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Augsburg University's Center for Global Education and Experience

4.91 Rating
34 reviews
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Why choose Augsburg University's Center for Global Education and Experience?

Their Roots: The Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE) is affiliated with Augsburg University, a private liberal arts and sciences college located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to its office in Minneapolis, CGEE runs programs in Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Augsburg CGEE has developed community partnerships in these locations with a wide range of individuals and organizations to serve as community leaders.

Their Quest: Augsburg's Center for Global Education and Experience provides cross-cultural educational opportunities to foster critical analysis of local and global conditions. The goal is for personal and systemic changes to take place leading to a more just and sustainable world.

Website
www.augsburg.edu
Founded
1982
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Frequently asked questions

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Community Photos

Elephant at watering hole in Okaukuejo
My friends and I climbing Table Mountain in Cape Town
Exploring County Donegal with the sheep!
Swimming in Lago Atitlán
Our Spanish school in Guatemala
Volcán Arenal
Former Loyalist paramilitary soldier explaining a mural to my cohort.
I took this at Frida Kahlo's house which you can visit there as a museum!
Lunch just a bus ride away from the collective!
Watching Soccer at Estadio Azteca!
Our visit to UNAM
Antigua, Guatemala

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Reviews

Kate
Non-binary
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Decolonizing the Mind: Racial and Environmental Justice

Grateful!

Oct 7, 2026

My experience abroad was genuinely so thought provoking, adventurous, and exciting! Not only did I gain more knowledge on the impact and legacies of apartheid, genocide, and colonization, but I got to learn from on the ground activists, leaders, community members, locals, politicians, and so much more. The experiential aspect added a new dimension to my learning that I never got the opportunity to experience before. I was able to go on field trips that aided in my learning goals and related to the course while also being super engaging and fun! Having the chance to talk to locals, students, Yango drivers, shop owners, and so much more gave me a more well-rounded experience of Namibia and South Africa which I wouldn't have been able to have through a textbook or a lecture.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Crocodile and pork trotters. I enjoyed the homestays a lot because it gave us the opportunity to see what a day in the life was like, as well as the chance to eat some yummy homecooked food. Crocodile is exactly what everyone says it's like, chicken! Pork trotters are pigs feet and they're a really good source for collagen.
Pros
  • Amazing Staff and Faculty
  • Engaging field trips
  • Cool wildlife
What other participants should know
  • Not super walkable/accessible
My friends and I climbing Table Mountain in Cape Town
Elephant at watering hole in Okaukuejo
Maria
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study and Intern in Northern Ireland

A life changing experience that changed my perspective on the world

Sep 14, 2026

My time in Northern Ireland was an absolutely life changing experience. It is not your typical study abroad experience, it is pretty structured but it's that way for a reason. I got to speak to people on both sides of the conflict in Northern Ireland as well as learn in depth about what peace building really looks like in a modern society. I also got opportunity to intern at a community development organization where I met so many incredible people with amazing stories. Northern Ireland is also an extremely beautiful place that I got to explore a lot of. The north coast is one of the most breath taking places I've ever been to. Northern Ireland is a unique place that changed my life and this program is a huge part of that. I would do my study abroad 100 times over if I could.

Exploring County Donegal with the sheep!
Rose
Non-binary
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
New Activisms, Human Rights and Social Justice

