Winter break 2026-2027
December 25, 2026 - January 13, 2027
Australia: Managing Diverse Ecosystems
Location: Australia
Fields of Study: Natural Resources, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Animal Science, History, Entrepreneurship, Agricultural Leadership
Program Highlights: Australia is one of the most biologically diverse countries on the planet. This program explores the complex environmental and social issues associated with managing Australia’s diverse ecosystems.
CASNR Faculty Contact:
Mark Burbach, Geoscientist, School of Natural Resources, mburbach1@unl.edu
More Information: Managing Diverse Ecosystems in Australia
Summer 2027
August 2 - 21
Botswana
Location: Okavango Delta, Botswana
Fields of study: Environmental Biology; Environmental Education; International/Global Studies; Natural Resources, Research and Conservation; Natural Sciences; Social Sciences
The program is a field experience to learn about modern conservation sites in Africa. The Okavango Delta serves as the backdrop for place-based learning about modern socio-ecological issues in the wilderness.
Contact: Gwendwr Meredith, Social-Ecological Rangeland Scientist - gmeredith@unl.edu
More Information - Wilderness in the 21st Century - Botswana
Summer 2027
May 9-16
Bahamas: Marine Ecology
Location: South Bimini, Bahamas
Fields of Study: Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources
Program Highlights: Immerse yourself in tropical marine ecosystems and gain hands-on field experience at the Bimini Biological Field Station in South Bimini, The Bahamas.
Contact: Rene Martin, Fish Biologist - rmartin52@unl.edu; Lindsey Chizinski, Lecturer in Ecology, SNR - lchizinski2@unl.edu
More Information - Marine Ecology in The Bahamas
Summer 2027
May - June
Germany: Sustainable Engineering and Planning
Locations: Osnabrück, Germany
Fields of Study: Sustainability Studies, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Design, Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Computer Technology, Automation Engineering Technology, Agricultural Mechanics & Equipment/Machine Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, Mechatronics, Robotics & Automation Engineering, Robotics Technology/Technician
Program Highlights: This six-week study abroad program is open to Biological Systems Engineering students. Running at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences in Germany, it blends sustainability, innovation, and cultural immersion. Highlights include survival German classes, hands-on academic units in agriculture and e-mobility—featuring topics like battery design, autonomous driving, and smart grids—and field trips to major industry leaders like CLAAS and Volkswagen's flagship factory in Wolfsburg. The experience is rounded out with guided city tours and weekend excursions to the North Sea and the Rhine/Ruhr area.
Contact: Santosh Pitla, Professor – Biological Systems Engineering and Interim Director, NU AI Institute - spitla2@unl.edu
Summer 2027
May 15 - June 4
India: Rice and Global Agriculture in India
Locations: Varanasi, India
Fields of Study: Soil Sciences; Environmental Studies; Environmental Science; Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture; Agriculture; Agriculture Operation & Related Sciences; International & Intercultural Communication; Development Economics & International Development; Engineering, Biology; History; Geography; International Agriculture
Program Highlights: This program immerses students in India's agricultural landscape, exploring rice production, smallholder farming, and global research communities. Set in Varanasi—one of the world's oldest and most spiritual cities—students will experience a multi-sensory living classroom, surrounded by ancient ghats (stepped riverfronts), centuries-old traditions, and vibrant local culture. This is a transformative opportunity for rigorous learning and unforgettable cultural immersion.
Contact: Jill Motschenbacher, Associate Professor - jmotschenbacher2@unl.edu
Summer 2028
Ireland: Horse Industry and Extension
Locations: Killarney, Ireland; Galway, Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Blarney, Ireland; Cork, Ireland
Fields of Study: Animal Sciences: Biology, Behavior, Ethology, Genetics, Health, Physiology, and Zoology; Livestock Husbandry and Production; Equestrian/Equine Studies; Veterinary Medicine; European/Irish History and Studies; International/Global Studies Veterinary Medicine
Program Highlights: Study and explore Ireland's major breeding, training, racing and schooling farms. View a variety of equine breeds and disciplines. Special emphasis will be given to the Irish Thoroughbred racing and Irish Sport Horse jumping industries. The influence of native Irish Draft and Connemara breeds will also be studied as important contributors to the economics of the Irish horse industry. The Irish and U.S. horse industries will be compared in an effort to understand their similarities in key issues.
