Summer 2007 not running

May 7 - June 4, 2006

Sponsored by the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Sponsored by the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, this program focuses on ornamental horticulture production, landscaping, and marketing in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (specifically England).

The Netherlands, known for production, marketing, and distribution of ornamental plants, will serve as the first location of study. Recognized for some of the world's most spectacular landscapes and gardens, England will complete the program offering a history of plant exploration, introduction, and evaluation dating back several centuries. During our time abroad visits to Wageningen Agricultural University, the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, commercial greenhouses and nurseries, retail garden centers, and arboreta, botanic and public gardens will be included.

From this program, you will.

LEARN:

• Nursery and greenhouse production practices and new greenhouse technologies including special quarantine production for pre-approved export to the United States and other countries
• Wholesale and retail marketing of ornamental plants
• About a diversity of plant material - hardscapes (such as retaining walls and patios), landscape maintenance, environmental issues - and how these elements are integrated into the landscape
• Plant identification, selection, and evaluation
• Greenhouse and nursery management practices to reduce water contamination
• History and culture of the Netherlands and England

MEET and INTERACT WITH:

• Researchers
• Greenhouse and nursery owners and managers
• Arboreta/garden curators
• Students from Wageningen Agricultural University

DEVELOP:

• An understanding of ornamental plant production practices
• Awareness of international marketing of ornamental plants
• An appreciation of the history and culture of the countries visited

What can I study?

Through lectures, field trips, reading assignments, and journal writings, you will be actively engaged in developing your own personal learning plan for this program. Faculty from Wageningen Agricultural University, along with MSU faculty, will teach you about the local production and export of ornamental plants and how this affects the people and environment.

All students will be required to enroll for a minimum of five (5) credits from the following courses:

If you require more than five credits, you must contact the faculty leaders prior to enrollment.

What are the requirements?

Although this program is designed for students interested in horticulture, agriculture, natural resources, and environmental and land use issues, students from all majors are encouraged to apply.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Applicants' participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Student dormitory rooms will be used at Wageningen Agricultural University, which include single rooms with either a private or shared bath (depending on availability).

Tourist-class hotels or bed-and-breakfasts will be used for the remainder of the program.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Tom Fernandez
Department of Horticulture
A-216 Plant and Soil Sciences Bldg.
Phone: (517) 355-5191 ext. 1336

Marcus Duck
Department of Horticulture
A-240D Plant and Soil Sciences Bldg.
Phone: (517) 355-5191 ext. 1351

Visit the program's Web site.

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of five to six weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program's itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

The program fee is expected to be between $2,500 and $3,000 (an exact program fee will be available once the budget is finalized) and will include the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations (most with breakfast)
• ground transportation
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program's departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

NOTE: All CANR majors are eligible to receive a scholarship from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. See Rhonda Crackel for details.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate, regardless of state of residence.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU's Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources also offers its students special study abroad scholarships. Check with Rhonda Crackel for further details.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.