Coolest Program Ever

Sep 3, 2026

I am so grateful that I found this program. My semester abroad in Guatemala and Costa Rica with CGEE was everything I hoped it would be and more. When considering what I wanted my semester abroad to look like, I knew I didn't want something basic. I wanted to go on an adventure and to expose myself to a greater world. One of the major reasons I chose this program, other than doing something awesome, was to learn Spanish. Having studied French in high school, I had no background in Spanish and wanted to develop that skillset from the ground up. Thankfully, that's exactly what happened. My Spanish went from ground zero to basic conversation skills. Highlights of my time in Guate and Costa Rica include participating in a Mayan ceremony on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, visiting a national park on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, exploring the cafes of Quetzaltenango with friends that I plan to hold close for life, and learning from many incredibly impactful organizations and individuals. My time in Guatemala forever changed me and I sincerely hope to return in the future. My experience was the perfect mix of academically engaging and personally fulfilling. I seriously cannot recommend this program enough.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Something that was very important to me was bringing along items that felt familiar, especially with all the moving around. This may seem silly, but I brought my sleeping bag in a stuff sack in my duffle bag. I was concerned about my quality of sleep in unfamiliar places, so this was something I did for myself that worked out great. Along those same lines, definitely do not bring too much stuff. Given the amount of moving around we did, it was really important to be able to carry all of my belongings on my person. This is very possible and can be done by packing with intention. Don't forget to pack your adventurous spirit and love for new experience.
Pros
  • So many new experiences
  • Incredible adventures
  • Lots of exposure
What other participants should know
  • Lots of moving around, be flexible
  • Travel by car/bus can be difficult, bring anti-nausea
  • Many new experiences can be exhausting, bring items that feel familiar/call your friends
Volcán Arenal
Our Spanish school in Guatemala
Swimming in Lago Atitlán
Dorothy
United States
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Explore Social Justice and Community in Mexico

Social Work Program 2026

Aug 27, 2026

I went to Mexico to improve my Spanish skills and gain confidence moving and interacting in unfamiliar settings and situations. This program allowed me to greatly improve my Spanish - the month-long urban homestay was super helpful for that - and expand my skillset and knowledge of what I can do. In the course of this program I also complete a social work practicum at a local elder care home, and that allowed me to apply and further develop social work skills of empathy and communication, as well as to more completely immerse myself in the local community.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Consider everything - opportunities, surprises, inconveniences, difficult to adjust to mealtimes, etc. as part of the adventure.
Pros
  • Scenic views
  • Amazing community
  • Fun excursions
What other participants should know
  • Difficult terrain for walking, including in cities
  • Not much ideological diversity
Alyse
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Decolonizing the Mind: Racial and Environmental Justice

South Africa/Namibia Study Abroad

Aug 26, 2026

Studying abroad through Augsburg in South Africa and Namibia was an incredibly unique and impactful experience. Unlike more "traditional" abroad programs, the objective is to learn hidden histories, uncover truths about larger global issues, and change perspectives on how to navigate an ever-changing world. Additionally, this program highlights ways to make conscious decisions regarding environmental and racial issues that permeate today's social culture through conversations with real inhabitants.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I ate was Mopane worms! They were sun-dried, seasoned, and a crunchy source of protein.
Pros
  • Self discovery
  • Exposure to broader cultures
  • Strong support system
What other participants should know
  • Few similarities to home country
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Programs

Displaying 1 - 1 of 1

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Brian Cabral

Program
New Activisms, Human Rights and Social Justice
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Why did you choose this program?

The program took me to three different countries: Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. Because I did not travel much growing up, a program that traveled to various locations attracted me more than other programs that only took place in one country.

The program also focused on the discourse of peace, community engagement, and social justice, which are values that I align myself with. Given my low exposure to the culture and history of Central America, I wanted to learn more about our neighbors living in our backyard.

What did your program provider and your university assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

My home institution, Oberlin College, prepped me for being exempted from coursework for a semester so that I could participate in the study abroad program.

Then, Augsburg College, the program provider, accepted me into the program (woo!) but helped me fill out the paperwork needed to confirm my participation in their program. Additionally, they sent me a manual that provided insightful information about what I needed to take with me during my travels in Central America, what to expect while I am there, and provided me with a preliminary itinerary.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

You will be traveling often, so you need not overpack because it is easier to carry your stuff with you if you pack lightly. But if you find yourself overpacking, know that you will learn how to pack lightly during this trip. That is one of the unintended gems of the program- learning to live a simplistic life and not overpacking with stuff you do not need while traveling to different areas in three countries.

