This program will not be accepting applications for the 2024-25 academic year.
France, Lyon
This Exchange is offered by the College of Agricultural and Life Science (CALS) in partnership with IAP.
France’s strong agrarian tradition together with its appreciation of fine food makes it an ideal destination to learn how French and European agriculture is managed, dealing with the many challenges facing the preservation of natural resources and sustainable food systems. ISARA Lyon specifically has been recognized for its excellence in agroecology and sustainable food systems.
On this exchange program, students are able to take courses in English relating to the following subject areas:
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Agriculture, Environment and Resource Management
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Sustainable Rural Development
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Markets and Corporate Management
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Food Science and the Management of Food Industries
Ranked as the 14th best student city in the world, Lyon totals 163,000 students, among which 16,000 international students. Lyon is part of UNESCO's world heritage and possesses rich cultural and gastronomic tradition.
ISARA is situated in an area of Lyon known as the "Agrapole," a cluster of over 50 professional organizations that specilalize in the agriculture and food sectors. ISARA Lyon, along with ISA Lille, is part of the France Agro 3 network, a consortium of French higher education institutions that specialize in Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences.
Learning Objectives
We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:
- Navigate the French education system and adapt to new learning and teaching styles
- Strengthen French language skills
- Achieve personal development and the ability to adapt to a new culture
- Gain an understanding of Isara Lyon’s sustainability practices by learning how to:
- Apply agroecological practices by organic farming in mountainous regions
- Manage biodiversity by exploring fish pond systems in agricultural landscapes (Dombes)
- Diversify food systems by exploring the economy of sustainable food systems (Alps)
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.
Sustainability
We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.
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Eligibility
Preference for students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
- 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Junior, Senior
- Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
- Good academic and disciplinary standing
- At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution
Advising Location
Program Structure
Exchange & Direct Enroll
Subjects
Agroecology, Food Science, Environmental Sciences, Agronomy, and Agriculture
Classroom Language
English
Housing
Residence Hall, Apartments
Program Duration
Fall: September - December
Spring: January - June
Summer: ISARA Lyon also offers an Agroecology Summer School and a farm internship option. Visit the program page for more information.
Application Deadline(s)
Future durations will be posted at a later date.
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Graduate level courses are open to all exchange students at ISARA, including undergraduate students, as long as they have sufficient prerequisite knowledge of the subject. Please refer to the ISARA Course Guide for a list of courses offered in English. Courses taught in French are also available to students with an advanced level of French language.
During the fall semester, student can choose to participate in a pre-mapped semester that is part of an existing European Double Degree Masters program with ISARA Lyon:
- Agroecology (1st semester)
- Sustainable Development in Food Industries (3rd semester)
Each semester will consist of four modules, for at total of 30 ECTS credits (15 or 16 UW credits, depending on the program).
Agroecology Semester (Fall)
The Agroecology semester starts with a field trip to a selected region in France. Students will visit different stakeholders to analyze specific question on landscape and agricultural management, such as constraints and potentials of the prevailing cropping and livestock production systems, or landscape and biodiversity management systems.
In the second module, students will gain applied knowledge on different agroecological cropping practices such as conservation tillage, direct seeding, intercropping, cover crops, and biological control.
The third module deals with the world ecosystems and their prevailing agricultural systems, taking into account influencing factors such as economy, politics, land tenure and social issues. Students will learn which resource conservation techniques are feasible in the different agroecosystems, but also what role indigenous knowledge of farmers plays in traditional and modern agriculture.
The fourth module deals with the management of agroecosystems and implication from policies and nature conservation. Topics covered include: agri-environmental measures; international conventions impacting agriculture; protected areas and agriculture; and ecological corridors in agricultural landscapes.
In the project management module, students will deal with different real-life projects. In groups, they will analyze a demand from an external client or conduct a research project. The objectives are to use different methodological and project management tools, and to apply disciplinary knowledge acquired in previous courses.
Sustainable Development in Food Industries Semester (Fall)
Students will acquire this knowledge from lectures, personal research work and literature, external conferences on hot topics (e.g. eco-conception,...) and apply them within real-life group projects proposed by food organizations.
At the start of the module students will participate in a 4-day study trip in a European country to compare European approaches of sustainable food processes. Teaching is conducted by professors from ISARA Lyon as well as by advisors and professionals from the food sector in order to provide students with a variety of operational points of views on the subject. The objective is to provide openness on international food issues including country-wide and cultural differences.
Based on the knowledge and skills acquired, the students organize debates on various current topics. In this respect, they should be careful to cover the wide spectrum of each issue (e.g. economic, environmental and social aspects of the question). Examples of topics debated: "Can we feed the world with insects?"; "The history and perspectives of blue-collar work in the food industry…" Throughout the module, creativity tools will be used for problem solving or business creation perspectives.
Students learn to put together technical knowledge (food science, production management, energy saving….) and a holistic view on the food production chain including management, profitability and social considerations.
Spring Semester
During the spring semester, students can take courses in English related to Agriculture, Environment & Resource Management; Food Science and the Management of Food Industries; and Sustainable Rural Development. Students with an advanced level of French can also take additoinal courses offered in French related to those topics.
Foreign Courses
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents