Globalize Yourself
"It is important for American students to learn other languages, experience foreign cultures, and develop a broad understanding of global issues." - Colin Powell
There is a myriad of benefits from studying abroad besides just exciting travel opportunities.
Students who study abroad often gain a better understanding of other cultures leading to increased intercultural sensitivity and a more global perspective. In addition, research has demonstrated that even short-term study abroad programs can lead to increased linguistic proficiency in students who are dedicated to their language studies.
There are several programming options for study abroad offered by the Department of World Languages and Literature. Most of our programs are faculty-led, which gives both students and parents a direct contact person who has an in-depth knowledge of both the host and the home cultures.
For those students who are interested in pursuing other study abroad options, visit UNO’s International Studies and Programs website.
Study Abroad Opportunities for French Students
The Department of World Languages and Literature alternates our summer abroad programs in French between Besançon, France and Quebec City, Quebec. Contact the Department of World Language for this year’s program option.
Summer - UNO Summer Study Abroad Program in Besançon, France.
Option 1
This is a program intended for students at any level in French.
Students will be exposed to, or pursue their studies in, the four critical components in language learning: speaking, listening, writing and reading.
At the beginning of each session, students will receive a placement test. Depending on their level, they also will have the opportunity to take advanced workshops on various topics: cinema, theater, advanced writing, contemporary France.
Option 2
This program is catered specifically to French teachers and graduate students.
Meet other FLE (Français Langue Etrangère) teachers from all over the world! Learn new teaching strategies. Create oral or written activities for your French classes.
Explore new teaching styles. Learn to incorporate cultural artifacts in your teaching. Use technology effectively in your classes. Explore cultural topics (French songs, French cinema, Francophone literature).
Learn how to initiate young learners to a foreign culture.
Program-specific information and estimated costs. Please contact Dr. Juliette Parnell at jparnell@unomaha.edu for additional information.
UNO Summer Study Abroad Program in Quebec City, Quebec - Canada
Improve your French skills, participate in extra-curricular activities such as theater, sports, and music, and earn UNO credits during a five-week immersion program at Laval University in Quebec City.
The city itself, founded in 1608 by Champlain, has a great deal to offer both culturally and historically. Enjoy the "festival d'été" in July, when hundreds of French musicians give free concerts throughout the city. Join other students on university-sponsored cultural excursions to Montreal, the Laurentide Mountains, and the Saguenay Fjord (whale-watching). Students can live with a French family or choose dormitory accommodations.
Courses at every level are offered, with special interest courses in Quebec civilization, cinema, literature, and history for advanced students. Laval University also offers classes specifically for French teachers and our MALT students in French.
Please contact Dr. Patrice J. Proulx by email, or by telephone at 402.554.4839, for additional information.
Study Abroad Opportunities for German Students
UNO Summer Study Abroad Program in Braunschweig, Germany
Students are invited to participate in the six week summer session at the Technische Universität Braunschweig, our sister university in Germany. Students attend daily German language and “Landeskunde” classes as appropriate according to an initial placement test.
Advanced students take literature and culture courses. Classes are kept small for greater personal attention. Also included are cultural excursions to Berlin, Hamburg, the Harz mountains, and Wolfenbüttel. Students may earn up to 6 credit hours from UNO.
At least one year of college-level German is required for participation.
Please contact Dr. Gwyneth Cliver at gcliver@unomaha.edu for additional information.
Study Abroad Opportunities for Spanish Students
UNO Summer Study Abroad Program in Soria, Spain - 2025
Global Course - Spanish Language Immersion in Soria
Summer 2025: July 4 to Aug 9, 2025
Join UNO and the Centro Internacional Antonio Machado (CIAM) to experience the city of Soria, Spain, in a Spanish Language Immersion Global Course Program.
Students will have the opportunity to improve their Spanish language skills through coursework, homestays, tutoring, service-learning opportunities and other cultural activities.
With the diverse, historical landscape of this northern Spanish city, students will have the perfect setting to practice Spanish on a daily basis in Soria while earning 6 credits of Spanish that transfer to UNO.
Some highlights of this program:
- Students earn 6 credits toward their Spanish coursework at UNO.
- Students live with local families (they have their own private room, and share other parts of the house or apartment).
- The program is designed for students who are intermediate, advanced, and heritage speakers. We also offer options for graduate students.
- The program includes multiple excursions such as visits to Madrid and Segovia.
- Students in this program participate in service-learning. Service-learning placement is conducted with the student's input as to identify the best place for the student to engage with the community.
For more program details and to hear from Dr. Tocaimaza-Hatch, check out this video.
Global Courses are great for students who prefer more structure, want to build relationships with UNO faculty and peers, and would like a shorter-term program.
The e-brochure and application are now live in the MavsAbroad Portal: https://unomaha.via-trm.com/program_brochure/23219
Questions?
Contact Dr. Tocaimaza-Hatch at ctocaimazahatch@unomaha.edu
“I [...] also learned a lot in my service-learning. I was working with our group leader [...] teaching English to adult refugees from Venezuela, Colombia, and El Salvador. I loved doing that because it was good teaching experience for me (I want to be a teacher) and I got to practice my Spanish in an environment where everyone was friendly and understood how I felt because they were learning English."
Bethany H.
Summer 2019
UNO Summer Study Abroad Program in Mexico
Join UNO for a trip to Xalapa, Mexico, where students will improve upon their Spanish skills through coursework in language and history, tutoring sessions, homestays, and extracurricular activities such as courses in Mexican cooking and dancing.
Through this experience, students will learn how learn how international and national events have shaped Mexican culture. Also included in the trip are three weekend excursions to pre-Hispanic locations, cultural heritage sites, and the beach.
During this six-week study abroad experience, students will earn up to 6 credit hours from UNO. At least one year of college-level Spanish is required.
Please contact Dr. Laura Walls at lwalls@unomaha.edu for additional information