Clothes are one thing people tend to overpack, but know that opportunities to thrift while abroad are available and donating some of the clothes after the program is over in Nicaragua is also a possibility.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The average day varies because you are learning about a variety of topics such as history, women’s studies, liberation theology, to name a few, in different countries.

You will spend time in the classroom, travel to historical sites, and venture off to meet with speakers that live in those countries. Typically, your evenings are free for you to spend time with your host family, travel elsewhere within the city like the mall or the movies, or to get some work done before class the next day.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I feared feeling homesick. I am Mexican-American and had not gone anywhere south of Mexico. I overcame it by finding parallels between my experiences at home in Chicago, in Mexico, and those I was having in Central America.

I spoke Spanish fluently, so that helped me communicate with people easily and was able to feel comfortable in a foreign space while I visited and learned about their culture, history, and quotidian lifestyles.

Write and answer your own question.

Would you do the same program over again if the opportunity presented itself?

Without a doubt. Guatemala was beautiful and challenging because it had recently freed itself from a 36-year-old civil war in 1996, and the remnants of such conflict were still evident in the places we visited. However, the people I met there were amazing. Costa Rica is also an interesting place to explore. Very touristy, but full of humbled people, especially those you will meet at the LaCarpio community in San Jose.

The plan is to soon return to these Central American countries. They hold a special place in my heart after going abroad through this program.

I must admit, Nicaragua was my favorite place to visit and explore. The country experienced a startling social revolution in the 1970s that overthrew the Somoza dictatorship, and Nicaraguenses were ambivalent showing pride or reservation about the Sandinista takeover in the country.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Nigel Glenny

Program
Study and Intern in Northern Ireland
Job Title
Northern Ireland Program Director

A group of people posing for a picture.

How and when did you begin working for HECUA?

Nigel: I began teaching at Ulster University (HECUA’s partner in Northern Ireland) at the start of 2007. Explaining how I came to work with HECUA is tricky because I have not developed, and successfully implemented, a master plan for my working life!

I know that my experiences of working in education, training and peace building caused me to be excited at the possibility of facilitating the deep learning experience that is the HECUA Northern Ireland Program (why I applied for the job), but it is easier for me to say why I am still directing the HECUA Northern Ireland program after 8 years – our students still challenge me to think critically (and to care more deeply) about the place I call home.

Why do you think HECUA’s model of internships + classroom time is so effective?

Nigel: The focus of HECUA’s Northern Ireland Program is how a society can transition from violent conflict to sustainable peace. This is a big challenge perhaps especially when you consider how much hurt is experienced through violence. In attempting to ‘study’ and understand the work of building peace our students are invited to ‘practice’ peace building.

Through internships (and many other components of the program) students experience what it means to ‘be’ peace builders. Through our process of facilitating reflective engagement with these practical experiences our students put all sorts of things to the test: ideas, theories and, ultimately, themselves.

A group of people gathered together.

Why is this model so effective – through these experiences our students are in a position to take much more confidence in what they know and what they consider important.

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of the HECUA teaching staff.

Nigel: 9 May 2014. I helped organize an event to celebrate 12 years of successful partnership between HECUA and Ulster University and to acknowledge the transition of the program from the university’s UNESCO Centre to its current home with the university’s International Conflict Research Institute.

In the midst of a busy HECUA program students volunteered to share some reflections on their semester with the invited audience of senior academics, political representatives and community activists (no pressure!). The students ‘stole the show’ with thoughtful and inspirational contributions including a song written and performed by a number of students!

While this was a specific event, the pride and humility caused by ‘my’ students, and the impact they make, is a regular occurrence!

Do you have a hidden skill or talent? What is it?

A group of people posing for a picture.

Nigel: To my astonishment people appear to be quite impressed when they learn that I played an accordion when I was young. I take more pride in my abilities with a jigsaw (the power tool!) and I reckon it sounds better too.

Who is your favorite author?

Nigel: Franz Kafka – helps me when dealing (struggling) with bureaucracy.

Professional Associations

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