The Germany study abroad program offers participants the fantastic opportunity to visit multiple farms, farm equipment manufacturers, food production operations, research facilities, wineries, and German cultural sites. In addition to visiting several large German cities, including Berlin, Stuttgart and Munich, students will have the opportunity to spend  time in quaint little towns, such as Hamlin and Rüdesheim.

Over the course of the two-week program, participants will travel to several locations throughout Germany visiting Schloss Vollrads (one of the oldest wineries in Germany), Amazone (a modern ag equipment company), several family-run farms, such as the St. Wendelinshof Hofgut Acker & Winery, the Forschungsanstalt Geisenheim Vineyards & Winery, the Deutsche Milchkontor (a large cheese manufacturer), the Leibniz-Institut for Agricultural Technology near Berlin and experience a virtual tour of the John Deere production plant in Mannheim!

Multicultural Perspective

In addition to gaining an understanding of German agricultural and food processing practices, program participants will receive insight into German economic, political, and educational systems, as well as basic German language training. By visiting cultural sites, such as Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, the castle Neuschwanstein, the Hermann Memorial, the Mercedes Museum, and numerous historical sites in Berlin, participants will get a good understanding of German culture and history.

At the conclusion of the program, participants will better understand the global dimensions of U.S. and Missouri agriculture and will:

• develop an understanding of German agriculture, farming practices, and food production styles
• gain insight into the similarities and differences between U.S. and German manufacturing, processing techniques, and food and beverage options
• compare U.S. and German educational models
• appreciate and better understand German culture

Location

Germany, the most highly populated member state of the European Union, is one of the predominant economic and political powers in mainland Europe. Worldwide leaders in industry, technology, education and philosophy (to name a few), Germans enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. Germany is the fourth-largest economy in the world by GDP, trailing only the U.S., China, and Japan.

Accommodation and Meals

Students will be housed in Youth Hostels. The concept of Youth Hosteling started in Germany in 1912 and then spread throughout the world. Rooms will be shared, and the number of participants in a room will vary from a single roommate in one location, to four or more in another. Most bathrooms will be shared, community facilities. Students should plan to bring their own towels. All housing costs are included in the program fee.

Although all breakfasts are included in the program fee, several of the dinners and lunches will be out-of-pocket expenses for students. A detailed itinerary clearly indicating which meals will need to be purchased by students will be provided. Students will be responsible for meal costs not included in the program fee. Though the individual spending habits of each student will vary, please see the budget information below for an estimate of the average out-of-pocket meal expenses.

Program Travel

International round-trip air travel will be arranged for the Germany group. The faculty program leader travels with the group flight to facilitate airport check-in and transfers.  Because of the fluctuation in airline prices, the airfare estimate is listed separately below; however, once group reservations are made and the flight is finalized, the ticket cost will be added to the program fee and billed to participants’ MU accounts.

All in-country program travel is organized by CAFNR and is included in the program fee. Some individual local transportation costs may be accrued by students wishing to explore program locations independently during their free time.

Academics

Students earn three credits of AFNR 2191: International Agriculture and Natural Resources (humanities; graded A/F). Students should work with their advisors to determine how these credits will count toward their individual graduation plans.

Please be aware that there will be at least four mandatory orientation meetings prior to departure. Most of these meetings will occur in April. Dates and times for the meetings will be available shortly after the confirmed program participant list is finalized, generally around mid-March. Participants will be notified of the meeting details via email.

Estimated Cost