Study Abroad Site Visits for faculty and academic advisers generate an understanding of and enthusiasm for study abroad opportunities available to undergraduate students of the University of Minnesota. Faculty and advisers gain a better understanding of the design and operation of various programs, and are exposed to and experience the academic climate and local culture in which their students are immersed during study abroad. More broadly, faculty and advisers gain insight into the skills and perceptions that students acquire when they study abroad. As a component of Study Abroad Curriculum Integration, financial support for these Site Visits has been made possible by the Office of International Programs and the Learning Abroad Center.

Types of Study Abroad Site Visits
Facilitated Site Visits: The Study Abroad Curriculum Integration initiative, with representatives from all five campuses of the University of Minnesota, offers Facilitated Site Visits. Click here for current information on the Site Visits destinations. Facilitated Site Visits allow small groups of faculty and advisers to participate in organized visits to a variety of programs. Applicants need to provide partial funding for their site visit. This partial funding ($500) may come from the participant's academic unit, college, or from the participants themselves. The University of Minnesota provides funding to cover the remaining costs, including airfare, ground transportation, and reasonable food and lodging expenses. Submission of an application is required for participation. Applications (see details below) are due April 4, 2008.

Individual Site Visits: Faculty and advisers already going abroad for research or other reasons may apply for funding to visit a nearby study abroad program site. Interested faculty and advisers should read the following information, but not complete the linked application. Support from your home campus’ international programs unit is required. Please contact Gayle Woodruff at 612.625.6065 or gwoodruf@umn.edu.

Expectations While Onsite
University of Minnesota faculty and advisers receiving funding through Study Abroad Site Visits are expected to participate in the program and duplicate the student experience as closely as possible. Either through a Facilitated Site Visit or an Individual Site Visit, participants do as many of the following as possible:

• Attend several different classes
• Meet with students
• Tour facilities such as residence halls, computer labs, dining halls
• Have informal discussions with local faculty, personnel, and students
• Participate in scheduled field trips
• Attend other activities organized on site

1. Complete a Study Abroad Site Visit Report to help the academic unit and the study abroad office better understand how study abroad can be incorporated into the curriculum.
2. Complete an on-line evaluation of site visit organization and logistics.
3. Organize one presentation to faculty, advisers, and students to share insights and experiences.
4. Advocate for Study Abroad Curriculum Integration in the academic unit and for University of Minnesota study abroad programs. Participants become a resource for faculty, advisers, and students on their campus and work closely with their campus’ study abroad office.

• Please refer to the Site Visit descriptions for eligibility requirements specific to each Site Visit location.
• Applicants must have served as an adviser or faculty to undergraduate students for at least one full academic year at the time of application.
• Applicants must demonstrate a prior and successful commitment to promoting study abroad among advisees.
• Applicants must develop a workable plan to increase future undergraduate study abroad participation.
• Applicants must have explicit approval from their supervisor to apply for a site visit.
• Applicants need to find partial funding for the site visit ($500) from their academic unit, college, or on their own

1. Your advising role with undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota.
2. Rationale for visiting the chosen program sites (please be specific on how it relates to your academic unit and target student population).
3. Your academic unit’s past attempts and/or successes in promoting study abroad to undergraduates.
4. Plans for how your academic unit will collaborate with the study abroad office on campus.
5. Indicate that your supervisor supports your participation in a site visit.
6. Please indicate on your application if you might need accommodations based on the physical nature of these visits.