Study Abroad

Where will your Iowa State University adventure take you?

Pack your bags and your brains. If you want your semester to involve a change in scenery, you should consider taking one of 30 study abroad programs. With a group of 12-30 professors and friends, you could tour agriculture production and processing facilities, see historic sites, learn about ecology, observe social systems and experience a whole new culture during a semester or year-long program. With scholarships available and credits that transfer back to Iowa State University, you’ll be wanting to pack your bags up faster than you can yell “rooooad trip!”

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Study Abroad Programs

Morgan Bobb

Morgan Bobb

Denmark, Iowa
Global Resource Systems & Genetics

“Apart from doing my GRS Internship in Uganda, I completed a “study abroad” summer research project with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, Italy.  I worked as a member of a team investigating the benefits of local animal genetic resources for rural livelihoods. Stationed at the international headquarters of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome, Italy, my team lived and worked together for the duration of the project. At the end of the project, we presented our research, a combination of each of our fields and reflective of large amounts of discussion, to FAO leadership. Our findings are being used as a resource for FAO’s initiative to recognize the importance of local animal genetic resources. Reflecting on this project, I learned more about health benefits that local livestock breeds can provide resource-limited households; I also gained an understanding of the complexity of economic and social interactions these animals have within the community. This greatly enhanced my GRS experience, and added considerable breadth and depth to the quality education that I had received in the classroom.”

Amanda De Carvalho

Amanda De Carvalho

Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Global Resource Systems & Animal Ecology

“The first word that comes to mind when I think about the GRS study abroad trip to China is, “amazing”. Not just because I was simply traveling to another country, but because the experiences were amazing. I learned so many things about farming. I met incredible people and developed some great relationships. It was a trip fully of knowledge, culture, and community exchange and a time of self-reflection for me. The China trip was an eye opening experience in regards to my future in sustainability and global resources.”

Liz Reams

Liz Reams

Indianola, Iowa
Global Resource Systems & Environmental Studies

“I am studying abroad at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia where I’m taking environmental science coursework and a health class. I have been learning a lot about how Australia deals with topics in health and environmental science. I think that the most important thing that I have learned while I am here is what we are always taught in our globe classes that everything is connected–health, environment, social, culture, everything. I think this experience is helping me to be a global citizen.”

Jace Hadish

Jace Hadish

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Global Resource Systems & Animal Ecology

“The focus of my trip was to explore different perspectives of the food and agricultural industries in China and to better understand its role in this world. In the short time that I was there, my group was fortunate enough to visit many great restaurants, to visit vegetable co-ops, and even to visit a Cargill Broiler production facility. We were also fortunate enough to visit with college students, professors, facility managers, the Consulate General of the United States, and countless other highly intellectual and personable individuals.

For me, this trip has expanded my vision of paths and possibilities leading me to explore a career that incorporates my desire to tap into my passions of caring for animals, growing plants, seeing that people are nourished, and extending that into international boundaries. I am now more aware of challenges that I may face in this pursuit, including potential language barriers, the possibility of resistance from foreign governments and people, and navigating interactions with those who hold different values and ideals when it comes to producing and using resources that may apply to my life’s work.”