CALS Study Abroad Programs
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Belize - Issues in Agricultural and Life Sciences: Spring Break 2027 (March 13-21, 2027)
This course is designed to educate students about major issues in agricultural and life sciences (ALS) and to expose students to a variety of methods used to effectively communicate, inform, and influence decisions about these issues. While in Belize, you will engage in the culture while learning about food production, food security, capacity building, water quantity & quality, natural resource conservation, biodiversity, climate change, labor, urban/rural interactions and more.
Contact: Becky Raulerson and Carla Jagger
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Belize - NGOs and Development: Summer A 2027: (May 10 - June 17)
The goal of this program is to provide knowledge on how Non-Governmental Organizations, nonprofits, are managed to promote developments around the globe. This program includes field visits with local NGOs to develop a deeper understanding of their operations and impacts. Program assessments include case studies, field visit logs, discussions and presentations.
Contact: Dr. Kumaran Muthusami
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CALS Leadership Institute: International Experience
CALS Leadership Institute is a unique leadership development program for undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Students are selected through a nomination and interview process based on demonstrated leadership attributes and academic achievement.
International Service Learning Experience
Contact: Dr. Natalie Coers
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Costa Rica - Plants, People in the Anthropocene: Full for Summer A 2027 (The program is full for 2027)
This program is approximately four weeks in duration with a short orientation session and activity in Gainesville before departure. While in Gainesville, students will be introduced to some of the research methodology and ecological concepts that they will further explore in Costa Rica. This program partners with the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE). The field based courses are led by UF instructors with support from local researchers and experts in different ecological zones in Costa Rica.
Program Information (Not available at this time)
Contact: Dr. William Hammond
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Costa Rica - Tropical Ecosystems: Spring Break 2027 (TBD)
This is an eight-day program to Costa Rica during spring break to study eco-tourism and recreation. You will learn about tropical ecosystems and environmentally based development. You will visit places in Costa Rica most tourists never get to see. You will also learn about eco-tourism, cultural history and the food production industry. The program is open to all UF students but specifically designed for students who have natural resource or agricultural-related majors.
Contact: Dr. Taylor Stein or Dr. Kotryna Klizentyte
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Croatia - Food & Global Change: Summer A 2027 (May 2-June 2)
This program will provide students with a better understanding of the range of food production and subsistence, from small-scale and historical artisanal systems to modern larger-scale industrial systems. There is a focus on how global change, including climate change, invasive pests and pathogens, sociocultural and land-use change (e.g, urbanization) affect those systems, and the economic, social and cultural consequences.
Contact: Dr. Luke Flory or Dr. Rick Stepp
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Denmark -Ecology and Conservation: Summer A 2027 (May13-June 2)
Explore the forests, heathlands, and coastal wetlands of Denmark while developing skills in identifying plants, mammals, birds, invertebrates, and reptiles characteristic of temperate European ecosystems. In this fieldbased course, students examine how glacial history, habitat structure, and land use patterns shape species diversity across inland and coastal landscapes, including the UNESCOlisted Wadden Sea. Through guided field observation and ecological analysis, students learn to recognize key taxa and interpret habitat-species associations in protected northern European environments. The program offers a distinctive opportunity to study wildlife ecology firsthand in a northern European context while strengthening observational and ecological reasoning skills.
Program Information (To be Updated)
Contact: Dr. Ho Yi Wan
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Europe - Medicine, Microbiology and Health: Summer A 2028 (TBD
This program covers a variety of topics and activities pertaining to medicine, microbiology and health. This is a very active and interactive trip with a variety of opportunities to learn, experience and explore. In addition to visiting historic sites, academic institutions and industries throughout Europe, we will conduct outdoor activities and participate in interesting field trips.
Program Information (Not Available until August 2027)
Contact: Dr. Monika Oli
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Europe - Cities in Civilization: Summer A 2027: (TBD)
Cities are the engines of cultural creativity and technological innovation. This program will explore and seek to understand why and how cities continue to catalyze the growth of human civilization, from ancient Rome and the Italian Renaissance, to modern culture and technologies. Spend five weeks traveling from London to Rome with ~5-day stops in Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and Florence.
Contact: Dr. James Jawitz
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France - Purpan: 8-weeks Summer C 2027 (TBD)
A unique eight-week summer exchange program. Students spend the first four weeks on campus in Toulouse and then relocate to internship sites across France to complete the final four weeks of the program. While on-campus students will participate in lectures, field trips, cultural visits and excursions to locations like Barcelona and the Pyrénées Mountains. The internship portion of the program allows students to gain practical work experience on a farm, within an agri-related business such as an equestrian center, cheese making farm, vineyard or within a laboratory at Purpan.
Spring Info Sessions hosted by Purpan (sign up portal)
Recorded Information Session (2-10-22)
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France - Purpan: Non-Summer Programs
In addition to the 8 week summer program, Purpan offers three additional study abroad programs:
- IBC - International Bachelor Certificate - (taught in English). Fall focus on animal production and winemaking, spring focus on winemaking, wine business, food science and innovation.
