Carlson School Exchange in New Zealand: University of Otago
Graduate Global ImmersionProgram Dates:
The academic calendar at Otago will differ from the University of Minnesota and all exchange students are expected to be at their host campus on the first day of orientation and through the last day of final exams.
Fall 2025 (2nd Semester):
- Full Semester: Mid-July - Mid-November
- Partial Semester: Early September - Mid-October
Spring 2026 (1st Semester):
- Full Semester: Mid-February - Late June
- Partial Semester: Early January - Mid-February
The priority deadline for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 is February 3rd, 2025 at noon.
Program Details
- Successful exchange students demonstrate a high degree of independence, adaptability, and flexibility because support and services will be different from a US university
- You are enrolled as an exchange student at a host university and take business courses in English
- You take courses with students from the host university as well as other exchange students from around the world
- You attend the host university according to their term dates which differ from the University of Minnesota
- A small group of Carlson students are selected to study at each partner university per semester and are fully immersed in another country, culture, and education system
- You will work closely with both Carlson School advisers and advisers from the host university for support pre-departure and during your semester abroad
What is a business exchange program?
- The University of Otago is New Zealand's oldest university and has earned an international reputation for the quality of its research and teaching.
- Dunedin is a city by the sea. It has white sand beaches, bush clad hills, tidal inlets, and volcanic landforms, as well as a golden trail of beaches and dizzying cliffs that skirt the city's thundering Pacific Ocean flank, where seals, penguins, albatross, and incredible surf can be found.
- The heart of the city is lined with restaurants and sidewalk cafes, as well as bars, boutiques, and shopping centres of an international standard.
- The Carlson Global Institute strongly encourages students to live in the on-campus housing options as those are affiliated with and vetted by the partner institutions.
- Students should check the host university website and fact sheet for specific accommodations information including on-campus and off-campus options, application process and deadline, and cost information.
- The International Office provides a guarantee of accommodation placement services to all international students who receive an academic offer and apply by the deadline.
- The most common style of living is student flats with four or five students, where each student has a private bedroom and all students share kitchen, living and bathroom areas.
- Where possible, study abroad students are placed in flats with a mix of New Zealand students and overseas students.
- Students also have the option of either finding their own accommodation.
- Graduate exchange students take courses in the MBA program.
- Graduate exchange students must enroll in the minimum number of credits outlined by the host university. The UMN does not have a minimum course requirement for graduate students on semester exchange.
- Courses transfer back as S/N on UMN transcripts.
- The recommended course load is 3-4 courses per term
- 20 Otago points = 4.5 UMN credits
- Business courses taught in English are available to exchange students.
- For information about specific courses available to exchange students please meet with an adviser.
- Graduate exchange students take courses in the Summer School MBA electives program.
- Exchange students studying on the partial semester option must take a minimum of 20 Otago points.
- 20 Otago points = 4.5 UMN credits, 30 Otago points = 7 UMN credits, 40 Otago points = 9 UMN credit
- Business courses taught in English are available to exchange students
- Courses transfer back as S/N on UMN transcripts
- These courses change every year and for information about specific courses please meet with a CGI adviser
Full Semester Option:
Partial Semester Option:
- Currently enrolled in a Carlson School graduate program
- In good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Additional criteria may apply
- The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
- All Carlson students are responsible for obtaining a passport before they participate on a study abroad program
- All students participating on an exchange program will be responsible for obtaining a visa or residence permit if required by their host country. The Carlson Global Institute will not process visa applications for students participating on exchange programs and are not visa experts.
- The Carlson Global Institute and the host university will provide resources for visa and residence permit applications if necessary, but students will need to work with the consulate and/or visa processing company directly as well.
To apply for an exchange program you must first apply through the Carlson Global Institute on the Apply page. Students must use their UMN email address when creating their application account. You will be charged a $50 application fee. The priority deadline for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 is February 3rd, 2025 at noon. Applications for programs that do not fill by the priority deadline will be accepted on a rolling basis until full. Applications will be reviewed and students will be informed of their status within 6 weeks of the priority deadline. Once accepted into an exchange program, you will also complete an application to the host university.
Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad. Carlson School graduate students are eligible for Education Abroad Fellowships. Please visit "Financial Aid" and "Fellowships" for more information.
Cost
Expenses are based on a 5 month semester. 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. Visa and passport costs are subject to change. Please verify current documentation costs with the Consulate.
The below cost table includes estimated expenses for both a partial semester (approximately 1.5 months) and a full semester (approximately 4 months). Accepted students may contact the CGI office to receive a Study Abroad Cost Estimate (SACE) form reflecting partial semester costs.
| Estimated Expenses 2024-2025: Partial Semester | |
| Carlson School Tuition (charged to UMN student account) | UMN Per-credit rate (varies by credit load and UMN degree program) |
| Airfare (to and from program site) | $2,000 |
| Passport Fee | $165 |
| Visa Fee (based on US passport) | $185 |
| Mandatory In-Country Health Insurance | $80 |
| Books and Materials | $0 |
| Housing & Food | $1,900 |
| Essential Daily Living Expenses | $500 |
| Miscellaneous | $250 |
| Total | $5,080 + tuition costs |
| Estimated Expenses 2024-2025: Full Semester | |
| Carlson School Tuition (charged to UMN student account) | UMN Per-credit rate (varies by credit load and UMN degree program) |
| Airfare (to and from program site) | $2,000 |
| Passport Fee | $165 |
| Visa Fee (based on US passport) | $300 |
| Mandatory In-Country Health Insurance | $240 |
| Books and Materials | $200 |
| Housing & Food | $5,000 |
| Essential Daily Living Expenses | $2,000 |
| Miscellaneous | $500 |
| Total | $10,405 + tuition costs |