University of Wisconsin–Madison

Major Advising Page – Dairy Science

The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences strongly supports Dairy Science students gaining international experience to complement their UW-Madison program and open doors to future career paths. A study abroad experience can provide a unique opportunity to gain a global perspective on dairy production, animal welfare and ethics, animal nutrition and breeding strategies, and animal agricultural environmental aspects, while building regional knowledge and developing intercultural communication skills and networks.  Whether studying animal nutrition in the Netherlands, Dairy production in Ireland, or animal agriculture and sustainable development in Mexico, students can incorporate short-term and semester-long programs that specifically match their interests and career goals.  Students desiring an international experience have the ability to incorporate a study abroad program within their 4-year plan with advance preparation and scheduling.  Department study abroad funding is available to provide financial assistance to students.

Prospective Dairy Science students

Prospective students should familiarize themselves with the Dairy Science major requirements and explore international programs of interest to complement the UW-Madison program.  Intentional and early planning is beneficial as you prioritize your undergraduate goals. You should work with your academic advisor to draft a 4-year plan to include degree and major requirements, certificate requirements, what study abroad courses may meet major requirements, and other unique curriculum details.  Developing a framework will help determine which study abroad program(s) will be possible and determine the best time to fit a study abroad experience into your academic plan.

To gain background information about study abroad and the various programs available, attend the Study Abroad Fair on campus, visit the Program Search page, and/or meet with CALS Study Abroad Advisors.

To discuss how studying abroad fits within your career or professional goals in relation to the completion of the Dairy Science major, please visit the CALS Career Services webpage to schedule an appointment with a CALS Career Advisor.

Dairy Science course considerations abroad

Dairy Science majors are encouraged to build study abroad into their academic plan and discuss that plan with their major advisor. Depending on your academic plan and degree progress, you may be able to take a mix of major requirements and electives while abroad.

Students interested in completing Dairy Science requirements can select a program that offers coursework related to Dairy Science.  This coursework may include specific Dairy Science courses or major elective courses such as animal welfare, genetics, biology, statistics, or Agri business courses. There are highly respected study abroad programs that offer courses with pre-approved equivalents for UW-Madison courses that meet Dairy Science requirements. You are encouraged to consider other programs that meet alternative study abroad goals as well.  Several Animal and Dairy Science courses are offered once per year, so you should work closely with the Animal and Dairy Science advisor to ensure requirements will be met.  Completing core foundation science courses before studying abroad is also important. Taking summer courses can help students fit in a semester-long experience without taking heavy workloads at UW-Madison.  Students considering professional schools should complete prerequisite coursework at UW or seek additional guidance to address the application of coursework from professional school advisors.

The most common requirements that may be fulfilled through a study abroad program are:

Mapping your study abroad experience as a Dairy Science major

Dairy Science students can include a study abroad experience at any time during their program. Short-term experiences during summer and winter Intersession may fit well earlier into your curriculum, but most students planning for a semester abroad benefit from including a fall or spring abroad experience during their junior or senior year.  When selecting semester-long programs, the program you select will likely determine when the best time will be for you to go abroad. Students with very strong international interests can also consider completing a short-term experience as a freshman or sophomore, followed by a semester abroad.

Steps to get you started.

  • Explore and research available programs that interest you
  • Meet with the Animal and Dairy Science advisor to review your 4-year plan, the benefits of the program, and any special considerations that come with studying abroad
  • Communicate questions to the study abroad advisor assigned to the program(s)
  • Generate a list of pros and cons for any programs you are strongly considering

Freshman year

During freshman year, Dairy Science majors will focus efforts on completing general education and college requirements as well as introductory major coursework.  Explore short-term programs for winter Intersession or summer terms, and research fall and spring semester programs that interest you.

Sophomore year

During sophomore year, Dairy Science majors will continue moving forward with required Dairy Science courses, general education requirements, and college coursework.  Students considering professional schools should include additional core science courses to meet prerequisite needs.  Winter Intersession, Spring Break, or the Summer after sophomore year are also good times to consider studying abroad. Sophomore year is a great time to identify which semester abroad program you want to pursue for junior or senior year.

Junior year

Junior year is the most popular time for Dairy Science production students to complete a semester abroad. By junior year, you will have completed enough coursework to allow you to take upper-level and/or specific coursework abroad that will enhance your learning abroad.  Fall or spring semester may work well, depending on which program you select, but Dairy Science majors typically complete study abroad during the spring semester.  The summer after junior year also provides an excellent opportunity to study abroad that fits in between semesters at UW-Madison.  Professional school interests and required coursework may also dictate the best time to study abroad; for some students, the spring of junior year or even senior year may be a better option.