- Global Semester (taught in English), A 1-semester program in spring only, for Bachelor or Master students. It covers Global Issues (climate change, food security, biodiversity and environment) and global business (commodities, French food trade, and working across culture).
- Ingénieur (taught in French). A 5-year program in agri-related topics (agriculture, life science, food science, marketing and management). Incoming students can take courses from year 3, 4 or 5, according to their language skills and academic background. Not possible to mix courses from different years. Please note that only courses of the 3rdyear are available in Spring. Please note that only courses of the 3rdyear are available in Spring.
Exchange students can arrive either for fall or spring semester, or for the full year. A compulsory Welcome session is organized at the beginning of each semester. Exchange students must also attend the French language course (FLE) and the Intercultural module.
Purpan International Experience Booklet
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Germany - Engineering in Germany: Summer A 2027 (May 9 - June 18)
You will be introduced to various industries in Germany with the engineering and energy use highlighted; learn cultural and historical information about Germany and the European Union; learn how to design experiments, analyze data, and formulate statistical relationships on the data.
Contact: Dr. Ana Martin Ryals
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Greece/Italy - Food and Culture: Full for Summer A 2027 (May 15-30)
This six-credit program includes a one-week food, culture/lifestyle, and culinary experience in one of the five “Blue Zones” of the world, Ikaria, Greece and Sardinia, Italy, where people live active and productive lives into their 90’s and beyond. During this program you will experience the lifestyle and food habits, and discover the unique flora of these beautiful places as you hike through a forest with a trained guide to forage for herbs and other wild foods that grow in plenty – foods that are purported to contribute to the longevity of these people.
Contact: Dr. Karla Shelnutt or Dr. Anne Mathews
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Greece - Leadership for The Ages: Summer A 2027 (May 6-20)
During this six credit immersive program, students will be immersed in the trends and traditions of Greece regarding water use and other sustainability challenges. Such exploration is to prompt a critical, systems-based thought process regarding leadership toward solutions and innovations to address complex, adaptive challenges faced by Greek communities and cities. Additionally, students will learn from and speak to both indigenous leaders and sustainable development leaders within the Greek context.
Contact: Dr. Natalie Coers and Dr. Megan Cantrell
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Ireland - International Service Learning in Galway: Summer B 2028 (TBD)
The purpose of this course is to provide a transformative experiential learning experience in the context of youth development in Galway and Gweedore, Ireland. This course will provide youth development, service-learning, and cultural learning opportunities, along while collaborating with community-based organizations working to solve local issues and enhance community engagement. Excursions and weekly cultural activities are built-into the program
Program Information (To be updated in August 2027)
Program Presentation (to be updated)
Contact: Kate Fletcher
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Ireland - Internship & Global Culture: Summer C 2027 (TBD)
As the world becomes globalized, today’s companies expect to hire graduates who can be effective in a global environment. In this course, students will learn about the different aspects and examples of cultural similarities and differences in a personal and professional setting, as well as the theories of intercultural communication and how to apply them in real-world situations. Students will also learn about Irish culture and history from local experts and be able to develop an appreciation for the culture of their host country. Students may be placed in either Dublin or Galway, depending on the best internship placement for their field of study. On-the-ground support and cultural activities will be provided for students in both locations.
Contact: Dr. Misti Sharp
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Italy - Animal Science in Italy: Summer A 2026 (May 24-June 5)
This program was designed with Animal Science majors in mind, with a focus on dairy production and management, profitability and the role of culture as it relates to regional cheese production. Students will be directly exposed to farmers, cheese makers, animal science professors, students and people in Italy. The program includes several technical visits, in which students will have tours of various farms and lectures on their production systems. Then students will do tastings, discussions and reflections after each visit. The program also includes guest speakers at different Italian Universities, in which UF students will listen to top-notch Italian scientists and have an opportunity to discuss and interact with them.
Contact: Dr. Antonio Faciola
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Italy - Food Production to Consumption: Full for Summer A 2027 (TBD)
Earn three credits studying Italian food from production to consumption. The course will cover important aspects of production of classical Italian foods and food systems in Italy. You will visit a variety of agricultural areas including grape, wine, olive, vegetable, wheat and deciduous crop regions, as well as dairy and cheese-making regions. You will see, study and taste many of these products as you are guided by the owners of these enterprises on comprehensive tours. You will also immerse yourself in the centuries’ old Italian cultures and customs. There will be ample opportunity to meet local farmers and vintners and enjoy each region’s unique cuisine.
Contact: Dr. Charlie Sims
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Japan - Medicine, Microbiology and Health: Summer A 2027 (May 17 - June 5)
Embark on a transformative journey with the University of Florida’s
“Microbiology, Medicine, Health, and Study Abroad Program” in Japan! This unique program is designed to broaden your understanding of medicine and healthcare while immersing you in the rich cultural tapestry of Japan. Explore Tokyo’s cutting-edge medical research facilities, uncover the ancient traditions of Kyoto, and dive into the serene beauty of Nara, discover secrets of longevity in Okinawa’s Blue Zone, all while gaining unparalleled insights into Japan’s healthcare system.Contact: Dr. Jo Marie Bacusmo
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Morocco-Leadership for Sustainability Trends and Traditions: Summer A 2028 (TBD)
During this immersive program, students will be immersed in the trends and traditions of Morocco regarding water use and other sustainability challenges. Such exploration is to prompt a critical, systems-based thought process regarding leadership toward solutions and innovations to address complex, adaptive challenges faced by Moroccan communities and cities. Additionally, students will learn from and speak to both indigenous leaders and sustainable development leaders within the Moroccan context.
