Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will advertise one of its study abroad programs nationwide next month, encouraging students from any university in the country with an agriculture department to apply.

Deanna Behring, the college's international programs director, said the college wants to make the program, which places students in two universities in Russia and Ukraine to study the regions' agriculture, more competitive by attracting more students from all around the country.

In the past, Penn State has accepted students from select universities, but next month the program will be open to applicants from any university.

The Moscow program currently includes three Penn State students, one student from Montana State, two students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and two students from the University of Florida. There are no students currently enrolled in the Ukraine program because many have postponed their study until next spring due to political turmoil in the country, Behring said.

She added that it is important for students to study in those regions because of their unique approach to agriculture.

"For example, in the former Soviet Union there are so many historic issues with different approaches to agriculture in the communist and new post-communist era," Behring said.

She added that although the college is considering admitting more students to the program, the total number would remain low.

A new Web site and a broadcast center with video clips made by students who have participated in the program are in the works to boost interest for the program.

Behring said the program is unique because American students study with Russian and Ukrainian students in classes taught by American professors, yet have the opportunity to learn Ukrainian or Russian culture and language on the Internet before their visit.

At the University of Florida, Mickie Swisher, associate professor of sustainable agriculture, said that although she encourages students to study abroad, it is particularly difficult for the university's agriculture students to participate because of their specific degree requirements. "We do collaborate with Penn State on the study abroad program at Moscow," she said. "What we try to set up are programs that generate University of Florida credits...and we have to make sure courses that students are going to take are going to apply to our program."

Christa Joy, study abroad programs director at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, said their university already has agriculture students studying abroad in Moscow, and would definitely encourage more students to apply to Penn State's program.

Penn State student Randy Koontz (senior-agriculture and extension education), who studied abroad last year at the Lviv State Agrarian University in Ukraine, said the experience taught him much about the country's unique agriculture.

"The agriculture there is very different," he said. "For example, two average fields here in America would be one huge field in Ukraine, and soil there is the blackest soil in the world... and there are no rocks in the soil."

Koontz added that time spent studying abroad is looked highly upon by the agriculture industry.

"I talked to many employers who are looking for individuals who have had an international experience," he said. "If you've had an international experience, employers will look at you more closely."