Study Abroad

Spending time abroad is a valuable professional and personal endeavor. Given the worldwide scope and impact of engineering, global competence and intercultural skills are an extremely valuable asset to the workplace and in life. Studying abroad helps you develop and hone these skills. Colorado School of Mines encourages students to include an international study/research/volunteer experience in their undergraduate and/or graduate education.

The Education Abroad division in the Office of Global Education helps students prepare to study abroad from their first initial interest until they return to campus. The Education Abroad team will liaise with the appropriate stakeholders to support the student in applying to a host university abroad, selecting courses, and other pre-departure preparations.  

Mines maintains student exchange programs with engineering universities in South America, Europe, Oceania, Africa, and Asia. Courses taken at a partner university abroad can fulfill an equivalent course at Mines if they are pre-approved and successfully passed with a grade of C- or better. Transfer credit is awarded; a student's GPA is not affected by courses taken abroad.

Education Abroad also assists faculty with the development of faculty-led courses abroad during the summer and school breaks.

Financial aid and selected scholarships and grants can be used to finance approved study abroad programs. International university partners may occasionally have additional scholarship funding for study abroad or internship programs. There are a few national study abroad scholarship opportunities available. More information can be found in the Office of Global Education.

Students wishing to pursue study abroad opportunities, either coursework or research, should contact the Office of Global Education in the Green Center, Suite 219. Staff in the office are happy to meet one on one to discuss opportunities abroad. Drop-in times are available each day or students can make an appointment by visiting https://mines.edu/global/.

FIRST-YEAR SEMESTER ABROAD EXPERIENCE

Colorado School of Mines now offers a First-Year Semester Abroad Experience (FYSAE) for incoming students. This innovative experience brings Mines students to Antibes, France, a city along the breathtaking French Riviera. As part of a collaborative and tight-knit cohort, students take STEM-focused courses and humanities that are equivalent to the courses taught on the Golden campus. Students start their undergraduate experience abroad and then seamlessly return to the Mines campus for their second semester. 

Experience benefits:

  • Participation in a signature experience in Antibes where the Mines cohort joins other students from around the world.
  • Take Mines-approved courses that keep students on track toward their degree.
  • A full-time resident director will support students throughout the experience, providing guidance, support, and tutoring.
  • Explore the French Riviera and surrounding area through organized excursions, volunteer days, culinary workshops, and more.
  • Gain intercultural awareness, professional skills and a more inclusive, worldly perspective.
  • Participate in pre-departure and re-entry orientations to feel connected to the Mines community.

Experience all of the above for costs similar to studying on the Mines campus (with the exception of flight and visa costs) while staying on track to graduate with a Mines degree.