Is the Study Abroad Program the right fit?
by Courtney Niendick, posted Sept. 29, 2008
The hall between the agriculture building and the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Center was lined with displays of different countries and filled with the lingering scent of freshly popped popcorn. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) Study Abroad program was having its annual fair. Students who have participated in the program were on hand to give more information.
“Experiencing another culture is such an amazing experience,” said Joe Tvrdy, a MU agricultural economics major. “I would recommend it to anyone.” Tvrdy studied in the Czech Republic.
Each year, dozens of MU students leave campus to study abroad. Full semester study destinations including Costa Rica, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, France and Ireland. The trips offer diverse areas of study, and they range in length from two weeks to a full semester.
Winter break programs in New Zealand and Thailand offer opportunities in agriculture and natural resources as well as biodiversity and conservation, according the CAFNR’s study abroad Web site.
Summer programs in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, France and Ireland offer adventure-seeking courses including animal science and humanities: parks, recreation and tourism: horticulture and sustainable development: agricultural economics; rural sociology and humanities, according to the Web site. Internships in Germany and France are also available.
“If you are trying to decide what type of trip is right for you, pick the longer of the two. You will regret picking the shorter one later,” Tvrdy said.
Former students suggest applying early because available spots fill-up quickly. “Do research on the area you will be studying in,” Tvrdy said. “Don’t be shy, and jump right in with two feet.”
Application deadlines are Oct. 15 for winter break and spring semester sessions and March 1 for summer sessions and fall semester.
For more information on studying abroad, visit the CAFNR Study Abroad Web site at http://cafnr.missouri.edu/study-abroad.
