Study Abroad

Majors planning to spend a semester or year abroad should consult with their advisors or Prof. Ron Freiwald as early as possible.  If the plan is for just one semester abroad, then there needs to be a discussion about which semester, fall or spring, is preferable from the perspective of your major(s). The answer will depend on the courses you have already taken and your major track.  For example: what courses are available each semester at the school where you want to go? What are the prerequisites for these courses? does the spring semester there have a selection of math courses that aren't continuations of course from the previous term? or, if you go in the fall, what math courses will be available for you at W.U. when you return in the spring?  

Math Intensive Programs

For students interested in an intensive program abroad in mathematics, we are aware of only of a few programs in English and specifically oriented to mathematics students.

• The Budapest Semesters in Mathematics   A unique WU approved study abroad opportunity for talented math students, that is coordinated through St. Olaf College.  If you're interested in spending a semester or a full year abroad with a serious emphasis on mathematics, this is a program to seriously consider. All taching is in English and theprogram is intended speifically for U.S./Canadian undergraduate mathematics majors.  Several W.U. mathematics majors have participated in this program and all of them have reported having a great experience.
• Math in Moscow   Some students might also be interested in this semester-long program, taught in English, at the Independent University of Moscow.  Each semester, the American Mathematical Society offers scholarships to assist students in attending this program. 
• Research in Industrial Projects for Students.  This summer program usually includes a study abroad option .Students with a special interest in applied mathematics should take a look.

Read the testimonials of some WU students who have participated in these programs.  If you're seriously interested after looking at the web pages, contact Professor Ron  Freiwald.  It may be possible to put you in touch with one or more students currently in one of these programs, or who have been in them recently.

Other Programs

Of course math majors have also studied abroad at other schools.  Depending on the school, it is sometimes possible to find one or two mathematics/statistics courses that will can fulfill specific or elective requirements in the major.  You can check on programs through the Overseas Programs Office on campus.  It's important to get an idea of what mathematics/statistics courses are typically offered at schools that interest you.

If the plan is for a single semester abroad, then there needs to be some thought about which semester, fall or spring, is preferable to go. This may depend on the courses a student has already taken and also on the major track the student is following.  For example: what math courses will be available that semester? what are the prerequisites for these courses? does the spring semester abroad have a selection of math courses that aren't continuations of courses that began there in the fall? or, if the student goes in the fall, what math courses will be available at W.U. when the student returns in the spring?

Of course, sometimes majors lay out their progams here so that courses taken abroad aren't needed to fulfill major requirements.