First-generation students have a new source of funding for study abroad, thanks to a new scholarship from the Learning Abroad Center. 

The scholarship is designed to increase the number of first-generation students studying abroad and ease the financial barriers to an experience abroad for students with demonstrated financial need.

The Education Abroad Network (EAN) and the Learning Abroad Center will be talking about the benefits of studying abroad during the fall semester and discussing some potential opportunities for additional involvement in EAN. There will also be a sneak preview of the Spring Semester topic, Student Mental Health and Studying Abroad with Dr. Laura Dupont-Jarrett.

Lunch will be provided.

Explore international study, intern, and community engagement opportunities at the Learning Abroad Fair. Meet with Learning Abroad Center staff, affiliated program staff, college advisers, and many other departments from around the U. The first 1,000 students get free sunglasses!

Registration is not required, but you can fill out this form to get a calendar invite and a reminder about the event.

In July, the Learning Abroad Center (LAC) brought on-site staff from around the world to Minnesota for a week-long workshop. These staff manage programs and support students while they are abroad, and this workshop is an opportunity to come together, meet in-person with LAC staff, learn about policies and procedures, and keep up with current issues in the field.

Attendees included resident directors and other on-site staff from the LAC’s programs in Argentina, Ecuador, France, Italy, Mexico, Senegal, Spain, and Thailand, and other partners from across the U.S.

Ann Hubbard began as the new assistant dean for learning abroad at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities on August 31. 

"Ann brings a wealth of experience and talent to the position that will enhance the Learning Abroad Center’s already outstanding national and international reputation," said Meredith McQuaid, associate vice president and dean of international programs.

Italy is known for its made-from-scratch food—from olive oil and balsamic vinegar to prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano. Fifteen students were able to get a taste of all that the country offers during a Learning Abroad Center program in May.

During the three-week Sustainable Food Systems of Sicily and Florence program, students toured local and regional food producers, discussing the ethical and environmental considerations for food production and consumption.

Zeel Patel was going back and forth about spending a semester abroad. She could have graduated a semester early, but studying abroad has always been on her bucket list.

“This was my opportunity to get out there and see what’s outside of the United States,” Patel said.

Patel, who is majoring in psychology and minoring in neuroscience, spent the fall 2021 semester on the Learning Abroad Center’s Psychology and Research in Madrid program. She interned at the Cajal Institute, a research center in neurobiology named for the father of modern neuroscience.