The CALS Study Abroad Office supports efforts for student participation in international internships, service learning, and research abroad opportunities.
An internship experience is not guaranteed for every student, as it can be difficult to find willing mentors and organize in short notice. Additional costs may apply for internships and international internships are typically unpaid, but a few programs may offer stipends.
CALS students have the unique opportunity to engage in service-learning opportunities at two campuses- the Mpirigiti Rural Training Center in Uganda and the Fork in the Road Facility on the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands. Students can earn credit towards their ISU degree programs and gain hands-on experience in their areas of study. These locations offer summer and semester-long programs for CALS students to engage in local communities and immerse themselves in another culture.
Summer Internship Options:
Greece- American Farm School - Perrotis College
- Students enroll in a work internship for the summer in one of our educational farm units; including our Dairy Farm unit, Poultry unit, Horticulture unit, Olive farm, and Dairy Processing Lab. All students that participate in this program can earn academic credit and also take a Greek Culture Course for three credits.
- Dates: June – July
- Cost: Student pays summer program fee. Program fee includes room and board, tuition and fees, meal plan, international health insurance, and three excursions to Athens, Meteora, and a sailing trip to Halkidiki. Additional costs may apply based on the internship.
France- UniLaSalle
- Internship component for four weeks following participation in one of the summer programs.
- Culinary Science for Health Benefits
- Typically starts in early June. Intensive, interdisciplinary program combining culinary arts, health sciences and professional practice and their application to health benefits.
- Geological Field School in France
- Typically starts in mid-May. Extend learning from the classroom to the field in sediment mapping and mapping of magmatic or volcanic areas, or, alternatively, study the Alps transect or sequence stratigraphy in situ.
- Culinary Science for Health Benefits
- Dates: May-July
- Cost: Student pays summer program fees and ISU tuition and fees to transfer credits back. Additional costs may apply based on the internship.
France- Agro3
- Internship opportunity is through ISARA in Lyon, France. Student must participate in summer program and then can intern on a French farm following the program. The summer program area of focus changes each year but includes French language lessons, classes, excursions, and hands-on learning opportunities. Sufficient knowledge of French is important – Some farmers speak English.
- Dates: June – August
- Cost: Student pays summer program fees and ISU tuition and fees to transfer credits back. Additional costs may apply based on the internship.
Kenya- Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project
- Fully-funded research opportunity on the behavior and ecology of wild olive baboons in Kenya. Participants must commit to the full 8 weeks of the program.
- Dates: June-July
- Cost: Most costs are covered by the project and participants will receive a stipend of $600/week
- Contact Dr. Corinna Most (cmost@iastate.edu) for more information
Winter Break Options:
- Open to any undergraduate student (freshmen through super senior) with a major in the agricultural and food sciences (based in College of Agriculture and Life Sciences). Program takes place at Chitale Dairy in Bhilawadi, Maharashtra, India.
- Dates: January (before spring semester starts)
- Cost: Student pays a program fee plus international travel insurance
- The Next Generation Institute is for upperclassmen undergraduate and graduate students interested in learning more about rural development. The institute will take place on Iowa State's satellite campus in Kamuli, Uganda.
At the end of the Development Workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe and explain components of high-impact activities used in sustainable rural livelihood programs.
- Examine good practices used in rural development programs and integrate these into project designs.
- Create a new project design for use in a sustainable rural development program.
- Dates: January (before spring semester starts)
- Cost: Student pays a program fee plus international travel insurance
Partner Universities that offer internships during a semester exchange program:
Brazil- Federal University of Vicosa
- Students can participate in an internship while studying at UFV. They will work with the UFV Office of International Affairs to set up an internship with UFV or a company and receive credit for their work. The internship must be in addition to taking at least 12 ISU credits to maintain full-time student status. Students should be fluent in Portuguese.
- Dates: February - July or August – December
- Cost: Student pays ISU tuition and fees. Additional costs may apply based on the internship.
Germany- University of Hohenheim
- The University of Hohenheim provides students the opportunity not only to study but also to do research in Hohenheim. Students can participate in research in addition to taking at least 12 ISU credits to maintain full-time student status. It is best to apply at least five months in advance with the supervisors you are interested in working with.
- University of Hohenheim Research Opportunities
- Internship opportunities available: April - July or September – December
- Cost: Student pays ISU tuition and fees. Additional costs may apply based on the internship. Funding is also available through the Baden-Wurttemberg scholarship in the amount of 700 Euros/month.
ISU programs that offer service-learning working opportunities:
US Virgin Islands- EARTH Service Learning on St.John
- Students will learn about the culture of the people of the Caribbean and U.S. Virgin Islands’ agriculture and ecosystems, while participating in service-learning activities focused on a variety of topics in environmental science, horticulture, sustainability, soil science, culinary science, education, communication, and more! Potential to earn ISU online credits while earning credits for service learning. Students can also work on a National Park Service project for up to 10 hours a week for $15/hour.
- Dates: January - May, June - July, or August – December
- Cost: Student pays program fee. Additional costs may apply based on the internship.
Uganda- Semester Along the Nile: Learning in Uganda
- This program allows College of Agriculture and Life Science students to complete academic coursework, including service learning, while living and learning in Kamuli, Uganda. Students will work alongside Makerere University students to provide significant service learning to the rural communities in the Kamuli District. Students can take online ISU classes for credit or earn GLOBE credits to count towards international perspective or general CALS electives.
- Dates: January - May, May - July, or August – December
- Cost: Student pays program fee.
Third Party Internship Programs
If you are interested in participating in a third-party internship, you will need to contact the CALS Study Abroad Office to register your travel. Please email calsstudyabroad@iastate.edu or stop by 0018 Curtiss Hall to learn more.
Global Sustainability Scholars: The Global Sustainability Scholars program brings together talented undergraduates for a paid summer immersive experience, where students travel abroad, conduct research, and build their professional network in real-world sustainability issues.
School for Field Studies: Iowa State University partners with the School for Field Studies to offer unique field experiences for students interested in environmental research in some of the most remote locations around the world! Studying abroad with SFS, you live and learn alongside a group of peers who are motivated, passionate, interested in the environment and field work, and curious about other cultures and communities. SFS programs are rigorous and often intense, but they bring students together – you begin the program as a group of individuals from diverse backgrounds and leave as lifelong friends.
-
Australia: Rainforest ecology and Australian mammal focus
-
Kenya: Animal ecology, endangered species conservation focus
-
Tanzania: Animal ecology, wildlife conservation focus
-
Bhutan: Mountain ecology and Buddhist philosophy influence on conservation focus
-
Cambodia: Community conservation and Asian elephant ecology focus
-
Costa Rica: Sustainable food systems and environmental justice focus
-
Panama: Rainforest and marine ecosystems focus
-
Turks and Caicos: Marine conservation and marine fauna focus
Field Study Abroad: Applied Ecology and Conservation Internships in Southern Africa. Options to work on five different projects: Cheetah Rewilding, Big 5 Conservation, Tropical Marine Conservation, Orphaned Rhino Rehab and Release, or Wildlife Center. Typically program length is 2 weeks but can range from 1 - 12 weeks.
Isla Internships Abroad: Hands-on, highly affordable global development internships that align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Located in Bulgaria, Kosovo, India, Spain and Uganda.
Loop Abroad: Pre-Vet Experiences in Thailand, South Africa, Australia, Costa Rica, and the US.
Interested in learning more about a specific program? Stop by our office, 0018 Curtiss Hall or set up an appointment with a study abroad advisor.