Global Student Teaching Opportunities

Add to your teaching skills and diverse cultural experiences while increasing your marketability.  Teacher candidates have the opportunity to apply based on the criteria of the program.

The Costa Rica experience: 

  • Five to six weeks of student teaching in an English immersion school in San Jose
  • Candidates student teach in August/September or March/April
  • A full week of Spanish language lessons as well as additional lessons throughout the experience
  • A service-learning component in Quepos and Manuel Antonio
  • Final costs are based on the number of participants and placement locations
  • Scholarships are available for qualified and accepted participants
The Aldine, Texas experience:
  • Candidates spend their entire semester in the Aldine Independent School District; a large, diverse, urban school district in Houston, Texas
  • Candidates pay for rent ($300 - $500 based on number of roommates), utilities, gas, tolls, internet, and provide their own transportation to and from Aldine
  • Information about the Aldine School District
The Alaska experience:
  • Four to five weeks of student teaching (similar to Costa Rica program)
  • A Minnesota State University, Mankato professor will join the candidates during their stay, observe candidates and meet with mentor teachers
  • Open to all content areas
  • Course fee is approximately $1,200 and includes airfare, lodging (potentially) and programming
  • Scholarships are available for candidates accepted into the program
  • Candidates pay for meals, local transportation and most excursions
The Kenya experience:
  • Five weeks of student teaching (similar to Costa Rica program)
  • Minnesota State University, Mankato professors will join the candidates during their stay, observe candidates and meet with mentor teachers
  • Open to all content areas
  • Course fee is approximately $4,100 and includes airfare, most local transportation, lodging, most meals, programming, chaperoned safari and other excursions
  • Scholarships are available for candidates accepted into the program
The Norway experience:
  • Five to six weeks of student teaching (similar to Costa Rica program)
  • Open to Social Studies and Art teacher candidates
  • A Minnesota State University, Mankato professor will join the candidates during their stay, observe candidates and meet with mentor teachers
  • Course fee is approximately $1,200 and includes airfare, lodging and programming; additional living expenses will add approximately $2,500
  • Scholarships are available for candidates accepted into the program and there is also a subsidy to offset expenses due to the high cost of living
  • Candidates are responsible for meals, local transportation and most excursions
Selection Criteria:
  • Selection is based on academic and field experience, written narrative, and interview
  • Recommendations required from program faculty
Interested in learning more? 
Contact Dr. Elizabeth Finsness
Office of Field and International Experience
119 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
507-389-1517