Originally founded as the “International Student and Visitor Welcome Center” in 1953, the Minnesota International Center (MIC) has a long history of providing educational and cultural opportunities for the University of Minnesota community.  Located on the East Bank campus, MIC continues to offer programming for students at campuses across the Twin Cities. 

MIC welcomes students to most events at our member rate (often free!), and we also offer a student membership level of $35 per year, giving students our individual member benefits at a discounted rate.

While our programs are open to students of all ages and in all fields of study, those who are pursuing degrees in international relations or a similar field will find our opportunities particularly interesting.  From our public forums on global issues to discussion groups on foreign policy, students can gain valuable perspectives to supplement their coursework or simply expand their worldview.  One of MIC’s most popular events is WorldQuest, an annual trivia contest in which teams compete in their knowledge of international affairs and current events.  Students are welcome to field teams at a discounted rate, and prizes include gift certificates, tickets, tours and more. Additionally, we encourage international students to become speakers in our International Classroom Connection program and share their customs and cultures in local schools.

Check out our event calendar to see when our next on-campus event is, or join our Facebook group to meet other globally-minded individuals.  To learn more about student membership, visit our Support MIC page, or apply for an internship if you want to gain valuable experience and become involved more deeply in our work.