The CALS Global Fellows Program supports CALS undergraduate students from any major in pursuit of challenging, professionally-focused summer internships and research placements that enhance and complement their career goals and academic progress, while enriching their undergraduate experience with diverse cultural and international immersion. Through key partnerships, the Global Fellows Program provides a platform for students to make positive and definable contributions to global organizations and communities.

Acceptance to the program is competitive and a limited number of students are selected each year. 

Students who are accepted into the CALS Global Fellows Program will be required to complete 4 parts of the program:

• An in-person 7-week, Spring (session 2) pre-engagement 1 credit course ALS 2300, focusing on health and safety, cultural awareness, logistics and more.
• a continuous 7–8-week internship or research placement in an international setting
• and a 7-week, 1 credit post-engagement course in the first half of the Fall semester (ALS/GDEV 3105)
• Poster Symposium in Fall

The Opportunity

CALS has partnered with Agropecuaria Claridae SRL, a large 40,000 head cattle ranching and agricultural company to offer select placements in Cattle Farming, Feed Nutrition and Agriculture.

Specific Details of each project will be agreed upon with the student and PI once accepted to the program.  

Students will be fully integrated into the daily operations of a working beef cattle ranch and feedlot. Under the guidance of local ranchers, farmhands, and COO and CEO, interns will gain hands-on experience across a wide range of activities and assessments. Responsibilities may include feed analysis, nutrition management, and animal welfare monitoring, providing valuable insight into a unique side of the beef cattle industry.

This program is particularly well-suited for students with backgrounds in farming, dairy, or agriculture, as well as those interested in sustainable agricultural practices. Specific projects will be tailored to each student’s skills and interests in collaboration with the host organization following acceptance into the program.

Current assets managed by Claridae are:

• Estancia Queenie, 31,000 ha cattle ranch and grain agriculture in Fuerte Olimpo, Paraguay
• Estancia Santa Isabel, 8,000 ha cattle ranch in Madrejon, Paraguay
• Estancia La Soñada, 10,000 head fully automated feedlot in San Roque Gonzalez de Santa Cruz, Paraguay

On the agricultural side, internship period misses the crop season (November through May), so the internship will be focused on assisting the COO in specific projects, which may include business planning/financial evaluation, as well as field and operational activities related to the expansion projects (drainage and irrigation system).

Placement Opportunities:

• Placements: 1-2 (in-person)
• Location:  Paraguay

Suggested Majors: Global Development, E&S, Agriculture Sciences, Animal Sciences, others who have the appropriate background are welcome to apply.  Some knowledge of financial modeling is desired. 

Accommodation: will be provided at the ranches.

Costs: airfare, internal transportation, meals, and accommodation will be covered. Personal travel and personal expenses are at the intern’s expense. 

Requirements: Yellow-fever and dengue vaccination is desirable, Brazilian visitor visa if visiting or transiting through Brazil, depending on intern’s nationality (see application details). Paraguay does not require a visa for US citizens.

Language: knowledge of Spanish is desirable. CEO and COO speak fluent English. Most field staff, however, do not speak English.

Horse Back Riding: Some skills are desirable for the full ranching experience