Global Food Systems and Health Study Abroad
Global Food Systems and Health
The Global Food Systems and Health Study Abroad is designed for majors with a food and/or health focus: Food Science, Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics, Biosystems Engineering, Food Industry Management, and Pre-health Professional majors.
The 2027 Global Food Systems and Health Study abroad program takes place from (tentative) May 13 - June 2, 2027. Students will visit Madrid and Extremadura in Spain and Lisbon in Portugal. Applications close November 30, 2026.
As a participant in the Global Food Systems and Health program, you will explore how geography and climate influence food production, food systems, food choices and health outcomes. focusing on cardiovascular disease risk. You will interact with local food producers, farmers markets, government policy advisors, and University professors; and engage in local food cultures to develop a global perspective on dietary patterns, food systems and health outcomes.
You will learn:
- The major European Union food regulations and how they compare with U.S. regulations
- Food production, food processing and branding
- How geography influences food production, processing, marketing and branding
- Commercial and artisan food production technology in Spain and Italy
- How dietary patterns, influenced by geography and culture, influence chronic disease risk
You will meet and interact with:
- University professors
- Government officials
- Scientists
- Industry leaders
- Local food producers
- Local health professionals
You will develop:
- An understanding of the complexity of regulating a global food market
- An understanding of how geography influences food, food production, regional food labeling and marketing
- An appreciation for how dietary patterns, influenced by geography and culture, influence chronic disease risk
- An appreciation of the history and culture of the countries visited
- A portfolio of professional contacts and reference materials
- Professional and interpersonal skills
Translate your study abroad experiences into a competitive advantage in the workplace!
Highlights of the 2027 itinerary include:
- Madrid: Discussions with local food producers and industry leaders; observe local food production systems, market visits with tastings, International organizations in food production, regulation and health. Cooking classes. Day visits to Ribera del Duero, Consuegra windmills and Toledo. Embassy visit. Guest lectures on food and health.
- Extremadura: Agritourismo visit for olive oil, saffron production and the famous black label Iberian ham production.
- Lisbon: Visits to markets with tasting and history, restaurants and artisan food producers to explore the farm-to-table supply chain and agritourismo. Cooking classes. Port wine tasting. Day visit to olive oil, fig farms etc.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine food and health!
For more information, visit the MSU Education abroad website. To learn about study abroad scholarships and financial aid offered to students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, click here.
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