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 2026 Global Food Systems and Health Study abroad program takes place from May 7 - May 286, 2026. Students will visit Madrid and Malaga in Spain and Florence in Italy. Applications close December 1, 2025.
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. You will interact with local food producers, farmers markets, government policy advisors, and University professors. In addition, you will 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 2026 itinerary include:
- Malaga: Field trips to historic food market visit and tasting, local food production, local artisan cheese production. Citrus tree farms and production. Wine production. Olive and almond farm visit. Picasso museum. Local food tastings.
- 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 class. Day visit to Cuenca. Day visit to Ribera del Duero region. Embassy visit.
- Florence: Visits to markets with tasting and history, restaurants and artisan food producers to explore the farm to-table supply chain and agritourismo. Cooking class. Day visit to Chianti and Parma. Parmigiano Reggiano and Balsamic production.
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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