Processes, Sustainability, Entrepreneurship in the Agri-Food Industry
- May 11-25, 2025
- Credits: ABE 49500 or FS 49100 – 3 credits
- Cost in 2025: $4700 which includes international medical insurance, housing, all meals, admission fees, weekend trip, transportation in country and 3 credits. It does not include airfare, personal expenses or souvenirs.
- Leader: Teresa Carvajal & Fernanda San Martin-Gonzalez
- Callout: September 9, 2024 at 5:30 pm in ABE 1164
Discover how Spanish agrifood entrepreneur companies operate and explore the influence of food properties and processing on product performance. Participants will immerse themselves in the Mediterranean culture and lifestyle, experiencing life as the locals do—visiting workplaces, shopping, dining, relaxing, and exploring the most fascinating spots in Valencia.
This faculty-led global experience program consists of a 15-day three-unit course. This unique opportunity is designed to familiarize students with the operations of entrepreneurial agrifood companies in Spain and to demonstrate how product performance is achieved through technical concepts, environmental surveillance and embracing continuous innovation for sustainability keeping in mind work-life balance and the intersection with global health. The course includes visits to various agricultural fields and industries to observe processes and environmental conditions involved in the handling and production of food. Students are encouraged to connect current agrifood activities with their respective courses, i.e. technical and non-technical concepts.
The primary objective of the visit to Valencia is to bridge diverse disciplines, including economic, technical, cultural, and social aspects, which are vital to the manufacturing field and essential for a successful startup or professional development. The program aims to help students connect various pieces of information to control behavior, make predictions, engage with technology, and manipulate systems for desired outcomes at different levels. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to compare and apply these insights to practices in the U.S.
This unique learning experience is designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and the practical application of knowledge, encouraging students to consider the impact of their learning on future decision-making as professionals.
This two-week international course in Valencia, Spain, is intended to enhance technical and intercultural skills. As a newly offered program, it will run Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, unless specified otherwise. The schedule includes lectures from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, followed by visits to various industrial and cultural sites from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM, with meals at 2:00 PM. The program will take place at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Spain's top-ranked technical university and one of the best in the world.