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UW Agriculture, Health & Nutrition in Uganda

Onions, tomatoes, garlic, and other fruits and vegetables on a large table.
Program participants sitting outdoors on plastic chairs, listening to a speaker. Land is being farmed in the background behind them.
Seven students being led by a guide through a grove of trees.
Program participants and other individuals posed in two rows in front of a beige wall.
Three elephants in a small grassy clearing surrounded by short trees and bushes.
A student posed next to a curved sign that reads "EQUATOR".
Many individuals, at a distance, tending to a field of leafy crops.
Two cows, near an enclosure, with rows of corn behind them.
Three large cows submerged up to their chests in water. A grassy bank is just behind them.
Program participants and other individuals posed in three rows outside of a farm.
Dozens of potted plants enclosed by a stone wall.
Colorful boats moored to a grassy bank. Small wooden buildings are just behind them.

Please be advised that this program goes to a country under a current Level 3/4 Travel Advisory. This program had been approved for travel following the policy outlined in UW-Madison’s “International Travel Policy" but cannot run until the current Ebola outbreak is declared over.

Uganda, Multiple

The UW Agriculture, Health & Nutrition in Uganda program is offered by the College of Agricultual and Life Sciences (CALS) in partnership with IAP.

The Uganda Program is a unique study abroad experience that combines field visits and classroom learning with the study of health and nutrition topics in the developing country of Uganda.

The classroom seminars focus on the broader issues that impact health and nutrition in Uganda including politics, economics, education, history, women’s studies, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS.

During the field study, students visit various health care facilities specializing in nutrition rehabilitation, traditional medicine, and HIV/AIDS. This includes both rural and city hospitals, drug dispensaries, and village homes. You will explore the links between agriculture, nutrition and health by visiting agricultural research centers, water treatment centers, NGO’s, the U.S. Embassy, or an orphanage. There are also opportunities to visit cultural areas such as Murchison Falls National Park and the source of the Nile River.

The program is made possible by energetic participation and support from many community and school groups including the Lweza community and area primary schools, local and regional health authorities including Mukono Health Center 4 (HC4), the in-country service provider Uganda Trails and Tours, and a local support organization called Village Health Project-Uganda.

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:

  • Provide a broader perspective on the many agricultural food, health and nutrition issues faced by billions of people around the world
  • Develop sets of questions that people in developing countries must confront in their daily lives relating to the food they eat and their health and nutrition. Such as:
    • What are the common nutritional deficiencies in developing countries?
    • Why do people have vitamin deficiencies?
    • How do politics and economics affect the health of people in developing countries in general and Uganda in particular?
    • How is HIV/AIDS affecting life in Uganda? 
    • Why has Uganda been so successful in its fight against HIV/AIDS?
    • What is the relationship between nutrition and the many infectious diseases confronting people in Uganda – most specifically, the children?
  • Learn more about specific cultural, social and environmental factors that affect people’s health and nutrition. Make strong connections to the relationship between food - how it is grown, stored, and consumed - and health and nutrition
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and comparative perspectives with respect to experiences or cultural approaches to international challenges

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

  • Students must enroll in a pre-departure course during the fall semester prior to the Uganda program in order to be eligible to participate in the study abroad component of the program. Students will be given permission to enroll after confirming their participation on the program, and will earn 1 credit of Inter-Ag 321 for the pre-departure course. The course takes place on Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00 pm.
  • 2.0 cumulative GPA

  • Sophomore, 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

UW Signature

Subjects

Public Health, Agriculture, Nutrition

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Guesthouse

Program Duration

Winter Intersession: Late December - Mid-January

Application Deadline(s)

Winter Intersession 2025-26 7/18/2025 Cost Details
Extended Deadline: 8/15/2025
Additional applications are being considered on a rolling basis until August 15th, or until the program is full.
Winter Intersession 2026-27 7/17/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

The fall pre-departure course focuses on the broader issues that impact health and nutrition in Uganda including politics, economics, education, history, women’s studies, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS. The Program Leaders will also help students prepare for the logistics of the program including flights, visa, and vaccinations. 

The in-country program involves site visits to health care facilities, lectures by local experts and cultural visits. 

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will earn 1 credit of Inter-Ag 321 for the pre-departure course and 2 credits of Nutritional Sciences 421 for the study abroad portion. This program is approved as a field experience for the Global Health Certificate. This study abroad program fulfills the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences International Studies requirement.

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

Program Leader

James Ntambi & John Ferrick