A new program initiated by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) Study Abroad Office will expand and enhance the college’s portfolio of short-term faculty-led study abroad programs for undergraduate students. 

“Through this program, we are creating and supporting a community of faculty and staff who are working to develop exciting and unique international opportunities for our students that will be available as part of our curriculum as early as winter break 2025,” said Ali Freter, Director of ACES Study Abroad.

As part of the Study Abroad Faculty-led Program Develop Academy, seven ACES faculty are currently developing new short-term study abroad programs:

Money and Happiness in Costa Rica led by Donovan Sanchez, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, set to run winter break 2025-2026 

Global Self-Advocacy in Italy (Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative program) led by Jeanne Kramer and Kim Patton, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, set to run winter break 2025-2026 

Cross-Cultural Exploration of Wetlands in Ireland led by Catlin Bloomer, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, set to run May 2026

Sustainable Food Systems in Italy led by Jack McCoy (previously led by Anna Ball), Department of Crop Sciences and the Sustainability in Food and Environmental Systems Program, set to run May 2026

The Rhetoric of Wine and Cheese in France led by Pam Axtman-Baker, Agricultural Leadership Education and Communication Program, set to run May 2026

The Science of Fermented Food and Health in Japan led by Sihui Ma, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, planned for summer 2027

As part of the program, faculty meet for monthly sessions that cover a topic related to new program development, including pre-departure course design, health and safety considerations, cultural intelligence and assessment tools, and they join an existing short-term program or conduct a site visit to gain firsthand experience on the ground. The program is co-led by Freter and ACES Study Abroad Faculty Fellow Meredith Blumthal.  

“The ACES Study Abroad Faculty-led Program Develop Academy will benefit both students and faculty. The goal is to gradually increase the number of high-impact study abroad experiences that we offer that also support the faculty leader’s research/teaching goals.” said Freter. 

Short-term faculty-led programs are tied to specific ACES courses, which allow for seamless integration into programs of study and the opportunity to travel with a cohort of fellow students from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.

Students can explore all of the ACES study abroad programs here.