IPS Summer Program

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July 6-31, 2026

Program Features:

Welcome reception & orientation
Course instruction by UMD faculty
Course related field trips, tours, & excursions
Afternoon & evening activities
Weekend excursions
Farewell potluck & certificate ceremony

Included in the program:

On-campus dormitory accommodations
Meals
Airport pickup/drop off

Total Program Cost: $3,400

The Summer Institute is designed to immerse university students in an American cultural experience through a variety of mediums. The Institute will stretch the lens through which students see themselves and their world by engaging them in cross-cultural relationship building experiences, open dialogue, and reflections with peers from diverse backgrounds. Using a multi-disciplinary approach which mirrors the complexity of the real world, this course provides students with valuable communication and intercultural skills, as well as key relationships with people from all over the globe, both valuable tools for their future careers.

Through close mentorship by university faculty, you will further develop your intercultural competence by applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. You will hone important interpersonal skills including active listening, negotiation, interviewing, and conflict resolution to more fully prepare yourself for success in our diverse and interconnected world.

Throughout the Institute, you will collaborate to tell a story in a documentary format by moving through the different stages of creation using every part of the living experience to illustrate individuality and creativity. Upon completion of the Institute, a local theater will screen collaborative projects to demonstrate first-hand the power of the creative potential and the tapestry of unique perceptions.

Extracurricular activities will involve campus and community engagements, as well as excursions throughout Duluth and Northern Minnesota; resulting in lifelong friendships and memories.

Previous Program Highlights

Program Structure

Foundations of Intercultural Communication: Workshops introduce participants to key concepts in intercultural communication, such as cultural identity, perception, and the impact of culture on communication styles. Through case studies, discussions, and activities, students develop a toolkit for respectful and effective cross-cultural engagement.

Global Storytelling: Film as a Cultural Lens: Participants learn how film can serve as a window into different cultural worlds. Through screenings of culturally diverse films, students analyze how film captures cultural nuances and communicates across cultural boundaries.

Intercultural Story Circles: Participants share stories from their own cultural backgrounds and learn to navigate cross-cultural dialogues. These sessions foster respect, curiosity, and openness, encouraging participants to reflect on their own cultural perspectives and biases.

Collaborative Film Projects with an Intercultural Focus: Students create short films that showcase intercultural themes. Each participant contributes elements of their culture to the project, creating a film that weaves together varied cultural narratives and perspectives.

Interactive Cultural Film Screenings and Discussions: The Institute will feature film screenings that highlight intercultural themes, followed by discussions on cultural interpretation, intercultural empathy, and the role of film in shaping cultural understanding.

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Sample Itinerary