
International Programs
In the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, we value global experiences that propel change and student development. Our faculty and students have worked in agricultural redevelopment in war-active countries, deliver youth programming in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, and are leaders and Fellows in our national and international professional societies.
In addition to international program opportunities in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, our department also hosts faculty-led education abroad programs, where students can take courses for credit in the spring, winter and summer terms!
Students enrolled in our department or the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who participate in faculty-led education abroad programs may be eligible funding and academic scholarships.

Contact: Dr. Gary Wingenbach
gary.wingenbach@ag.tamu.edu
Costa Rica
This program focuses on diversity of people and culture as it relates to United States’ and international agriculture. Importance is placed on living and working in a global, pluralistic society, and developing communicative approaches for solving technical and social problems.
This program helps you gain cultural perspective and broadens your knowledge of an international society. Costa Rica’s abundant variety of plants, animals, foods, agricultural practices, and cultural customs and traditions greatly facilitate the teaching and learning of cultural pluralism in agriculture. Explore Costa Rica with a nighttime rainforest hike, volcano Arenal hike, zip-line adventure, fishing for dinner, splashing under waterfalls, floating the river, viewing exotic animals and birds, and swimming in thermal hot springs. Experience black sand beaches and a world-class resort.
Program Highlights
- Arenal Volcano hike
- Night walk in the rainforest
- River float, hot springs, zip lines, and waterfalls
Program Requirements
- Open to ALL majors with a minimum GPA of 2.5
- No prerequisites required
- Students must attend all Study Abroad program-specific meeting(s)
All students are required to take at least three hours, but are encouraged strongly to take six credit hours, to participate in this program. Some coursework and/or class meetings occur before program departure and continue (course assignments only) into spring semester.
Namibia
Understanding and communicating Namibia’s agricultural issues through word and illustration are necessary skills for communicators of such issues. Texas A&M University and local Namibian agribusinesses provide Texas A&M students with an international high-impact educational experience. Courses are enhanced with study trips to Etosha National Park, Swakopmund, Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Waterberg, Twyfelfontein, the Kalahari and Namib Deserts, and to Damara, Himba, and San native villages to engage students in Namibia’s unique ecological and cultural heritage.
Pre-travel class meetings are held at the College Station campus during the spring semester. Opportunities are available for partial funding.
Program Highlights
- City tour of Windhoek
- Visits to the National Museum of Namibia and Independence Memorial Museum
- Visits to Etosha National Park Game Drive, Twyfelfontein World Heritage Site, and Walvis Bay
- Full day activity of Elephant tracking – participants will learn the process of how to read the landscape, track elephants, and spend time with elephants in their natural habitat
Program Requirements
- Open to ALL majors with a minimum GPA of 2.5
- No prerequisites required
- Students must attend all study abroad program-specific meeting(s)
All students are required to take the following courses. Alternative course credits available only to those who have previously taken the above classes.