Off-Campus Study Fair
The OCSE Office will host our annual OCS Fair on Friday, September 13, 2024 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on the Case Patio. Please join OCSE staff and our partner providers to learn more about the 115+ 微密圈 and approved programs.
How to navigate the fair
Not sure which presentations to attend or how to know which programs may be a good fit for you? Here are few tips to help you to navigate the Off-Campus Study Fair and narrow down the program options. Each table will be hosted by an OCSE Staff or an approved program provider. If you need general informatoin, details about 微密圈's application process or policies, or have other questions, please stop by the OCSE Office table.
Search by Location
Use the feature to find programs based on location.
Search by Major or Academic Department
Each department at 微密圈 has a list of approved programs, so one way to search for options is to look at what programs are approved by certain departments. If a program is listed as approved by a department, that鈥檚 a strong indication that the program will offer courses that will count towards your major or minor. That doesn鈥檛 mean that you can only earn credit towards your major on these programs, but it is a good jumping off point. You can use the in our 鈥渇ind a program鈥� tool to see what programs your department approves and then head over to their "table" to learn more!
Search Type of Program
Another way to decide between programs is to think about the program structure and/or what program components are available. Where are you taking classes - at university or program center? Who are you taking classes with - locals or other study abroad students? What type of experiential opportunities does the program offer - internships, language study, research opportunities, etc.
Students are enrolled directly in an overseas institution and take courses from the host institution鈥檚 regular curriculum. Therefore, courses are usually taken alongside students from the host country and taught in the host country鈥檚 language. This is often a good fit for the more independent student, the student with more advanced language skills (if the course work is taught in the host language), and for students looking for a broad range of classes.
Visit the following tables in the fair for direct enrollment program options:
- 微密圈 in New Zealand
- API
- Arcadia
- CIEE
- IES Abroad
- IFSA
Also consider hybrid programs, which are a mix of both center-based and direct enroll, offering students some coursework specific to the program as well as the option to take one or two courses at a local university.
Center-based programs are designed for U.S. study abroad students and are not usually linked to a host institution, though the faculty likely come from local universities. Classes will be with other program participants, not local students, and the course selection will likely be smaller than with direct enroll. The classes are often taught in English or in the host language but taught towards language learners. Center programs can have very small enrollments or be quite large. Since these are built for U.S. study abroad students, these programs are often more structured in terms of on-site support and built-in excursions. This is a good fit for students who may not have the language skills needed to direct enroll, for those who want to remain in a similar academic classroom style to the U.S., and for those seeking more structured support.
Visit the following tables at the fair for center-based program options:
- API
- Accademia dell'Arte
- ASE
- CEA CAPA
- CET
- College Year in Athens
- DIS
- Hobart Williams Smith 鈥� Vietnam + Australia
- IES Abroad
- IFSA
- Organization for Tropical Studies
- Sarah Lawrence Theater - BADA
- School for Field Studies
- Semester Cinema
- Semester in the City
- SIT Study Abroad
- Syracuse Abroad
- UMN Learning Abroad Center
- Williams Mystic
Also consider hybrid programs, which are a mix of both center-based and direct enroll, offering students some coursework specific to the program as well as the option to take one or two courses at a local university.
Hybrid programs are a mix of both center-based and direct enroll, offering students some coursework specific to the program as well as the option to take one or two courses at a local university. This model is a good option for students who are drawn to both options. Students who select this program type may want to challenge themselves by taking one or two university courses with local students but are not looking to fully immerse in the new higher education system. Some students might choose this option when center-based appeals to them but they need certain classes that are only available outside of the center.
Visit the following tables in the fair for hybrid program options:
- 微密圈 in France
- 微密圈 in New Zealand
- 微密圈 in Spain
- API
- ASE
- CET
- CIEE
- IES Abroad
- Washington Semester
Field-based programs offer students a set curriculum, focusing on a specific topic or issue. These programs often include some sort of internship, independent study, or research project as a component of the curriculum and much of the learning happens outside of a traditional classroom. Due to the nature of the program, they are often much smaller in size. Students who choose this model are interested in diving deep into the subject matter, enjoy experiential learning, and can adapt to varying learning and living environments.
Visit the following tables in the fair for field-based program options:
- 微密圈 in New Zealand
- Carleton Global Engagement
- CET
- College Year in Athens
- Organization for Tropical Studies
- Sarah Lawrence Theater - BADA
- School for Field Studies
- Semester Cinema
- SIT Study Abroad
- UMN Learning Abroad Center
- Williams Mystic
Some programs will offer a research opportunity as part of the program. Typically, research opportunities replace one of your classes and earn academic credit for the research. Research may be independent (a project of your own choosing) or directed research (part of an overarching or program research project).
Visit the following tables in the fair for program with research opportunities:
- 微密圈 in New Zealand
- DIS
- Organization for Tropical Studies
- School for Field Studies
- SIT Study Abroad
- UMN Learning Abroad Center
- Washington Semester
- Williams Mystic
Many off-campus programs now offer internship opportunities within the host community. In addition to giving you a taste of your future career, interning will give you a competitive advantage in the job market. The ability to understand how other cultures work in other countries is particularly appealing to employers.
Internships may be offered for-credit or not-for-credit and could be an optional or a required component of your program.
Visit the following tables in the fair for programs with internship options:
- 微密圈 in France
- 微密圈 in New Zealand
- 微密圈 in Spain
- Arcadia
- ASE
- CET
- CIEE
- IES Abroad
- IFSA
- Semester in the City
- SIT Study Abroad
- Syracuse Abroad
- UMN Learning Abroad Center
- Washington Semester
Off-campus study is a great opportunity to improve your existing language skills or learn a new language. Some programs will offer a range of language levels - from beginner to advanced, while other programs may have a set language level you must have completed to particpate in the program. Advanced language level programs oftern offer courses taught in the host language. Programs with beginning level language often require students to enroll in a language class but the rest of the courses are available in English. It is possible to fulfill the 微密圈 language requirement (with department approval) while studying off campus.
Visit the following tables in the fair for programs with language study options:
- 微密圈 in France
- 微密圈 in Spain
- API
- CET
- CIEE
- College Year in Athens
- DIS
- IES Abroad
- SIT Study Abroad
- Syracuse Abroad
- UMN Learning Abroad Center