Study abroad has become an emphasis in the department since 1997. Semester-long courses introduce the agriculture, horticulture and culture of a country. The in-class instruction is followed by spring break or summer travel courses to the country of study. These have been conducted to Scotland, Ireland, England, Costa Rica, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria, and Greece. The horticulture travel course (Horticulture 496) has been very successful with relatively high enrollments compared to other departments in the college and often provides students with their first international experience. Horticulture 511, our study abroad course to Costa Rica, is associated with the University of Costa Rica. It is one of two study abroad programs in the College of Agriculture that includes an exchange of students and faculty on an every-other-year basis. In one year, Iowa State students and faculty visit Costa Rica and in the next year, students and faculty from the University of Costa Rica visit Iowa.

The HORT 496 Horticulture Study Abroad course provides students an opportunity to immerse themselves in another country. The course is composed of two parts; a pre-trip class offered during spring semester, and the study abroad trip completed after the completion of the semester. The pre-trip course provides students the opportunity to study in depth about the country, or countries, that will be visited on the trip. Topics covered in the class generally include among others the country's: history; culture including food, music, dance, language and customs; agriculture systems; political system; and important landmarks. The study abroad trip at the end of the semester is about 10-14 days and affords students the opportunity to experience the country they have been studying first hand. In addition to giving students an important learning experience HORT 496 also meets the university's international perspectives requirement.

Hort 496 - Study Abroad to England -May 2012

Study Abroad 2011

Dr. Ann Marie VanDerZanden highlights the 2011 Ireland Study Abroad Trip
Karie Vrba shares her experiences in Ireland
Southern Italy 2010
The Netherlands 2008
Norway and Sweden 2006
Scotland 2005