Academic Guidelines for Study Abroad Students

Beginning fall 2011, all students studying abroad on a quarter length or longer program will need to consider the following:

Students should complete at least one course while abroad on the history, culture, society, politics, economics, or geography of the country/region in which the program is located.
Students should participate in language instruction offered by the program as appropriate.

You will be asked about your course selection while abroad in a post-study abroad survey.

Students may also be expected to participate in an assessment of their experience abroad, which may include a zero-credit course called "Reflections From Abroad." The course is a pass/fail, zero credit course and is designed to help students reflect purposefully on their study abroad experience. This course may be made up of two components (one while you are abroad and the other upon your return) and will be assessed by your academic advisor. The two components may require that:
- Students create a personal on-line portfolio. The portfolio project could be a combination of various media that encourage you to think and reflect on your cultural experiences while you are abroad. You may be regularly sent questions or topics to reflect upon.
- Students write a final reflection paper (5 pages) or prepare a multi-media on-line project about something significant that you learned or experienced abroad. You may be required to upload your paper or project to an on-line portfolio by the end of the quarter following your return to DU.
If you are selected to participate in the above assessment portfolio and course, you will be notified prior to departure for study abroad.

There may be alternative requirements and required participation in pilot projects for the assessment of DU's study abroad experiences. Any such projects or pilots are intended to evaluate and improve DU's study abroad programs. In all cases, further instructions and more specific details on expectations for any assessment requirements and pilots will be posted on this website and emailed to all students studying abroad.

The University of Denver has identified four major learning outcomes for study abroad:

Students learn about the distinctive character of other countries or regions of the world and their relationship to their own sense of history and culture.
Students gain new perspectives on their majors and/or minors.
Students can improve their foreign language skills.
Students develop their intercultural skills and competencies.

Students should consider these outcomes when choosing coursework abroad and completing their study abroad assignments.