Program Information (To be updated in August 2027)
Contact: Dr. Natalie Coers
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Portugal-Azores - Sustainable Tourism Service Learning: Summer B 2027 (June 28-July 25)
This program will focus on agritourism, ecotourism, and service-learning as models of success for agrarian life in the Azores. While undergraduate and graduate students studying agriculture, tourism, and sustainability will be immediately drawn to this program due to its emphasis on those elements, it will have value for students in both levels of study in engineering, business, and healthcare as well, who may be interested in observing how closed natural systems operate and integrate sustainability into business and technical decisions. The Azores is a unique environment not just due to the geological conditions that formed the Islands and continue to impact island life, but also as an autonomous region of Portugal. The government and people have invested heavily in sustainable tourism, with the Azores named the best Sustainable Destination in 2025 and winning many awards for their emphasis on sustainable tourism. Students in this experience will have an opportunity to see theory in practice through field trips and in-country service-learning opportunities. The study abroad program combines a quest 2 class that has been taught for years at UF (AEB2452 Agritourism and Food Systems) with a brand-new quest 3 course focused on service and experiential learning in a global conte
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Program Information (To be updated)
Contact: Dr. Misti Sharp and Jennifer Weeks
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Spain-Cultural Capital, Community Identity, & Sustainable Development Summer B 2027: (TBD)
This program provides a distinctive exploration of Spanish culture through the lens of cultural assets and their influence on community identity, sustainable development and the dynamics of preserving cultural traditions and practices. This 5-week study abroad program examines the conceptualization of communities and the different forms of community capital, including human, social, physical, financial, environmental, political and cultural capital. Students consider how these forms of capital contribute to sustainable development and community well-being. The curriculum integrates Spanish case studies, drawing on the country’s rich cultural diversity in food, music, arts and traditions. It also examines cultural nuances of Spanish society, including eating patterns and behaviors, cuisine and diet, language, family dynamics, Mediterranean time culture and the social organization of time. Students analyze how cultural heritage and community capitals intersect with institutions, policies and broader national and international development goals.
Contact Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar and Kimberly Wiley
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Thailand - Beekeeping in Asia: Summer A 2028 (Dates TBD)
The western hemisphere is home to only one honeybee species, but all nine honeybee species can be found in southeast Asia. This course will allow students to discover the amazing diversity of honeybee species and the different ways in which people
manage them. For two weeks, students will be exposed to Asian beekeeping as they explore different management styles and beekeeper purposes in Thailand. Students will visit multiple beekeeping operations throughout the coastal regions of Thailand and be immersed in the local culture.Program Information (To be updated August 2027)
Contact: Cameron Jack
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UK - Coastal Biology, Natural History: Summer A 2027 (May 25-June 15)
UF in the United Kingdom program will provide students with a hands-on understanding of the biology, natural history and culture of coastal England and Wales. The coast of the UK has a remarkable history that intertwines its unique cultural and biological characteristics. Students will learn how the coasts were formed and adapted to by a fascinating variety of plants, animals and human cultures. Some of these organisms and people are still around today, while others are long gone, leaving behind only their fossilized remains or archaeological evidence. In addition to meeting with local scientists, fishermen and conservation specialists along the way, students will also engage with their faculty and fellow students from the U.S., Wales and England.
Contact: Dr. Don Behringer
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UK -Exploring England Foodscapes: Winter 2026 (December 13-23)
By examining the production, transportation, and consumption of food through major eras in history, students will gain an appreciation of how geographical and cultural influences have shaped England’s food histories and agricultural systems. We will explore different periods of time in England by utilizing the many historical sites in London and Lincoln so that students can learn and experience what the region looked like during each time-period. Visiting museums, agricultural research and education institutions, community-based urban food initiatives and unique cultural markets and eateries, we will analyze and map regional food histories. London is the most ethnically diverse region in England with many citizens coming from former British colonies. In our neighborhood food tours the students will experience some of the eastside neighborhoods, home to former and more recent immigrants to England. Through these food tours, students will experience how the current foodscape of London is shaped in part by its diverse ethnic groups. We will analyze current global food production, consumption patterns and programs that address food insecurity in London’s rich urban food environment.
Contact: Dr. Kara Riggs and Rose Keonig
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UK - Exploring Science Spring 2027 (May 2-9)
This one-week program is led by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences but is very applicable to students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Students in this program will have the opportunity to experience two different cultures, English and Scottish, while learning about some of the most groundbreaking scientific discoveries made in the U.K. No science background is required to participate; all majors are welcome! The program will also introduce students to two universities they could later attend on exchange, for either a semester or an entire academic year: the University of Glasgow and University College London. Both of these exchanges are managed by Dr. Brian Harfe, who is leading this program.
Contact: Brian Harfe