Carlson School: I-Core Abroad - Gold Block in Prague
Undergraduate Global ImmersionProgram Dates:
Spring 2026:
Applications open/lottery begins: March 3, 2025
Application deadline/lottery closes: April 1, 2025*
Program Dates: TBD
*if the program does not fill after the lottery review, we will accept applications on a first-come, first-serve, space available basis
Spring 2025:
Applications open: April 1, 2024
Application deadline: May 15, 2024 - NOW EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 10th!
Program dates: January 16 - May 15, 2025
Program Details
The I-Core Abroad: Gold Block in Prague program offers Carlson students the opportunity to fulfill required Gold I-Core business classes in a cohort model, fulfill liberal education requirements, and complete the International Experience. This program is uniquely designed for Carlson students to complete foundational business coursework and learn about business from the Czech context. This program also includes two Traveling Seminars, where students travel to multiple countries in a group tied to one of their courses. The Czech Republic is an ideal location to study management and business due to its core geopolitical position in Central Europe, thriving economy, and complex history from WWII and communism to its current day membership in the European Union.
Carlson students will live in shared apartments throughout the city. These are typically 4-6 students per unit in double bedrooms. Carlson students will live with other students from the UMN, the United States, and potentially have a local Czech student as a roommate.
Amenities include: fully furnished kitchen, at least one full bathroom, a living area, Wi-Fi, and in-unit or in-building laundry, apartment cleaning service of common areas every other week.
A Welcome and Closing dinner are included in the program fee. Students are responsible for all other daily meals.
- All courses will take place at the CET Study Center, located in central Prague.
- All grades will come back A/F on the official UMN transcript
- All Carlson students will enroll in 5 courses worth 3 UMN credits each for a total of 15 UMN credits. All below courses are required for all program participants:
- Finance Fundamentals (3 UMN credits)
- Approved for FINA 3001
- Sustainable Supply Chain & Operations (3 UMN credits)
- Approved for SCO 3001
- Human Capital Management (3 UMN credits)
- Approved for HRIR 3021
- Business Communication in a Global Context (3 UMN credits)
- Approved for BA 3033W
- For the 5th course, students will select one of the following CET Core Class. Each of the Core Classes include two Traveling Seminars:
- IBUS 3068: Central European Political Economy in a Global Context
- Approved for Global Perspectives Theme
- IBUS 3067: Political & Cultural History of East Central Europe in the 20th Century (3 UMN cr)
- Does not fulfill any UMN liberal education requirements
- IBUS 3069: Central and Eastern European Security in an Insecure World (3 UMN cr)
- Approved for Global Perspectives Theme
- IBUS 3071: Modern History of the Jews in East Central Europe (3 UMN cr)
- Does not fulfill any UMN liberal education requirements
- IBUS 3068: Central European Political Economy in a Global Context
- Finance Fundamentals (3 UMN credits)
Traveling Seminars: There are two Traveling Seminars built into each Core Class. One Traveling Seminar is 9 days long and typically brings students to Moravia, Poland, and Austria. The second Traveling Seminar is typically 4 days long and goes to Hungary. The cost of transportation, housing, and some group meals are covered in the total program fee for the Travel Seminars and the exact itinerary varies based on the course. Carlson students will be joined on the Traveling Seminars by other CET Prague students from other U.S. institutions.
- GPA minimum: 3.0
- Students must be an active Carlson School of Management students
- Students must meet the following course prerequisites:
- BA 2051: Modeling Business Scenarios in Excel
- BA 2551: Business Statistics in R
- ECON 1165: Business Economics
- ACCT 2051: Financial Reporting
- All students are required to have an updated passport
- Students traveling on a U.S. passport will need to apply for a student visa to study in the Czech Republic for a semester
- The Carlson Global Institute and CET Prague will provide guidance, resources, and advising on the visa application process for accepted and confirmed students.
Spring 2026 applications will open on March 3, 2025 and will close on April 1, 2025. Students will be charged a $50 application fee, and applications will be reviewed on a lottery system. Students will be informed of their application decision one week after the lottery closes. All applications submitted by the application deadline will be reviewed at the same time on a lottery system.
Applications will be reviewed and accepted after the April 1, 2025 deadline on a first-come, first-serve, space-available basis.
Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad. See "Financial Aid" for more information.
Cost
These estimates will vary based on student preference and exchange rates. All details subject to change based on economic and international factors. Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad programs. Students should also maintain their U.S.-based health insurance plan while abroad.
| Estimated Expenses - Spring 2025 | GOLD I-CORE in Prague | UMTC On-Campus Costs (Carlson Semester) |
| Carlson School MN Resident Tuition (billed to UMN student account) | $0 (included in Program Fee) | $7,248 |
| CGI Program Fee (billed to UMN student account) | $1,500 | N/A |
| Tuition & CET Educational Expenses (billed to UMN student account) | $8,907 | N/A |
| CET Non-Educational Expenses (billed to UMN student account) | $4,393 | N/A |
| Carlson School Tuition Surcharge (billed to UMN student account) | N/A | $1,300 |
| UMN On-Campus Fees (billed to UMN student account) | N/A | $1,245 |
| Airfare (to and from program site) | $1,500 | N/A |
| Passport Fee (cost of US passport) | $165 | N/A |
| Visa Fee (based on US passport) | $110 | N/A |
| Books and Materials | $0 | $500 |
| Housing & Food (housing included in Program Fee) | $2,225 | $6,514 |
| Essential Daily Living Expenses | $1,400 | $1,100 |
| Miscellaneous | $500 | N/A |
| Total Estimated Expenses | $20,700 | $17,907 |
| Program Incremental Cost (additional cost for studying abroad vs on-campus expenses) | $2,793 |