International Opportunities in Horticulture at Auburn University

Abstract

International undergraduate study programs give students an advantage in the job market, broaden their understanding of and experience with other cultures, and allow them to develop professional international contacts. Since 2003, faculty and administrators in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University have been providing horticultural study tours for faculty and undergraduate and graduate students in horticulture. In 2003 and 2004, undergraduate students and faculty participated in an about 10-day non-credit study tour of gardens in London and southeastern England. In 2005, undergraduate students, a graduate student, and faculty participated in an 8-day non-credit study tour of gardens, horticultural production facilities, and natural ecosystems in Costa Rica. All of these tours in 2003 to 2005 occurred during the break between spring and summer semesters. In 2005, a 6-week study abroad program (1 June to 15 July) was offered at a college in northwestern England. Students received 13 hours of credit for four classes: Landscape Gardening, History of Garden Design, International Agriculture Seminar, and Herbaceous Plant Materials. In addition to class time, trips were arranged each week to regional gardens and retail and production facilities. Plans for 2006 include a week-long non-credit study tour of gardens and production areas in The Netherlands during the break between spring and summer semesters, a 2-week study tour of government, university, and agricultural production areas in Hungary in July (offered in conjunction with the College of Agriculture), and a repeat offering of the study abroad program in England.