Study Away and Study Abroad Programs

Types of study away and study abroad programs

• Hamline faculty-led programs

  Designed by Hamline faculty and the GEC to highlight a course and abroad location(s).

  These programs are only for Pipers, and have high support levels while abroad. These programs offer specific courses and may have some prerequisites for that class. Programs are small (10–20 students) and vary from term to term.

  Program highlights:

  • Hamline faculty and Hamline students
  • High support/involvement
  • Highly structured/planned itinerary
  • Hamline specific course
  • Small program cohort (10–20 students)
  • GEC built, campus colleague support

  Upcoming opportunities: 

  • January 2026 Study Away Opportunity in Belize
• Exchange programs

  Institutions around the world create special agreements with Hamline University. Pipers have access to courses and resources at the foreign institution and benefit from a highly immersive program. Most programs do not require any prior language experience, but check the online application for more details. Some of Hamline’s most popular programs are exchanges.

  Program highlights

  • Cost effective (Hamline aid)
  • Immersive experience — international students
  • Meet new peers from around the globe
  • Wide course selection
  • Support on campus and GEC online
  • Can be language immersive
• SPAN

  Travel a world away with SPAN@Hamline

  The Student Project for Amity among Nations, SPAN, Minnesota’s oldest study-abroad program, is now at Hamline University and ready to take Pipers and other students abroad for a unique program

  Founded in 1947 by a group of Minnesota students and faculty who saw the need for international understanding, SPAN has continued to serve student researchers in Minnesota to this day. In over seven decades, more than 2,500 SPANners have visited 85 countries on six continents. Nearly 100 SPANners have been graduates of Hamline University.

  When participating in a SPAN@Hamline program, students have access to the knowledge of generations of SPANners through the Minnesota SPAN Association, a non-profit organization set up to help support current students through an alumni network, volunteer opportunities, and by providing scholarships.

  SPAN@Hamline overview

  The program at Hamline University includes preparatory coursework and summertime research abroad, followed by the completion of a substantive research paper or project. Throughout these three phases of the program, students receive hands-on mentorship from faculty and have access to professionals and overseas resources to more fully answer a research question. Students pursue interviews with experts on their self-chosen topics.

  Students interested in participating on SPAN@Hamline will:

  • Develop a research proposal on a self-chosen topic
  • Conduct fieldwork abroad with assistance from Hamline's abroad partners
  • Be part of a cohort when abroad with Hamline staff with knowledge of the research destination
  • Be mentored by faculty who are trained researchers
  • Earn 6 Hamline University credits in the summer term
  • Be eligible for SPAN scholarships to assist with research/travel costs
  • Grow professionally, personally, and academically
  • Make international connections and build on global citizenship

  SPAN seeks to attract independent-minded, self-driven students. With SPAN@Hamline, participants prepare for research abroad by enrolling in an in-depth research methods course and destination specific orientations prior to departure. At the end of the fall semester (following the summer abroad), students will write a substantive research paper or produce a hybrid project that has been reviewed by several faculty researchers.

• Program providers

  These programs are offered by trusted organizations based in the US and allow students a wide variety of choice in location, timing, and subject areas. Students can also choose internships and service learning for academic credit options with some of these organizations. You study away with people from all over the US and worldwide for a very unique international experience. Most programs are taught in English, but there are language immersion programs as well!

  Program highlights

  • Course selection based on location
  • Meet new peers from around the globe
  • Excursions and cultural activities planned
  • Wide location and program length options
  • Support of provider in country and GEC online
  • Can be language immersive, internship, service learning, and other models

  Search for program provider offerings by visiting Hamline’s study away search page.

• Internship and research programs

  Study away and study abroad programs typically provide academic credit for work at an internship or volunteer abroad. Students can work with the Career Development Center at Hamline to fulfill LEAP requirements abroad as well.