Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs

Lead a Faculty-led Short-term Study Abroad Program

Leading a program abroad is both a challenging and rewarding experience! Successful international faculty-led programs are a result of a collaborative effort between the program leader, International Programs & Services (IPS), collegiate units, and departments. We find that students choose faculty-led programs as a way to incorporate study abroad without altering academic, professional, and personal responsibilities during their college career. 

Our staff will support you in planning a faculty-led program abroad:

• Program development support
• Selecting a provider/partner for on-site services
• Budgeting & setting the program fee
• Marketing (web, digital, & print)
• Student application process
• Student orientation topics, resources, & support
• Course set-up and student registration
• Health, safety, and risk management training and planning

Get Started:

• Review the Faculty-Led Program Leader Handbook.
• Review the Program Leader Checklist to facilitate timely proposal and promotion of your program.

Attend a New Study Abroad Program Leader Workshop

• 2020 Workshop Dates TBD

>> REGISTRATION FORM TO COME | Learn how to plan for and develop a faculty-led short-term study abroad program. 

• Discuss your program idea with IPS and identify areas where you have questions or need support.
• Work with IPS to choose a provider/partner to assist you with on-site logistics. Your on-site provider can also serve as a "second program leader". This fulfills the UMN Education Abroad policy which can lower the program fee (details below).
• Conduct a site visit to become familiar with your program location, on-site partner, and to perform a "test run" of your program. Funding is available through the University of Minnesota. Additionally, study abroad program providers and universities can assist with planning a site visit. They may also have funding and resources available.

IPS and the Study Abroad Faculty Advisory Council review proposals. Program approval is competitive because of limited resources. IPS strives to offer a diverse portfolio of programs each year.

Program Providers & Partners

Faculty-led Short-term programs must work with a program provider or partner. These providers/partners provide on-site services, expertise, logistical arrangements, and on-site risk management support. Providers/partners can also serve as a second program leader, which adheres to the UMN Education Abroad Policy.

IPS has existing affiliate study abroad program providers. Explore their custom programming options:

• (AIFS) American Institute for Foreign Study
• (API) Academic Programs International
• (ASA) Academic Studies Abroad
• (CEA) CEA Study Abroad
• (CIS) CISabroad
• (ISA) International Studies Abroad
• (LAC) UMN Twin Cities Learning Abroad Center
• Other: IPS can recommend other approved program providers in addition to this list if needed

Provider Criteria

Providers should be chosen based on the following criteria:

• Knowledge of and experience in the location(s) to be visited
• Ability to provide expertise, suggestions, and/or guest lecturer(s) for the academic area of your course and on-site activities
• The reputation of services as evidenced by recommendations from other educational institutions
• Understanding of U.S. safety protocols and the ability to provide safety and security guidance to participants
• Transparency in financial arrangements
• Disclosure of relationships with campus staff to avoid conflicts and ethics violations
• Cost—recognizing that factors such as experience, expertise, and the provision of appropriate lodging, meals, safe transportation, etc., are often more important than lower cost

Submit a Faculty-led Study Abroad Program Proposal

Download and complete the correct proposal form below, then submit it (and all accompanying documentation) by NOVEMBER 1 to IPS at 138 Kirby Plaza. 

• >> NEW Faculty-led Study Abroad Program Proposal Form 
• >> RETURNING Faculty-led Study Abroad Proposal Form (this form is for programs that have run within the last 3 years, with no significant academic or on-site changes. Contact our office if you are unsure of which form to complete.)

Contact:

Lyndsey Andersen
Associate Director, Study Abroad