccinations: You may be living in a country where the risk of certain illnesses is greater than in the United States. For information about health precautions and medical preparation such as immunizations and vaccinations, contact the Boynton Health Service Travel Clinic . They have a full-service travel immunization center. To schedule an appointment, call 612-625-3222.

Travel to Countries on the U.S. State Department Travel Warning list

Check the U.S. State Department's website: University policy requires individual students or faculty-led groups of students traveling to countries on the U.S. Department of State's travel warning list to receive special permission. The Education Abroad Suspension Committee will review requests to travel to these countries.

For information on the policy and procedure of the petition see http://www.international.umn.edu/travel/travelwarning/

Academic Planning

Research Approval: Consult with your academic advisor on the process of obtaining approval for your research or dissertation research.

Approval from foreign governments: You may need special approval for undertaking research in another country. Consult with that country's embassy or consulate on the requirements.

Human subjects approval: The University of Minnesota Institution Review Board (IRB) reviews research projects that involve human or animal subjects to ensure that two broad standards are upheld. If you are using human subjects in your research you must apply for approval. To apply for human subjects approval, see the IRB website. The IRB review board has listed all of the steps of the IRB application process. See the website for information at http://www.research.umn.edu/irb/applying/appProcess/index.cfm

Cultural, Academic Adjustment, and Re-Entry

Know before you go: Read the Learning Abroad Center's information on "Know Before You Go." Although this book is aimed at undergraduate students who are studying abroad, there is valuable information for research and travel abroad. Pages 15 through 18 contain information about cultural adjustment, culture shock, and re-entry.

Allow time to adjust: After you arrive in your host country, it is important to allow yourself time to adjust. Things you take for granted here shopping for groceries, going to the bank, using the bus may have to be re-learned. You can lessen your culture shock and prepare for cultural differences by researching the country you will travel to.

Communication Studies: The Communications Studies department offers classes on intercultural communication and intercultural re-entry. COMM 3451 Intercultural Communication: Theory and Practice details theories and factors influencing intercultural communication, and helps you develop effective communication skills. COMM 3452 Communication and the Intercultural Reentry aids those returning home after studying and living abroad. Its focus is how to understand the impact of intercultural experience as the basis for social change.

Learn the language: Even if you have determined that you don't need a foreign language to accomplish your research, you may wish to learn some basic phrases. Having even simple communication skills will help you to become more involved with your host country culture and to be a more successful researcher. The University offers classes in over 30 different languages. The OIP International Directory has a list of language courses offered at the University. Kwintessential cultural and language resources has language phrases for 25 different languages.

TandemPlus Program: If you already know the language of the country you are traveling to, you may want to practice your language skills with a native speaker. The TandemPlus program arranges individual face-to-face partnerships as well as electronic exchanges. Current College of Liberal Arts students are given priority in the matching process. TandemPlus welcomes participants from throughout the University and from the broader community. Contact TandemPlus online or call 612-626-6050.

Cultural Differences

Learn about the cultural differences and cultural rules: Different cultures have different values and norms of behavior. For example, there may be great differences in gender roles in your country of research. This is especially true in countries where women are less likely to be university or formally educated. The student/professor relationship may be more formal than in the United States, and you may be expected to dress or act accordingly. These are cultural phenomena, and need to be respected. You may not agree with the policies and norms, but you should plan to function in that context to accomplish your goals. These cultural differences will need to be factored into your research plan and timeline. Cultural rules for access to resources, people, and materials should also be taken into consideration. What constitutes good research strategy in the United States may not work well elsewhere.

How do things work? Being abroad will entail learning to function in different bureaucracies, including other universities and academic departments, businesses, and government agencies. Secretaries and other "front line" workers can be good sources of information, as can co-workers, neighbors, and other Americans who have had experience in your country of research.

What to take: Don't take for granted that the same equipment available here will be available in your host country. Assess what you will need and what you can gain access to abroad. Consider whether your destination country has easy access to research or office supplies that you may need, and take supplies with you accordingly. A cell phone might be useful to you, but check whether you need special equipment or service to function at your destination. Before you leave for your trip, contact your advisor and discuss expectations on keeping in contact about your research while you are abroad.

Meet people from the country you are visiting before you leave: Whether you expect great cultural differences or not, you may wish to talk to some people from the country you will be visiting before you leave to get some idea of what will be expected of you. There are people from more than a hundred different countries on campus, and the Office of International Programs has a list of international student groups you can contact. Call (612) 624-5580. International Student and Scholar Services sponsors Small World Coffee Hour during the academic year. This is a good place to meet students and scholars from around the world.

The Minnesota International Center (MIC), a non-profit community organization, offers many programs that allow Americans and foreign visitors to meet and socialize. Contact MIC online or at 612-625-4421.

Look at OIP's international contacts and exchanges: OIP has a database of current exchanges and contacts between the University of Minnesota and universities and institutions abroad.

Look at online resources: http://globaledge.msu.edu/ or http://www.culturegramsIK.com/

Protocols and Follow-Up

Even though you will have thoroughly prepared your research project before leaving the United States, once you enter your host country you will rely on the assistance of others to help you find, interpret, and analyze the information you need. Academic colleagues, librarians, local informants, and other workers in the bureaucracy will probably be of great assistance to you. Be sensitive that your priorities and timeline may not be theirs. As a researcher, you should be conscious of the time and financial burdens a request may place on an individual or organization.

Gift giving: Consider taking University of Minnesota memorabilia or other Minnesota "artifacts" along with you to give as gifts. While gift giving is culture specific and should be appropriate to the relationship, academic colleagues would most likely appreciate university insignia items that can be used or displayed in offices. The University Bookstore has a wide selection of gifts. To learn about how different cultures view gift giving see:

Business cards: Consider having business or name cards printed before you go. Have your host country address printed on the cards if possible. These are useful when making contacts with foreign colleagues. Contact OIP for questions or assistance with international business or name cards.

Follow-up: Those who have helped you at the research stage may be interested in your results and conclusions. You may want to send them a progress report or a summary of your final results. If they have been particularly important to your research, mentioning their names in the introduction or acknowledgments to your thesis would be appropriate. Maintaining contacts with these associates will be a long-term investment for further research and follow-up.