Go global at the U of M

Hello, future Gophers! Winter is upon us here in Minnesota. The snow has fallen and our landscape is now a picturesque winter wonderland. As much as I love the seasons of Minnesota, winter is usually the time of year I begin to daydream of destinations faraway. Lucky for me (and you!), the University of Minnesota is home to the nation's largest study abroad program. Our Learning Abroad Center supports the collective wanderlust of our students. Check out their website to learn more about the 300+ programs and 60 countries you can visit as a University of Minnesota student.

As an undergraduate student at the U of M, I studied abroad in London, England. London may not have provided me with much of a climate shift, but as an English major, it was the perfect place to study--I learned Shakespeare in the country where he wrote and lived. I spent my days reading his great works and my nights attending perfomances at historic sites like the Globe Theater or the Open Air Theater in Regents Park. My words of advice for study abroad are simple and concise: GO! It's hard to pinpoint another chapter of your life when you will get an extended length of time off to travel, live, and study in the location of your choice.

Check out the amazing trips and experiences of a few of our current students in the videos below. Join them in their journeys and begin to plan your own!

Josh's Story



John's Story



Katie's Story

A Golden Gopher Sing-a-long!

Hello Gopher fans! As a former U of M student and a long-time supporter of gopher athletics, I am so excited to be part of our Big 10 tradition on campus!

I have certainly enjoyed wearing my maroon and gold for Big Ten athletics throughout my time as a student and now as an alum! Students at the U of M cheer on the Golden Gophers in 23 Division One sports.

This past fall students and alumni alike experienced the Ultimate Homecoming when Gopher Football moved into its new home at the TCF Bank Stadium. On-campus activities like Homecoming provide great opportunities for gopher fans to kick back and relax with other U of M students and alumni, not to mention enjoy free food, entertainment, and more!

Check out the new stadium and what everyone is saying about the great new space!



As you can see singing our school song is among the many traditions during a Big 10 game day. Whether you love to sing or can't carry a tune, all Gopher fans sing along and of course chant the Minnesota Rouser!

Now that you've heard Hail Minnesota, the Minnesota School Song, it's time to learn our school rouser! Both of these tunes are Minnesota classics that you will learn, know, and love after attending a game or two in support of the Golden Gophers!

Welcome to Minnesota!

Welcome Week is an exciting rite of passage for each incoming freshman class at the U of M. It's an on-campus program designed to complement your orientation experience, provide opportunities to enhance your academic and personal success, and give you an edge in starting college. Most importantly, you will meet your fellow classmates, move in to your residence hall, and have a lot of fun!

Part of Welcome Week is the Pride and Spirit event--where you'll learn the alma mater, U of M cheers, and form a huge "M" with your entire class on the field of our brand-new TCF Bank Stadium!

Check out this cool time-lapse video of the "M" formation:



And click here to learn more about Welcome Week!

Location, location, location

Did you know that the University of Minnesota is in the heart of a vibrant metropolitan area? Our historic campus is right in the center of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Our great location give students incredible access to internships, research opportunities, service learning courses, entertainment, cultural activities, and much more!

Click here to learn more about the U of M's great location and visit our student blog to get the inside scoop on what students do for fun on campus and off.

If you have any questions about the Twin Cities or the U of M, I'd love to hear them!

Getting to know me

Hi! My name is Meghan Jones, and I am the admissions counselor for students from Illinois who are considering the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities as a college option. This blog is a way for you to learn about exciting things going on at the U of M and in the vibrant, metropolitan Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I'll also be providing lots of helpful information about admissions, campus life, majors, and more.

One perk of having me as your admissions counselor is that I am a U of M alumna. I love to share my college experiences with students, so if you want to know about something...just ask! Go Gophers!

I am a native Minnesotan, and I grew up in a suburb of St. Paul, Minn., called Hastings. During my undergraduate years, I was a student in the University's English program in the College of Liberals Arts. This degree allowed me to explore language through literature, writing, and speaking. Through the English program and our fantastic study abroad office, I was able to participate in a Global Seminar in London, England, where we studied Shakespeare by reading and then viewing the places in historic theaters throughout England. It was an incredible way to connect with my department, my fellow English students, and see another part of the world!

I had a great experience at the U of M, and I invite you to explore the great opportunities and great academics that you could experience as a student here. A great place to start is our official Admissions Web site.

--Meghan

p.s. I love hearing from students. Got a question, or just want to say hi? Leave me a comment or email me at jone0844@umn.edu.