UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Students in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will have the opportunity to study abroad while participating in an international sustainable agriculture project, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The grant is part of the department's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, which is aimed at establishing cooperation between institutions of higher learning in the United States and the European Union.

The Sustainable Crop Protection in Agriculture program will bring together students and faculty in agricultural and ecological sciences to develop a new curriculum in sustainable agriculture, emphasizing crop protection.

"This curriculum will be sensitive to and address cross-Atlantic differences in land management, social and cultural norms, and the introduction of knowledge areas such as chemical ecology, biological control and integrated pest management," says Deanna Behring, the college's director for international programs. "It's a unique opportunity for some of the leading agricultural universities in the United States and European Union to combine their expertise and perspectives in developing new courses and studying alternative agricultural techniques."

The participating institutions will identify a set of courses, develop research and professional internships, and design a multi-lingual Web resource and interactive technology to create international student problem-solving teams.

The project also will provide for a select few students to study at partnering universities and institutions. Behring says three Penn State students will travel abroad in year two, and four students will spend time overseas in year three, the final year of the project. During the project, a total of 42 students will be exchanged with participating institutions. "The project will enhance the ability of students to work and think internationally," Behring says.

A project Web site will disseminate information to students, faculty and the public, highlight research activities, make course content available in various languages, and showcase student papers, presentations and other achievements.

Students chosen to participate in the project will receive significant financial support, including travel, room and board, and reimbursements for any language courses that may be needed. According to Behring, semester tuition rates should remain the same. "Students chosen will have a range of options for their study, including semester-long course work at a participating institution, summer courses and research and internship opportunities," she says.

In addition to Penn State, partnering institutions include the University of California, Davis; the University of Illinois, Urbana; Gembloux Agricultural University, Belgium; Hohenheim University, Germany; Wageningen University and Research Center, The Netherlands; and Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon, France.

Seven students from the College of Agricultural Sciences will be selected for the program. Students with the appropriate background can contact Marilyn McPheron, education abroad advisor, by phone at 814-863-0249 or by e-mail at mbm8@psu.edu for more information.

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EDITORS: Contact Deanna Behring at 814-863-0249.

Kristie Auman-Bauer 814-867-2839

Chuck Gill Office 814-863-2713 FAX 814-863-9877