WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT OF THIS PROGRAM?
The Short Study Program matches interested internationals who want to learn about American farm practices with farms that enjoy teaching. Visitors come with some basic knowledge of agriculture in general. They are often ag students completing an internship. They want to learn, and they expect to have hands-on experience while here.
Visitors have basic English skills, with a desire to improve while here. Hosts help visitors improve English through conversational English.
Hosts will give the visitors experience in all areas of the farm, with encouragement as the visitor tries and learns new skills. If desired, hosts will help visitors arrange other tourism opportunities in their area. Hosts also provide housing, food and health insurance (through the program), plus work boots (to avoid transferring disease).
FEES
Visitors pay $600, which includes:
- Initial interviews and screening of visitors and hosts.
- Matching of visitors and hosts.
- Documentation to present at US Embassy, if needed.
- Confirmation that host will pick up visitor at nearest airport.
- Enrollment and administration of health insurance.
- Check-ins upon arrival, at mid-point and end of visitor’s stay.
- Availability to help resolve any problems, via toll-free telephone access or email.
- Assistance in changing farms if there are serious problems that can’t be resolved. This is not a normal occurrence, and is only done in rare cases.
- E-newsletter.
- Certificate of completion at end of program.
- Options to attend additional courses or ag tourism opportunities.
- 10% discount on any Global Cow offering.
- 50% discount on Global Cow fees for additional exchange opportunities in other countries.
WHEN CAN I START?
- Any time, with larger groups typically in the months of July & August.
- Processing time is between 2-4 weeks to find a farm, plus visa approval in-country.
- There is typically more availability in the months of June, July and August, but there are placements available throughout the year.
