Study Abroad Guidelines

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln November, 2000

Introduction

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) continues its tradition of emphasizing the importance of graduates having an understanding of the global community. CASNR embraces the goal established by the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges:

In the 21st century, an educated person will need to function effectively and responsibly in a global environment both in day-to-day work and social interactions. Providing this capacity is at the core of the educational mission. of.... institutions..... offering programs in food agriculture, and natural resources,.... human sciences, forestry, and veterinary medicine. College graduates of today must have a global perspective to be true "society ready graduates”. Ideally, all students will graduate, having had an enriching international experience and with global understanding that flows from it.

Globalizing Agricultural Science and Education Programs for America (National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, 1997)

CASNR has a goal of providing an array of study abroad opportunities that will contribute to the educational richness of all CASNR majors. Our goal is to provide an exceptional international educational experience for our students at reasonable costs. We are committed to supporting our faculty who assume the responsibility of leading study abroad activities. CASNR strongly encourages IANR faculty to assume leadership for appropriate study abroad activities. Study abroad provides students with a broader understanding of the nature and role of agriculture and natural resources in the integrated world economy and of the implications of world events for agriculture and natural resources in both the United States and abroad. It adds a global perspective to our student's professional preparation and globalizes our on-campus curriculum through its profound influence on our faculty participants which is reflected in their integration of international aspects into their courses.

Institutional Support for Study Abroad

There are two offices that provide unique support for CASNR students and faculty pursuing study abroad activities. The College Office is primarily responsible for the academic administration of the undergraduate, for credit study abroad experience and also provides limited scholarship support for students. Course equivalencies are often done in consultation with the Study Abroad Coordinator in International Affairs (IA) and the International Admissions Office. The College is responsible for identifying how credit earned will be applied towards a degree, as well as, administering the International Agriculture and Natural Resources minor.

The University of Nebraska has benefited from a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship between IA and CASNR. Each has a unique goal and specific objectives. IA deals with student issues, faculty exchanges, visitors, and programs outside the U.S. that are of interest to the general UNL campus. They have been highly effective in this role, and much of the university's stature in the international community depends on the continued activities of this office. CASNR deals with specific programs in agriculture and natural resources, seeking programmatic opportunities for joint research and education activities of mutual benefit to UNL and to institutions in other countries primarily in the areas of agriculture and natural resources. Both offices contribute essential programmatic components to the study abroad program, and the broader area of internationalizing our student experience on-campus.

UNL International Affairs Office

The mission of IA is to promote excellence in the international aspects of academic, research, service and outreach programs for UNL and all Nebraskans. The IA office conducts a series of activities vital to the international dimensions of education, and many institutional collaboration agreements at UNL are coordinated through this office. These include the following:

• International students and scholars: The office is active in recruitment and communication with prospective students, and offers several scholarships; close cooperation with students who are adjusting to a new culture, including personal, health, financial, and immigration issues; peer counseling and community support programs; social, intellectual, and recreational programs to enhance their UNL experience;
• Exchange and study abroad program: The Office offers a wide variety of foreign study opportunities to UNL undergraduate and graduate students for a semester, academic year, semester break (Winterim), or summer period (World Campus). A limited number of partial scholarships reserved for participation in study abroad programs are available. The office provides travel-related services to students and staff going abroad. The office administers the Nebraska Semester Abroad program for UN and state colleges; international teaching opportunities for faculty; other cooperative agreements with institutions in other countries including our participation in the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP).
• Resources and help for faculty: The office provides resources to faculty seeking international grants; administers International Small Grants Program to internationalize curriculum ($10,000/year); faculty in-service seminars and symposia; professional training programs for international scholars; assistance for faculty applying for Fulbright awards overseas; department grants for internationalization of curriculum. The IA library and resource center offers UNL faculty, staff and students information about working, traveling, or performing voluntary service in another country.
• Community building and internationalization: Office links community and business leaders with visiting international business and educational groups; work with community-sponsored programs such as the Asian Community and Cultural Center and the Hispanic Center; programs, workshops, and seminars for elementary and secondary teachers and administrators to enhance global perspectives in area schools; coordination of the E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues.

College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

The College faculty approved ten broad-based educational outcomes for the curriculum on January 7, 1992. Developing a global/cosmopolitan view of the world was one that was identified for future emphasis. Several initiatives were initiated and/or expanded to address this outcome.

• Curriculum: administer the list of courses that fulfill the 'International Focus Requirement' and the International Agriculture and Natural Resources minor. CASNR coordinates international teaching efforts and globalization of curriculum. The College encourages faculty to identify opportunities in which international modules could be added for credit and non-credit to existing courses.
• Distance Education Opportunities: identify and coordinate international courses and seminars in collaboration with international partners.
• Assessment: monitor the effectiveness and quality of international teaching efforts, and coordinate with UNL IA teaching initiatives.
• Study Abroad: identify opportunities for study-abroad programs that target agriculture and natural resources, particularly for undergraduate students. Administer all undergraduate academic credit for international experience and the College's study abroad scholarship program. Identify and coordinate undergraduate international internship programs. Encourage faculty and students to participate in study abroad programs.
• Agreements: develop appropriate bilateral and multilateral agreements, in collaboration with IA, to facilitate undergraduate student programs with universities in other countries.
• Facilitate: all undergraduate student study abroad and exchange programs. Both offices collaborate to provide the student and faculty with an efficient and effective process to ensure a successful study abroad program. If an undergraduate student is seeking academic credit and/or a scholarship; or if the faculty member will be responsible for a CASNR international course, the CASNR Dean's Office must be contacted. In all cases, IA provides guidance on international travel.

