Learning Abroad in Agricultural Education

Learn about agricultural practices in a very different ecosystem or about how people in another part of the world, such as the Ukraine, practice agriculture in a very similar ecosystem to our own. Study abroad can offer a global perspective on your studies in Agricultural Education.

Academic Planning

Review the following suggestions from the Agricultural Education program before beginning your study abroad research.

How do I select a study abroad program?

• Over 300 programs are available to University of Minnesota students.  The Department of Agricultural Education has worked closely with the Learning Abroad Center to select some programs that fit particularly well for Agricultural Education students.  Consider your academic interests, your geographic interests, and your academic goals. Use this web page, talk with your academic adviser and work with a Learning Abroad Center program selection adviser.  You’ll find a program that fits your goals.

How will study abroad programs fulfill my degree requirements?

Liberal Education

• Plan early to apply study abroad credits to the University’s Liberal Education requirements. Decide early which requirements you want to satisfy through courses taken abroad so you don’t fulfill them on campus.
• Consult the Learning Abroad Center's U-Credit Abroad database of study abroad courses that have already been evaluated or submit courses online to be evaluated for liberal education requirements.

Major Core Requirements

• Some of your major courses may be fulfilled abroad. Consult with your major adviser.

General Agriculture Electives

• Plan on taking at least one or two technical agricultural courses while studying abroad. This will allow you to gain knowledge of agricultural systems in a foreign country while allowing you to compare and contrast with our own domestic agriculture.

General Guidelines by Year

Freshman

• Start planning for study abroad.
• May and/or Summer Session programs can be a great first step. They can fulfill many liberal education requirements or provide the opportunity to learn a language.
• Save some liberal education requirements so you can fulfill them abroad in your junior or senior year.

Sophomore

• Continue careful academic planning with your adviser so that your study abroad experience is fully integrated and won’t delay your graduation.
• Consider taking U of M language courses to study the language of your planned study abroad destination.
• Short term courses over May or Summer Session are options.
• Plan to do independent research, an Honors project, or internship abroad.

Junior

• This year is when it is recommended that you do a semester-long study abroad experience.
• You will be able to fulfill two or more CLE requirements as well as some electives if approved before you go.
• Short term courses over May or Summer Session are options.
• Do independent research, an Honors project, or internship abroad.
• You may want to do an intensive language program to enhance your skill set.

Senior

• ALTD students can do study abroad, but proper planning and adviser approval is a must. Study abroad during this year is not recommended for Teaching Majors. 

Minor in International Agriculture

• CFANS recognizes the international nature of global food and agricultural systems as well as the interdependence of environmental systems. The minor provides students an opportunity to integrate course work in agricultural sciences; area, cultural and language studies; plus an overseas experience. Students select course work independently or through package programs available through the Learning Abroad Center. For more information contact Paul Porter.

Make an academic plan for study abroad

• Use an Academic Planning Study Abroad (APSA) Form to structure and document your consultation with your major adviser. Try to list more courses on the form than you will actually be able to take. A particular course or schedule may not be available on site, and it will be useful to have received prior feedback on additional courses from your adviser. If your courses do change, inform your adviser.