How are Land Grant Institutions Internationalizing Undergraduate Agricultural Studies?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the status of international agricultural education at 1862 land grant institutions, by answering the question, what are our 1862 land grant institutions doing to integrate international studies into their undergraduate agricultural curricula? Two investigations were conducted: (1) a Web site content analysis and (2) an international director survey. A Web site-based content analysis was conducted to determine the contents of 57 land grant institution’s colleges of agriculture’ Web sites; it identified current trends in agriculture regarding international themes. The programs identified were: (1) student study abroad; (2) faculty research and/or programs; (3) graduate research and/or programs; (4) training and/or visitors; (5) international students on campus; (6) foreign agreements and/or contracts; and (7) majors, minors, certificates, curriculum, and course content. All questions were based on information for the 2003-2004 academic years. Of the 57 institutions surveyed, a total of 31 surveys were submitted for a response rate of 54%. The results of the content analysis and the survey indicated that the nature of international agricultural programs is predictable, yet approaches, support and implementation vary widely between institutions. Despite the strong belief in study abroad programs, very few agriculture students participate in study abroad programs at 1862 land grant institutions.