Guidelines

Study Abroad (International Institution Credit)

Some students elect to attend universities in foreign countries to complete one or more terms and have college credit transferred to UNL to apply towards their degree. Students should meet with an IA representative and their advisor, to select an accredited institution in the desired country, and develop an appropriate curriculum to meet their degree requirements and complete the Study Abroad Worksheet for Undergraduate Credit. Students must also have the course work pre-approved by the CASNR Dean's Office.

Short-Term Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to enroll for credit through AGRI 310 (Study Tours in International Agriculture) or NRES 315 (Study Tours in Natural Resource Management) . Generally, a three credit hour activity will be comprised of a 1 credit hour pre-tour orientation, 1 credit hour lasting approximately 2 weeks, and a 1 credit hour post-tour summary and evaluation. Some sources of financial aid require that students be enrolled for credit.

Assigning academic credit requires that the tour have a clear educational focus with measurable academic outcomes. A curriculum is needed which illustrates objectives, resources, and an itinerary that supports the objectives. Each study tour should be preceded by a minimum of a 1 credit hour orientation on the people, agricultural practices, natural resources, policies and regulations, and culture as they relate to the tour's educational objectives. Alternatives to a formal 1 credit hour orientation must be approved by the CASNR Dean. Students (undergraduate and graduate), post doctoral associates or faculty from the country to be visited are valuable resources for the orientation. A similar academic activity should occur after the tour to summarize and evaluate the tour as a learning experience. Students who do not enroll for credit are required to complete the pre-tour academic activities and are encouraged to participate in the post-tour activities.

Each study tour should have a lead faculty member approved by the Dean of CASNR responsible for the academic curriculum and evaluation. A second faculty member is encouraged to serve in a support role with the expectation and interest in serving as a lead faculty member with future tours.

Student Planning
Students are encouraged to plan a study well in advance (1 - 2 years). This allows adequate time to prepare for the tour to maximize the experience. This should include the appropriate language training and appropriate course work on the agriculture/natural resources and culture of the country to be visited. Adequate lead time also allows the student to accumulate the necessary financial resources.

Faculty Planning
Faculty should plan well in advance to incorporate the pre- and post-tour requirements into their on-going assignments. A budget should be developed and approved by all sponsors before the tour is advertised. Students must be provided with accurate estimates of expenses and reasonable expectations for any supplemental funding (eg. scholarships) that may be available.

Scholarship Support

Scholarship Funds
The College has two sources of funds available to support students international travel: the Kleis International Study Travel Grant Program and unrestricted general scholarship funds. The endowment supporting the Kleis International Study Travel Grant Program will generally provide $8,000 annually. These grants shall be used to subsidize expenses associated with a foreign study program for credit. CASNR will commit an additional $12,000 annually in unrestricted scholarships resulting in $20,000 annually in support of student international travel.

Availability
Funds are awarded based on the historical trend in student requests. Approximately 60% of all requests are made in the spring semester for summer short term study abroad and 40% are made for other study tours. Awards up to $12,000 ($4,800 Kleis International Study Travel Grant Program and $7,200 unrestricted) can be made in the spring semester and $8,000 in the fall ($3,200 Kleis International Study Travel Grant Program and $4,800 unrestricted).

Student Eligibility

 Kleis International Study Travel Grant Program

• Students must be enrolled in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, or any other program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln which is an agriculture related major, including but not limited to, Agricultural Engineering, Agribusiness, Human Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine and Rural Sociology.
• Students must be residents of Nebraska.
• Students shall have successfully completed a minimum of forty (40) semester hours (or the equivalent under any future system of awarding credits) toward a baccalaureate degree.
• Recipients shall have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or above (or the equivalent under any future grading scale) for all courses taken.
• Students shall be working to provide a minimum often percent (10%) of the cost of their college education from their own resources. This employment may be during summers or vacation periods rather than the academic year.
• The foreign study program for which the grant is awarded must qualify for credit for the recipient toward an undergraduate degree.

Unrestricted Scholarship Funds

• Students must be enrolled full-time in CASNR.
• Recipients shall have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or above (or the equivalent under any future grading scale) for all courses taken.

Guidelines
The procedure for awarding the Kleis International Study Travel Grant Program is well defined (APPENDIX 1). The Kleis International Study Travel Grant Program funds should be distributed across several different international travel opportunities, rather than invested primarily in a single event. The general CASNR policy is to give preference to students requesting international study as a part of an approved International Agriculture and Natural Resources minor.

Application Process
To distribute the funds across the wide array of travel opportunities, the deadline for submitting requests to support participation in the French Study Abroad Program is February 1, and October 1 for the Winter Interim. All requests will be made using the Kleis International Study Travel Grant Program application form (APPENDIX 2). Students that meet the requirements for eligibility for the Kleis International Study Travel Grant Program will considered for that grant program. All students eligible for scholarships, but not meeting the requirements of the Kleis International Study Travel Grant Program or not selected to receive a Kleis International Study Travel Grant will be considered for an unrestricted scholarship.

Selection Process
The selection process is done CASNR. Currently, the CASNR Associate Dean for Student Affairs is responsible to make selections consistent with the polices of the Donor and the CASNR Scholarship Committee guidelines.

Amount
The amount will be based on the projected student expense, other student financial support, and the number of students participating in the activity.