The agricultural industry is more globalized than ever and recruiters are looking for employees who are able to work in varied business environments. International programs enhance your global attitude and awareness and improve cultural competency skills. Studying abroad is also an opportunity to learn in different ways or to take courses that might not be offered here at Texas A&M University.
With the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences you have a wide range of opportunities to study, intern, research and volunteer abroad or virtually. In addition to all the opportunities open to students across campus, there are a number of programs open only to College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students.
Steps to Go Abroad:
- Create Your Profile & Log in to the Education Abroad Portal
If this is your first time, you’ll be asked several questions to help Education Abroad get to know you better. Take the Program Match Quiz which will assist Education Abroad in advising you, help narrow down education abroad programs and help you find the perfect opportunity to study abroad based on your academic and personal needs.
If you already know exactly what program you want to experience, go ahead and skip the Program Match Quiz and start your application!
- Get Advised
Talk with an academic advisor about going abroad and your academic progress. Let your academic advisor(s) know you are interested in an international experience, even if you are not sure what term you want to go.
While your academic advisor will not be able to tell you what program to go on, they know your degree plan and what courses you have available. Having this information will help you as you start researching programs.
- Explore Options
Start researching programs to go on and decide on a top 3-5 options.
Using ‘The Program Matching Quiz,’ you answer a few questions about what you’re studying and where you might want to go, and it matches you with all the programs in the A&M portfolio that might work with your international goals.
Next, explore these top choices in-depth to determine which meets your own personal preferences and what courses are the best fit for your degree plan.
Questions to Ask:
Deciding to study abroad is a process and the questions that need answering are: If, When, Where, Why, How, and For How Long to study abroad. Various offices on campus and in COALS can help you along this journey.
For your Academic Advisor
When in my degree plan would be a good time to study abroad?
Are there courses that I can only complete on campus and when are these typically offered?
What core or major requirements can I complete abroad?
What remaining prerequisites must I fulfill, and how will an international experience impact my progress?
How many elective credit hours do I have remaining in my degree?
Are there any in-residence requirements I need to be aware of before I go abroad?
Does the department offer any international programs?
For the Education Abroad Advisor
What types of international programs am I eligible for?
What program models best fit my personal and academic needs?
How will I get approval and/or credit for my international program?
What are the financial considerations for my international program of interest?
Where can I find more information about scholarships and funding for my program?
For the COALS International Programs Coordinator
If you decide on a COALS sponsored international opportunity, the Coordinator can answer any specific questions you have about that program.
For the Faculty-Led Program Leader
If you are interested in a faculty-led program or a field trip, contact that program leader to answer any questions about academic content, proposed itinerary, potential cost, any prerequisite coursework needed, etc. The contact listed on the program brochure in the Education Abroad Portal is the best resource to approach about these programs!
For your Financial Aid Advisor
How do loans work for international programs?
What kinds of aid/loans do I currently receive, and are there any restrictions on this aid if I study abroad?
Have I reached the maximum of (name of) loan allowed per academic year?
When will funds be released for my term of participation?
How will additional scholarships impact my TAMU financial aid?
Program Types:
- Study Abroad – Take courses that apply to your degree with short-term or semester long programs.
- Faculty-led – Short-term programs led by TAMU faculty members and offer TAMU courses. Most programs are open to all majors, check eligibility requirements.
- Exchanges – Semester or academic year opportunities with COALS and TAMU international partner universities. Coursework is transferred back and applied to your degree program. Exchanges are usually available for a semester or a year but COALS has a unique catalog of summer exchange programs available only to COALS students. Exchanges are often the most affordable option as you pay TAMU tuition and then cover local room and board, which is usually lower cost than what you spend in College Station.
- Field Trips – Short-term trips that enhance an on-campus course. Field trips can happen during a semester, but usually take place in the summer or during semester breaks.
- Affiliate Provider – Programs from short-term up to an academic year through partner companies that specialize in international education. You will study with students from many other U.S. colleges and universities as a cohort. Often affiliate programs have a set of courses based on a program theme, but affiliate provider programs can also look just like an exchange where an entire university catalog of courses are open to you.
- Intern – Build your resume with international work experience with global agricultural businesses and organizations.
- Virtual – Collaborative study or intern programs that actively connect students with international peers, organizations, or companies through online platforms.
- Research – Conduct research with international organizations or independently and gain hands-on experience in the world’s top labs.
- Service-Learning – Make an impact by volunteering with international organizations in various fields including community health, youth development, animal welfare, and many more.
Additional Resources
- Texas A&M University Education Abroad Office
- Texas A&M University Education Abroad Office’s Funding Resources
- Texas A&M University Scholarships Office
- Texas A&M University Financial Aid Office
- AGLS International Programs on Social Media