Agriculture Study Abroad

Agricultural Technology and Automation Adoption in Brazil

Course Description

Brazil is a country that is rich in beauty, culture and diversity, which is especially visible in their agricultural production systems. Most have heard of the fabled Mato Grosso soybean production region, but many do not realize that 80% of the farms in Brazil are less than 125 acres. This 2-week course will explore the size diversity in Brazilian agricultural production and the impact of size on the adoption of advanced technologies and automation, particularly in soybean, corn, coffee, sugar cane, and greenhouse production systems. Tours through Minas Gerais and São Paulo states will focus on various agricultural and research sites and cultural attractions to introduce students to issues facing Brazilian agricultural systems and Brazilian culture. This program is open to students at Iowa State University and the University of Kentucky in the US, and is offered with the support of their “sister” university, Federal University of Viçosa in Minas Gerais. A visit to the campus will allow for ample student and faculty interaction and an introduction to the university culture in Brazil. The multi-state tour ends with a visit to one of Brazil’s largest and most vibrant cities - Rio de Janeiro.

Term: Summer 2010   Start Date: 5/9/2010  End Date: 5/24/2010


Pre-departure Orientation Class

Pre-departure orientation class for this travel course will start the second half of the spring 2010 semester on Wednesdays from 4:00 – 6:00pm. Please mark it on your calendar if you decide to apply to this program.

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Travel Itinerary

Enrollment Limit: 15
Application Deadline: January 15, 2010
Application Fee: $10

To apply for this program please go to http://isuabroad.iastate.edu

Program Cost

Program Fee : $2,450 including airfare, lodging, transportation, group meals, visa, all program coordination.

Other Fees - 1) $10 program application fee to the Ag Study Abroad office; 2) $105 study abroad administrative fee charged by Study Abroad Center. No additional tuition.

Out of Pocket Personal Cost - 1) passport which costs $100 if you don't already have one; 2)ISIC (International Student ID Card) which costs $25.50; 3) meals on own estimated at $100; 4) incidentals estimated at $200; 5) health insurance if you are not covered on your existing policy; and 6) immunizations (varies based on where you go). Of course, there are also other personal costs, such as souvenirs, etc.

Program fee and the $105 administrative fee will be applied directly to students' Ubill .