Important Considerations
- The department is extremely supportive of students going abroad at different points within their academic career. There is flexibility within the major tracks for students to be able to complete these requirements abroad. Planning is an important part in this process and so it’s important for students to stay in contact with their adviser, major coordinator, and faculty mentor.
- APEC 3202 - An Introduction to the Food System: Analysis, Management and Design is required for the major so students should plan to take this early and on campus.
- Students are required to complete an internship as part of their major. If you wish to complete your internship abroad, make sure to speak with your adviser, major coordinator, and faculty mentor as part of your program planning prior to departure.
- Given the many short-term study abroad program options, students are encouraged to pursue these programs at any point during their academic career.
- Semester and year-long programs are great options for Food Systems students. The department strongly encourages students to take advantage of these programs, but to also keep in mind that it is important to start planning early by meeting with your academic adviser and major coordinator.
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
Ghana
University of Ghana - ISEP Direct
- The University of Ghana is the largest of the four universities in Ghana and currently enrolls over 30,000 students. ISEP's programs at the University of Ghana also offer benefits above and beyond a typical ISEP program including facilitated volunteering, independent studies and research projects, internship opportunities, excursions, and a Twi language course.
- Course offerings include: Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Agricultural Engineering, Nutrition and Food Science, Food Process Engineering, Soil Science, Economics, and Crop Science
Kenya
The School for Field Studies Kenya
- Visit different ecosystems and communities including the vast savannas at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park and Kimana Wildlife Sanctuary, Maasai and other Indigenous communities, rural villages, freshwater wetlands, acacia forests, wildlife migratory corridors, and ranches and farms.
- Research how climate change and land-use changes are negatively affecting Kenya’s ecosystems and those living in them.
- All courses taught in English. No language prerequisite. One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science required for semester program. Semester and summer options available.
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.
- Students will engage with topics such as waste management in urban settings, mangrove swamps, the balance between practical needs and preservation, coastal preservation in Senegal (maritime erosion, the loss of biodiversity, difficulties access fishing waters), flooding in Dakar neighborhoods, recycling, and the repurposing of waste objects.
- Work along-side host nationals on development projects
- Internships are individualized
Americas
Costa Rica
The School for Field Studies Costa Rica
- Semester: Sustainable Development Studies, Summer Session I: Biodiversity and Sustainable Food Systems, Summer Session II: Environmental Justice From the Ground Up
- Learn how different agricultural techniques have the potential to restore biodiversity and combat climate change. Study the sociocultural history of coffee and cacao, from Indigenous histories to modern production and exports.
- All courses taught in English. No language prerequisite. One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science required for semester program. Semester and summer options available.
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 or research project in the latter half.
- Through the course International Development: Environmental Challenges from the Andes to the Amazon students will examine cases that involve people's rights over the environment, food sovereignty, water management, climate change, sustainable development and local alternatives for natural resource management and conservation.
- Work along-side host nationals on development projects
- Internships are individualized
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, Food Processing, Experimental Design and Statistical Methods, Principles of Microbiology, The Politics of Food, Sustainable Food Production, and Sustainable Food: Policy and Practice
University of Queensland (available through 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
Cambodia
The School for Field Studies Cambodia
- The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of environmental, social, and economic issues in Cambodia.
- Visit the ancient Angkor temples, study threats to biodiversity, learn about environmental justice and policy, and discuss traditional medicines with Indigenous communities.
- Gain practical skills in the field such as: species identification and wildlife monitoring, elephant behavior analysis, conservation project proposals and grant writing, ethical reasoning, basic Khmer language skills, research design and implementation, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and research presentation.
- All courses taught in English. No language prerequisite. One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science required for semester program.
- Semester and summer options available.
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, Food Processing, Seed Science, Applied Plant Physiology, Nutrition and Food Choice, and Food Politics
Thailand
MSID - International Development in Thailand
- Program focuses on international development in the context of Ecuador through coursework in the first half of the semester and an internship or research project in the latter half.
- Through the course International Development: Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Food Systems students will learn how farmers, businesses, entrepreneurs engage in the process of agricultural and entrepreneurial development and how this development impacts food systems.
- Examine community supported agriculture; the growing, processing, and production of coffee, tea, and chocolate (cacao) in northern Thailand; growth of fair trade/fair work cafes; sustainable agricultural practices and community-supported agriculture; and community-based agro-tourism.
- Work along-side host nationals on development projects
- Internships are individualized
Europe
Denmark
- Program combines classroom teaching, local field studies, and study tours in Denmark and Europe
- Students can enroll in course courses like Sustainable Food: Production and Consumption, and sign up for electives like Politics and Ethics of Food, Food and Health: A Global Perspective, Anthropology of Food
Ireland
- Enroll in courses taught at the at University College Dublin
- Available sample courses include: Food Policy, Organic Agriculture, Agri-Environmental Economics and Policy, Diversity in the Rural Landscape, Economics of Food, Principles of Dairy Production, and Environmental Management
Italy
Sustainable Food Systems of Sicily & Florence
- Abroad May term in Sicily and Florence, Italy
- Program will introduce you to past and present Italian culture through the foods, their cultural importance, and the concepts of sustainability
- Taught by Mike White, PhD, Morse Alumni Distinguished Professor in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences, as well as the former Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Faculty Affairs
University Study in Italy: Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
- Available sample courses include: Sustainability & Food Law, Crop Protection, Integrated Vineyard Protection, Microbiology of Dairy and Meat Food, Food Economics, and Applied Agronomy and Horticulture
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.