Senior year

There is still time to study abroad during your senior year, especially for students with double majors or professional/vet school students.  You are encouraged to study abroad during the summer before senior year or fall semester of senior year.  The senior fall semester requires careful program selection, and pre-approval of required coursework is important to ensure you meet senior capstone requirements.

Questions to Ask

Your Academic Advisor

  • What study abroad programs are you aware of that have valuable programs in Dairy Science that may match my interests and priorities? (Hint: There is a list of suggested programs below!)
  • Can I include study abroad if I want to go to veterinary school or a graduate program?
  • Will I be able to study abroad and graduate in 4 years, considering my other goals?
  • What are some specific curriculum details I need to consider when selecting a program?
  • Are there courses in the major that are offered once a year or that I have to take at UW-Madison?
  • What major courses or required courses can be taken abroad?
  • How do I determine if my study abroad courses will meet major requirements?

Your Study Abroad Advisor

  • What programs offer coursework that fits well with my major and my personal interests?
  • What are my financial aid and scholarship options for funding study abroad?
  • How do I select courses for my program?
  • What is the process for determining UW equivalents for courses taken abroad?
  • What are class structures like abroad, and how do they differ from those at UW-Madison?
  • What is the application and notification timeline for programs and scholarships?

Yourself

  • Why do I want to study abroad?
  • How will studying abroad enhance my education and personal growth?
  • What are my personal goals, and where is study abroad on my priority list? (e.g., graduating in 4 years, professional school prereq needs, double major/certificates/honors/research, etc.)
  • What type of learning experience do I want? Classroom, research, internship? Short-term vs long-term, during a semester or summer term? Do I want more than one abroad experience?
  • Is there a specific country, culture, or language that I want to learn about and experience?
  • How will I finance my study abroad experience, and what scholarships and financial aid are available?

Hear from students in your major

Explore student blogs and reflections to see how your peers have connected international experiences to their studies. Discover real stories about the skills, challenges, and professional insights gained through our programs.

Identifying programs that are right for you

The following are study abroad programs that may be of interest to students pursuing the Dairy Science major. The programs below have various durations and courses that may count for electives or requirements for the Dairy Science major. If you do not have specific requirements you need to fulfill, you will have much more flexibility as to program type and location.

Highlighted Semester-long Programs

  • Argentina:
    • IFSA Preveterinary Medicine
      This study abroad program is designed for pre-veterinary students to gain relevant knowledge through classroom coursework and hands-on learning through volunteering, internships, directed research, and networking. Take classes on topics like animal health management, animal genetics, and veterinary Spanish and engage in volunteer days or internships at an equine shelter, agricultural school, or veterinary college.
  • Ireland:
  • Netherlands:
    • Wageningen University
      This program offers classes that can fulfill major requirements. Participants take classes alongside local students and experience life at one of the world’s top agricultural institutions.

Highlighted Short-term Programs

  • Belize:
    • CELA Large Animal Veterinary Practice in the Tropics (winter or summer)
      3 credits; Designed for pre-veterinary and dairy science students, this two-week program gives participants opportunities to shadow and assist veterinarians on working ranches and farms while learning about husbandry, large animal agriculture, and health issues of horses, sheep, pigs, and cattle in Belize.
  • Greece:
    • Perrotis College (summer)
      6 credits; This six-week summer program includes a 3-credit class on the Greek Cultural Experience and the option to take an additional 3-credit class or engage in a 3-credit research or work internship:
      • Research internship: Students are matched with a Perrotis faculty member based on the student’s research interests and the faculty member’s research needs. (Example of past research topic: dairy cattle reproductive physiology.)
      • Work internship: Students enroll as work interns with the Dairy Farm unit, gaining practical hands-on experience.

Other Programs That May be of Interest

The programs below may not have courses that fulfill specific major requirements but may be of interest to Dairy Science majors.

International Internships

International internships are another way to gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning course credit. While you can often participate in a part-time internship as part of your study abroad program, it is also possible to participate in an Internship-focused program or a UW Signature Internship.

Search all programs

Research all programs using the Program Search page. The above is not an exhaustive list of all programs. There may be other programs that are a better fit for your individual needs or interests.

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