Students majoring in anthropology must complete one semester of study abroad after successfully completing a course in research methods. The program chosen by the student should have a substantial fieldwork-based component or the opportunity to engage in significant independent research.

In recent years, Macalester anthropology majors have participated in study abroad programs in Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, the Caicos Islands, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Uganda, and Vietnam.