Plan Your Education Abroad

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Education abroad significantly enhances future goals by providing unique academic opportunities, valuable career advantages, and personal growth. Students benefit from exposure to diverse teaching methods, which broadens their knowledge and skills. This international experience is highly valued by employers, as it fosters adaptability, cross-cultural awareness, and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, abroad experiences boosts self-confidence and cultural understanding while improving language skills. Ultimately, it can clarify personal and professional aspirations and create a global network of connections that support long-term success in various endeavors.

For any education abroad experience South Dakota Mines students must have at least a 2.75 GPA to qualify.

 

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Sign up for the Education Abroad Announcements

These announcements are sent out once a week with a lot of current information,
highlights, degree program options, upcoming opportunities and more. 

Email the Ivanhoe International Center to get access to the D2L online checklists to start planning your education abroad experience and keep track of what you do.

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When you have an idea or are ready to learn more, fill out this form to connect
with the Ivanhoe International Center staff. They will contact you to set an
appointment and start you on your journey abroad

Connect with the Department Point of Contact to help you match academic needs.

 

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Explore Program Options

  • Keep track of the different programs you are exploring.
  • Education Abroad Options Matrix - this spreadsheet is an example of how to evaluate and keep track of different programs so you can find them again.
  • Items to help evaluate:
  • Country of interest
  • Language of instruction
  • Classes that interest you - choose more than you think you need.
  • Cost of the program, what is covered (room and board, excursions, transportation, etc.), and how much you can expect to spend while abroad.
  • Application deadlines
  • Length of Program (semester, trimester, summer, etc.)
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Budget

  • A budget will help you evaluate what program is right for you and your family, if they are involved.
  • This video will help you start your Budget Journey: Finances and Costs  Overview (2:39 min.)
    Here's a sample budget form  to help you determine approximately how much you will need and additional items to consider, such as:
    Vaccinations needed in host country, Insurance, Visa requirements (every country is different)
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Passport

  • Passports take time to apply for and receive.
  • Please keep these items in mind:
  • You must have a passport book, not a card
  • What is the difference?
    A passport card is only for Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda for land border crossings or sea ports of entry.
    A passport card can be used as ID for domestic flights. It cannot be used for international air travel.

Next Steps

If you have not been added to the Education Abroad D2L Module, let us know by emailing the Ivanhoe International Center. This module has a lot of checklists to help you plan and keep track of your progress to go abroad.

Top Questions Students Ask

Go as early as your freshman year, or if you are a transfer student, in your second semester. It depends on what you want to do, how long you want to be gone, and where you want to go. Many students have had multiple education abroad experiences during their time at South Dakota Mines.

No, not at all! There are so many options, from short-term to summer, week, etc. It all depends on your goals and preferences.

We work with you and your department before you leave to make sure the classes you are taking will transfer to South Dakota Mines. Students may choose courses that won't count toward their degree simply because they are interested in those courses. Courses like that may transfer to South Dakota Mines as a general elective.

Only sometimes! A variety of programs are taught in English; however, learning the language can help you more fully adjust to the country's culture and area. The benefits of a foreign language can help in future career opportunities by enhancing your worldview and improving your personal skills in areas such as critical thinking (adapting to new circumstances), multitasking, and non-verbal communication.

Cost will vary based on what you are doing and your destination. It will also depend on if you will do an exchange, direct enroll, third party provider, or other type of education abroad experience. Each option has different benefits. 

  • Attend an education abroad session (We have one each semester.)
  • Talk to the Ivanhoe International Center staff
  • Sign up for the announcements email list - we send information about different opportunities and programs that may be of interest to you. This is for current students only.