“Plant Science students have unique and exciting opportunities for international study, travel, and learning experiences. These experiences are designed to broaden perspectives and come to grips with pressing 21st Century scientific, technical, and social challenges facing global food systems and the environment.”
Kevin Smith, Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Coordinator of Plant Science Major
Important Considerations
- Students may take any basic science courses, major courses, or area of emphasis courses abroad with the approval of your academic adviser.
Nonaffiliated Programs
CFANS strongly encourages students to participate in UofM-sponsored or affiliated programs, which have been vetted and approved by the Learning Abroad Center or another unit on campus. The UofM has close working relationships with hundreds of affiliated programs that are high quality in terms of academic standards, housing, cultural immersion, health and safety and administrative support services. CFANS will not support or approve student participation in nonaffiliated programs.
Programs
Africa and the Middle East
Senegal
MSID—International Development in Senegal
- Program focuses on international development in the context of Senegal through coursework in the first half of the semester and an internship project in the latter half.
- Work along-side host nationals on development projects
- Internships are individualized; a past example includes working with the privatization of rice production project in the Senegal River Valley
Americas
Ecuador
MSID—International Development in Ecuador
- Program focuses on international development in the context of Ecuador through coursework in the first half of the semester and an internship project in the latter half.
- Work along-side host nationals on development projects
- Internships are individualized; a past example includes assisting agronomists and rural community representatives in developing sustainable agricultural plans in Ecuador
Asia and Oceania
Australia
University of Melbourne (available through IFSA Australia)
- Study at the University of Melbourne, one of Australia’s leading universities
- The Institute of Land and Food Resources offers courses in crop and soil science such as Plant Function, Experimental Design and Statistical Methods and Principles of Microbiology
University of Queensland (IFSA Australia)
- The University of Queensland’s Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science offers a wide range of courses in plant and soil science
- Possible courses include Pasture Science, Plant Production Systems, Quantitative Plant Breeding, and Ecology and Ecosystem Processes
New Zealand
Massey University (available through IFSA New Zealand)
- Study at Massey University, New Zealand’s largest university located in New Zealand’s second-largest inland city
- Possible courses include Pasture and Crop Agronomy, Seed Science, Applied Plant Physiology, and Plant Pathology
Europe
France
Language & Culture in Southern France
- Take courses in areas such as French language and literature, French history, and French culture
- Enroll in regular university courses including offerings in basic sciences, natural resources and agriculture
Germany
IES Germany —Berlin
- Take courses in areas such as German language and literature, business and economics, and history. Enroll in regular university classes at Humboldt University in biology, chemistry, environmental science and agriculture
- Extensive range of internships in many fields
Ireland
University Study in Ireland - University College Dublin
- Wide range of courses in plant science offered through the university’s Department of Crop Science, Horticulture and Forestry
- Relevant courses of particular interest to Plant Breeding and Agroecology students, include Agricultural Microbiology, Crop Husbandry, Plant Genetics, and Crop Protection
United Kingdom
University of Wales (available through IFSA United Kingdom)
- The University of Wales, Bangor has an outstanding reputation in agriculture and has received the British government’s top ranking for research in agriculture
- The School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences has a strong emphasis on sustainable agriculture, which may be of particular interest to students pursuing a minor in sustainable agriculture
- Relevant coursework includes Global Environmental Issues, Biodiversity and Ecology, Plant Eco physiology, Conservation and Ecology Practical, and Principles of Conservation
Additional Options to Consider
- 3-week, 3-credit programs at the 3000-level led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff over winter break or May session.
- Explore an exciting location and topic, Fulfill Liberal Education requirements, or earn major/minor credit.
- Combine on-campus instruction during the spring semester with a study abroad component during spring break, on a 3 credits, 1xxx level Seminar.
- Freshman Seminars Abroad are designed specifically for first-year students as an introduction to study abroad, an opportunity to explore an exciting location and topic, and likely fulfill a liberal education requirement.
- Check out additional LAC Instructor-led Seminars that might run over winter break, spring break, May, and summer sessions. They vary in length, dates, and content so students can find one that best fits their academic and professional goals.
- Begin your language study or work toward completing requirements for a language minor.
- Complete a semester of language on a short-term program or explore options to complete two or more semesters of language on semester-long program.