Lead a Study Abroad Program
Leading a program abroad is both a challenging and rewarding experience! Successful international faculty-led programs result from 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 careers.
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.
Study Abroad Faculty-led Program Proposal due dates:
- Winter & spring break programs: December 1
- May & summer session programs: March 7
We look forward to reviewing proposals each year. 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. Prior to proposing a program, please read our handbook.
New Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Proposal
Returning Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Proposal
Thank you for your interest and don't hesitate to reach out with questions.
Attend a New Study Abroad Program Leader Workshop
- Learn how to plan for and develop a faculty-led 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.
Program Providers & Partners
Faculty-led 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
- (TEAN) The Education Abroad Network
- 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
Contact:
Briana Litz, M.Ed.
Interim Director
[email protected]
218-726-8764