Contact: Kathy Anderson, Professor & Horse Extension Specialist, Animal Science, IANR - kanderson1@unl.edu
More information: Horse Industry & Extension in Ireland
Summer 2027
May 9-18
Mexico: Global Agriculture and Culture - Mexico City
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Fields of Study: Agribusiness; Food Science and Technology; Agricultural Economics; Agriculture; Art; Art/Art Studies; Arts; Cultural and Ethnic Studies; Cultural Anthropology; History; International Agriculture; Latin American Studies
Program Highlights: This program includes a visit to discuss agricultural practices of the Aztecs and also agricultural practices of large multinational organizations such as Conagra. Students will visit the important cultural elements of Mexico City including the National Museum of Anthropology, the pyramids of Tenochtitlan, local parks, mariachi music venues and attend guest lectures at LaSalle University.
Contacts: Marnie Nelson, Director, Global Experiences Office - mnelson38@unl.edu
More information - Global Agriculture and Culture: Mexico City
Summer 2028
Namibia: Wildlife Conservation
Locations: Various sites
Fields of Study: Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Studies, History, Natural Resources
Program Highlights: Observe the varied approaches to conservation and gain first-hand experience in a country that has taken up the challenge to save wildlife species of serious concern.
CASNR Faculty Contact:
Lindsey Chizinski, Lecturer in Ecology, SNR - lchizinski2@unl.edu & Chris Chizinski, SNR Associate Director for Research - cchizinski2@unl.edu
More Information: UNL Education Abroad Program Info
Winter Break 2027/2028
New Zealand: Land of the Long White Cloud
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Fields of Study: Agribusiness, Agronomy, Animal Science, Environmental Studies, Food Science & Technology, Forestry, Natural Resources
Program Highlights: Enjoy summer in January in the Land of the Long White Cloud (New Zealand) while learning about a country diverse in both agriculture and natural resources. See how this small country has become a major player in the agricultural export market including dairy, sheep, deer, cattle and wine. Partake in the Polynesian culture and the adrenaline-pumping activities that make tourism the second leading industry in New Zealand.
Contact: Kacie McCarthy, Assistant Professor & Beef Cow-Calf Extension Specialist, Animal Science - IANR - kacie.mccarthy@unl.edu
More information: Land of the Long White Cloud in New Zealand
Summer 2027
May 9 - 29
Portugal: Food, Culture & Sustainability in Portugal
Locations: Lisbon, Portugal; Alentejo, Portugal; Douro, Portugal
Fields of Study: Soil Sciences; Environmental Studies; Environmental Science; Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture; Agriculture; Agriculture Operation & Related Sciences; International & Intercultural Communication; Development Economics & International Development; Engineering, Biology; History; Geography; International Agriculture
Program Highlights: Discover how agriculture, sustainability, and storytelling intersect on this 3-week journey through Portugal! Travelling from Lisbon to the Alentejo region and the Douro Valley, students will engage directly with local producers, environmental leaders, and policymakers. Learn firsthand how communication shapes global narratives around food systems, land stewardship, and environmental issues through immersive site visits, industry guest lectures, and hands-on field experience.
Contact: Laura Young, Associate Professor of Practice, laura.young@unl.edu
Summer 2027
May - June
South Africa: Conservation in Southern Africa
Locations: South Africa and Botswana
Fields of Study: Fisheries and Wildlife Management, Environmental Studies, Natural Resources
Program Highlights: This program is centered on a nature reserve in South Africa, Africa. Students will learn fundamentals of natural history, field techniques in conservation, bush survival and animal behavior.
CASNR Faculty Contact:
Contacts: Lord Ameyaw, Forester, Assistant Professor, School of Natural Resources - lameyaw2@unl.edu
Summer 2027
May 9-23
Spain/France: Culture, Food, and Innovation
Locations: Barcelona and Girona Spain and Lyon, Beaune, and Paris in France
Fields of Study: Agribusiness; Agricultural Economics; Agriculture; Culinary Arts and Related Services; International/Global Studies; Restaurant, Culinary, And Catering Management/Manager; Spanish and Iberian Studies; Tourism and Travel Services Management
Program Highlights: Spend two weeks interacting with Catalan and French educators, producers, students, and company representatives to see how practices and processes in the food industry are both similar and different from those in the United States. Take in lectures and site visits to learn about the culture, architecture, art, music, and historical sites in the Catalonia region (Barcelona and Girona) of Spain and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Lyon), Burgundy (Beaune), and Île-de-France (Paris) regions of France.
Contacts: Halle Ramsey, Chief Mindset Development Officer, Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program - hramsey2@unl.edu & Rosalee Swartz, Director/Program & Recruitment, Agricultural Economics IANR - rswartz1@unl.edu
More information: Culture, Food & Innovation in Spain & France