Study abroad provides a unique opportunity to live and study in another country while earning
U-M in-residence credits that will keep students on track for graduation. Programs can range anywhere from three weeks to an entire academic year. Depending on the type of experience students are hoping to have, U-M offers a variety of programs including custom, faculty-led programs, internships, university exchange, and more!
Getting Started
Because of U-M’s commitment to international education, there are many resources available to assist students who are looking for an international experience, including country-specific tips, funding, navigating identities abroad, and more. The offices listed below offer comprehensive information and periodic workshops to help students plan for their time abroad.
Funding Resources
The following websites contain information on study abroad scholarships and application deadlines:
Cognitive Science Abroad
Important: Cognitive science students who are considering studying abroad should first meet with an academic advisor to discuss their course records, and/or the process of submitting a course petition.
To submit a course petition to the Weinberg Institute for Cognitive Science, please fill out and submit the Cognitive Science Undergraduate Study Abroad Petition form. Please be advised that the Undergraduate Committee will only review up to three (3) study abroad course petitions per student per semester. Students submitting more than three (3) course petitions will be required to meet with an academic advisor.
The Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) has a number of programs that are well suited to students wishing to take Cog Sci courses abroad.
Please see the List of Previously Petitioned Study Abroad Courses.
Academic Credit for Cognitive Science Courses
To count toward the cognitive science major, all study abroad courses must be transferable into the University of Michigan and approved by the Weinberg Institute. Students may transfer up to 20 non-LSA credits, which may be used toward the graduation minimum of 120. Please reference the LSA Transfer Credit process.
Study Abroad Student Profile: Tess Tobin
Cognitive Science student Tess Tobin (Class of 2019) attended Hertford College at the University of Oxford in the U.K. from January through June 2018.
Major Track
Decision and Cognition
Academic Concentration
While at Oxford, Tess took four courses: Knowledge and Reality, Modern British Dramas, Philosophy of Cognitive Science, and Formal Modeling of Decisions, three of which counted toward her Cognitive Science degree. To make this happen, Tess worked closely with both her Michigan and Oxford advisors when selecting courses so that it would be a seamless transition. As for the structure of the courses, Tess explains, Oxford is unique in that classes are taught through the tutorial system requiring weekly one-on-one meetings with professors as opposed to traditional lectures or seminars.
Inspiration for Study-Abroad Location
It’s not always easy to choose a study-abroad location. For Tess, the choice was less about the geographic location and more about the program: “Oxford just seemed so mythical; I wanted to know what it was like to go there.”
Lasting Memories
“Living in Oxford is otherworldly,” says Tess. “It's more beautiful than you can possibly imagine. And it was also pretty amazing to experience another pedagogical style—their way of teaching, and their way of life, is completely different from here.”
Yet, Tess admits, she probably had the most fun while traveling in between her academic studies when students had six weeks off between terms. Her favorite travel destinations? “My two favorite places were Salzburg, Austria and Bergen, Norway," says Tess. "I also enjoyed taking casual day trips around England, particularly in London and the Cotswolds.” Tess was also fortunate to spend time in Paris, Berlin, Lisbon, Genoa, Turin, Venice, and Vienna!
Advice for Fellow Study-Abroad Students
For students considering a study-abroad opportunity, Tess has some practical tips to ensure the best experience:
“One--talk to your department advisors before choosing courses so you know they'll count. And two--buy a portable battery. When you're alone in a country where you don't speak the language, you don't want to worry that your phone will die.”
