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The College of Natural Resources thanks you for being a part of our success in 2024.
The Planet is Our Classroom
At the College of Natural Resources, students regularly embark on expeditions around the world to explore key topics related to their majors — from fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology to sport management to paper science and engineering.
These study abroad programs not only allow students to develop highly-valued skills that will allow them to make significant contributions to communities and industries, but to also experience new places and cultures.
In addition to semester-long programs offered by the NC State Study Abroad Office, the College of Natural Resources coordinates a variety of short-term study abroad programs for undergraduate students.
Each short-term study abroad program is led by faculty members from one of the three departments within the College of Natural Resources. Scroll below or click on the following programs to learn more:
The Bahamas
The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources coordinates a variety of study abroad programs for students to gain hands-on experience in wildlife conservation, forestry and other subjects.
- In FW 445: Human Dimensions of Conservation Biology in the Bahamas, NC State professors Nils Peterson and Brian Langerhans lead students on a two-week journey to Andros Island to conduct research on blue holes.
- Blue holes are essentially water-filled caverns or sinkholes that are open to the surface. They not only provide habitat for rare and specialized species, but they also serve as important water resources and sources of tourism for local communities.
- During their time on Andros Island, students measure a range of features across many blue holes to quantify and evaluate the patterns and determinants of biodiversity in and around the aquatic ecosystems.
- Students also enjoy a number of other activities, including two days of snorkeling along the Andros Barrier Reef. The reef stretches for approximately 124 miles along the ocean floor, making it the third largest barrier reef in the world.
Southern Finland
Every two years since 2007, the Department of Forest Biomaterials has coordinated the Paper International Experience for upperclass students enrolled in the Paper Science and Engineering program.
- As part of the most recent program in 2023, NC State professors Med Byrd and Hasan Jameel led a group of 46 students to Finland for tours of various pulp and paper operations and two universities with paper science and engineering programs.
- The group began their trip with nearly 28 hours of travel to reach the capital city of Helsinki, where they stayed for several days to tour the Valmet Fiber Technology Center, Aalto University, Valmet Järvenpää Pilot Plant and Sappi Kirkniemi Mill.
- After departing Helsinki, the group traveled to the cities of Jyväskylä and Tampere for tours of the Valmet Rautpohja research facility, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, Metsä Board Tako Mill and Tampere University of Applied Sciences.
- Students were heavily immersed in Finnish culture and history throughout the program. They not only had opportunities to explore and dine in each city, but they also enjoyed sauna boat cruises, international hockey matches and other unique experiences.
United Kingdom
NC State professors Michael Edwards and Kyle Bunds of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management lead students on a three-week trip to the United Kingdom every year to gain a global perspective on sport management.
- Students participate in classroom lectures and discussions at Winston House in the heart of London and then travel to surrounding cities to engage with industry professionals and scholars.
- A group of 14 students traveled to the U.K. this past summer to hear from Emily Iveson-Pritchard, head of sustainability at Surrey County Cricket Club; Darren Raczkowski, director of operations at London Stadium; Michael Lloyd, sustainability and logistic manager for Arsenal F.C.; and many others.
- Students visited a number of sporting venues, including Craven Cottage, Emirates Stadium, Hillsborough Stadium, London Stadium, Manchester Regional Arena, the National Cycling Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and StoneX Stadium.
- During their time in the U.K., students also had plenty of free time to explore their surroundings. They dined at local pubs and attended numerous sporting events, including a football match between Crystal Palace F.C. and Aston Villa F.C.