Rutgers students can take advantage of a new, 3-credit study abroad program this summer in Antalya, Turkey. Empowering Turkish Women Farmers has been added to the growing list of summer International Service Learning programs through the Rutgers Center for Global Education. From May 16 to June 3 this year, students will live in the homes of the women farmers in Boztepe, Turkey, and help with Suzanne’s Project, a program to help women farmers run more profitable farms, as well as develop case studies to be used in future classes. Students will have local excursions near Antalya, Turkey, on the Mediterranean as well as a weekend in Istanbul at the end of the program to visit the major tourist sites, with a Rutgers graduate as a guide.
This study abroad offering program is being coordinated with Akdeniz University, which is located in Antalya, Turkey. An integral part of the course will be observation and participation in Suzanne’s Project, a workshop taught by Robin Brumfield, Rutgers farm management specialist, and Burhan Ozkan, professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Akdeniz University. Students can apply for the “Empowering Turkish Women Farmers” program and Rutgers International Service Learning scholarships until March 26. Scroll to the bottom of the page for scholarship information. Application for additional support through the SEBS Office of International Programs ends on March 1.
Suzanne’s Project trains women farmers in basic business and farm management and technical production topics to help them sustain their farms. Program evaluations show that Suzanne’s Project has increased the knowledge, skills and confidence of Turkish women to manage and grow their farm businesses. Students who participate in this global education opportunity in Turkey will be an integral part of the Suzanne’s Project workshop and will also attend lectures and discussion sessions, both before departure and during their in-country stay.
To learn more, contact Gregory Spear, International Service Learning Coordinator at gspear@gaiacenters.rutgers.edu.
