Mission

The Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences offers a variety of international opportunities for students to participate in study abroad, research and internships. The centerpiece is the Global Studies Program, which is designed to provide a comprehensive international education program, including academic, training and research opportunities for students and faculty.

The First Students, Class of 1997: Sophia Morrison and Joseph Ham (Scotland), La Derrek Lee (Italy), Sherri Dickey (Slovakia), Jonathan Gray (England), and Kathy Carr, (Scotland — not included in photo)

The primary objectives are as follows:

1. To develop international internships, study abroad and research programs for Bumpers College students.
2. To internationalize the curricula in the Bumpers College through the development of new courses and a minor.
3. To facilitate faculty opportunities for collaborative research, visiting professorships, lectures and off-campus assignments.
4. To cultivate cooperative relationships with institutions of higher education and research centers in the UK and Europe and other agencies and universities in select countries.
5. To facilitate marketing arrangements between Arkansas businesses and potential international partners.

With GSP offices at the Scottish Agricultural College, Scotland’s National College for Food, Land and Environmental Sciences, international opportunities are available throughout Europe and have expanded to Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America.

Horticulture major Kristen Harper makes a weekend visit to Paris, while serving an internship at the Royal Botanic Garden in Scotland.

Flexibility is the hallmark of the GSP study abroad and internship program for students. Depending on the student's interest and time availability, opportunities could include study visits of three to five weeks, summer programs, internships or a full semester or year abroad. Each study program is planned in advance with the student and coordinated by the UA's Study Abroad Office and the student's adviser to complement the student's field of study and/or research. Scholarships and travel awards are available.

The Global Studies Program secured a unique internship for a poultry science student to apply his major in poultry science and minors in global agriculture, agricultural business and Spanish. He lived in Madrid, Spain, for eight weeks and worked for a food company that produces fresh eggs and egg products.

A horticulture student worked with Historic Scotland, which oversees the care of the country's most historic properties, castles and abbeys. He worked with garden supervisors at the Palace of Holyrood in Edinburgh, Stirling Castle and Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders. 

Faculty teaching exchanges, invited lecturers and research visits have been arranged with the Scottish Agricultural College, Napier University and Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Dundee and Dimitris Perrotis College of Agricultural Studies in Greece.

For additional information, contact the Global Studies office by e-mail.