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 you 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 & 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
Morocco
Climate Resilience in Agriculture: Exploring Diverse Regions and Empowering Youth in Morocco
- Travel to and around Morocco learning about the different regions and agricultural systems found within the country on this 3-week CFANS sponsored May term program.
- Learn about the impacts of climate change on food production and how, through modifications in cultural practices, governmental policy, and technological advances, stakeholders are adapting to the rapid change
- Meet with Moroccan youth to learn about the impact of climate change and the agricultural economy on youth.
Senegal
MSID—Sustainability in Senegal
- Take the course "Sustainable Development & Climate Change" which focuses complex environmental issues in Senegal.
- Complete a 6-week internship or research project in your area of interest; a sample internship includes working with farms that are part of a women's cooperative.
- 4 semesters of college-level French required.
Americas
Costa Rica
School for Field Studies Costa Rica - Biodiversity and Sustainable Food Systems
- Explore the relationships between food systems, ecology, conservation, sustainability on this 4-week summer program.
- Learn how different agricultural techniques have the potential to restore biodiversity and combat climate change.
- All courses taught in English. No language prerequisite.
Ecuador
MSID—Sustainability in Ecuador
- Take the course "Environmental Challenges from the Andes to the Amazon" which focuses on which focuses complex environmental issues in Ecuador.
- Complete a 6-week internship or research project in your area of interest; a sample internship includes working on a sustainable agriculture reserve, assisting with planting and harvesting coffee and chocolate, clearing trails, and raising animals.
- 4 semesters of college-level Spanish required.
Asia & 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
School for Field Studies Australia - Farming for the Future
- Spend 4-weeks untangling the complex web of providing food for a global population and discuss ways of implementing sustainable agriculture in the face of environmental change on this summer program.
- Program includes and excursion to Bali, Indonesia which will include visits to permaculture and agroforestry farms, Balinese markets, and learning about the production of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla.
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
Agroecology & Entrepreneurship: Coffee, Chocolate, & Cannabis
- Spend 6 weeks in Chiang Mai, Thailand, an emerging global center for specialty coffee, artisanal chocolate, and medicinal cannabis.
- Complete a 4-week internship or independent research project focused on your preferred area of study related to coffee, cacao, or cannabis production.
MSID—Sustainability in Thailand
- Take the course "Sustainable Food Systems & Tropical Agriculture" which focuses on sustainable agriculture, both subsistence and cash crops, and agricultural commodity production.
- Complete a 6-week internship or research project in your area of interest; a sample internship includes working with organic farms that utilize agricultural tourism or community supported agriculture business models.
- Courses taught in English.
Sri Lanka
- Situated in the India Ocean off the coast of southeastern India, Sri Lanka is a tropical island destination that offers students access to an affordable program in a unique location.
- Sample courses include: Global Food Systems, Climate Change Impacts in Tropical Ecology, Sustainable Tourism, and Biodiversity in Sri Lanka.
- Courses taught in English, with the opportunity to study local languages like Sinhala and Timil.
- Match with a local university student who will be your learning partner, helping you gain an understanding of the culture.
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
Denmark & Sweden
Exploring the New Nordic: Food Seasonality & Sustainability in Denmark & Sweden
- Learn about the culinary movement know as New Nordic and it's focus on hyper local food production on this Spring B+ 2-week May term CFANS-sponsored program.
- Explore Nordic cuisine through actives like foraging, visiting food producers, and urban gardens.
- The program will visit Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden as a case study allowing students to see the similarities and differences in these food cultures.
France
Language & Culture in Southern France
- Students can complete French courses and enroll in "Sustainable Development & Food Production in the Mediterranean Landscape".
- Gain field experience through the community engagement couse; examples include working in a community garden or urban farm.
Greece
Greek Agriculture & Gastronomy: A Taste of the Mediterranean
- Gain firsthand experience with Greek food industry, agricultural traditions, and their impacts and benefits on Greek life and culture on this Spring B + 2-week May CFANS-sponsored program May term program.
- Participate on visits to industry sites including vineyards and an agricultural cooperative, and discuss topics from olive oil, to European dairy regulations and cheese production.
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 Italy
- 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.