Go Global with CALS
As you choose your adventure at Iowa State University, consider choosing to study abroad as one of the adventures. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has a study abroad office devoted to helping and supporting you in your aspirations of travel, seeing international landmarks, stepping out of your comfort zone, or building friendships and networks that will last a lifetime. Through study abroad opportunities in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, students can learn about agriculture and life sciences on a new platform and each experience will enable students to become global citizens while developing valuable skills that will benefit them academically, personally, and professionally.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Study Abroad office offers an array of domestic and international travel programs tailored to you. Through our study abroad programs, CALS students have had the opportunity to touch soil on all 7 continents through our various programs!
Faculty-Led Travel Courses | Semester & Exchange Programs | Study USA
Faculty-Led Travel Courses
Spend fall, winter, or spring break abroad!
Travel courses are an affordable, flexible way to travel to another country and apply skills and knowledge learned in the classroom through hands-on learning! Students can travel with ISU faculty and staff members to all seven continents and participate in field visits, tours, and sightseeing during school breaks. This group travel option allows students to earn credits and gain international experience over a 10-16 day trip.
Upcoming Travel Courses:
January 2023: Tropical Agricultural Production, International Business, and Trade in Panama
Students will gain introduction and first hand exposure to tropical agricultural production, economics, international business, culture and rural life. Students will have an opportunity to learn about Panama's strategic location and also experience the Panamanian culture while also learning about how history and culture play a key role in shaping the relationship between Panama, the United States and other countries on the world.
Spring Break 2024: Soils, Crops and Natural Resources of Costa Rica
Students will explore agricultural systems, natural resources, and resource management in Costa Rica through interactions with farmers who have a history with ISU course. Activities include visits to variety of farms including coffee, highland fruits, organic vegetables, sugarcane, pineapple, and chocolate production.
Spring Break 2024: Service Learning Trip to Uganda
Students will have the opportunity to become familiar with the ISU programs and enable students to directly contribute to improving the quality of life of the people of Kamuli, particularly women and children. Students will spend several days working at primary schools and with local communities in the Kamuli District on agroforestry - establishing woodlots, creating school gardens, working with mothers and children on nutrition and health at Nutrition Education Centers, with livestock farmers on feeding and housing, and with post-harvest handling programs on food preservation and storage at schools.
"Being a first-generation college student, the last thing that comes to mind when thinking of studying abroad is affordable. However, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Study Abroad office has shown me that studying abroad is possible not once, not twice, but three times! Through their numerous university scholarships and promotion of national scholarships, my dream of seeing the world has come true, all while being the first one in my immediate family to acquire a bachelor's degree."
Blake Van Der Kamp, a senior in agriculture and life sciences education, international agriculture, agronomy, public relations, and leadership studies
Blake participated on three travel courses Soils, Agriculture & the Environment of Uruguay, Germany Equestrian Program, and Soils, Crops and Water in Costa Rica.
Semester & Exchange Programs
Experience something more, and immerse yourself in a different culture!
Why not consider a semester abroad? For the same price or less than a semester at Iowa State, you could earn credits toward your degree while traveling the world! Through our partner universities and exchange programs, students have the opportunity to attend world-class universities and be immersed in another culture.
Featured Programs:
KU Leuven is an institution for research and education with international appeal and ranks among the best 50 universities worldwide. KU Leuven hosts a range of bioscience engineering programs that are carried out in three departments: the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the Department of Biosystems, and the Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems. ISU CALS students have the option to study for a semester on an exchange at KU Leuven for the fall or spring semester. There are courses available in English.
American Farm School, Perrotis College, Greece
The American Farm School and Perrotis College of Agriculture, Environment and Life Sciences, in Thessaloniki, Greece, is a semester-long program offered to students with a 2.5 GPA or above. ISU CALS students can study for a semester or a semester and participate in research or complete an internship while abroad. Perrotis College is the only American-founded Ag/Tech College in Greece offering academic courses in the fields of agro-business, agriculture, environmental studies, entrepreneurship, food science/technology & more! All courses are taught in English.
University College Dublin, Ireland
University College Dublin (UCD) is one of Europe's leading research-intensive universities and is an option for students with a 3.0 GPA or above. There are 13 undergraduate courses available in the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, including Agri-Environmental Sciences; Agricultural Science; Agricultural Systems Technology; Animal and Crop Production; Animal Science; Animal Science- Equine; Dairy Business; Food and Agribusiness Management; Food Business with Chinese Studies; Food Science; Forestry; Horticulture, Landscape, and Sportsturf Management; and Human Nutrition. ISU CALS students have the option to study for a semester on an exchange at UCD for the fall or spring semester. All courses are taught in English.
"I chose to study abroad because I knew that there is so much more of the world that I have not seen. I really wanted to experience traveling, learning about different cultures, and meeting new people from around the world. Studying abroad through Iowa State provided me with a great opportunity to do those things. Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I have made. It forced me to step out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as a student, and as a person. I would highly recommend studying abroad to anyone."
Haley Burlage, a senior in agronomy, minoring in genetics
Haley spent a semester at the University College Dublin in Ireland.
Study USA
No passport? No problem!
Explore all that the United States of America has to offer from Coast to Coast through "Study USA" programs! These programs provide undergraduate students the opportunity to learn about diverse cultures, food and agriculture systems, natural resources, and life sciences within the U.S. The programs will be led by faculty within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and students will earn credit for their participation. Students of any college and major are encouraged to apply for a program.
Meet Marta Grant, CALS Study Abroad Advisor
Marta Grant, study abroad advisor, is a recent graduate of Iowa State University. She received her BS in Agricultural Business, Spanish, and International Agriculture and studied abroad for a semester at the Universidad de Extremadura in Cáceres, Spain, through an Iowa State exchange program. Her current role is to support and advise students on opportunities to study abroad that fit well into their college plans!
To learn more, reach out to Marta at mmgrant@iastate.edu or complete a request information form.
Need more information?
See FAQs and past student experiences to learn more!