The GO START NOW (GSN) project addresses career preparation and training in research skills for undergraduate students (UG) through experiential-based learning and partnerships with USDA. Students and faculty from three Hispanic Serving Institutions collaborated to increase diversity within the agricultural and federal government workforce. The GSN project is grant funded and brings together UG (n=30) from diverse agriculture majors to collaborate in research activities in many unique outdoor laboratory environments of Costa Rica. The objective is to capture students through engaged, hands-on learning workshops, and training in the basics of research. This four-year project consists of two cohorts of UG. Recruitment and selection of UG and Costa Rica experience occurs in Year 1. In Year 2, UG students participate in an 8-week, paid internship with an USDA agency or research faculty mentor. Activities of GSN improve agricultural-science education by exposing students to novel experiences beyond the traditional classroom. These include an agricultural-sciences-based international workshop and cultural experience and direct student interaction with USDA employees or research faculty mentors. Activities foster agriculture research interests, professionalism, leadership, and experiential learning. The development of the international workshop provided for the establishment of strong partnerships between diverse universities and faculty which created a model for experiential academic programs in agricultural sciences. Collaborating institutions and faculty created new environments for experiential learning within soil, plant, environmental, and food-animal sciences. The international workshop greatly expanded cultural awareness of all UG. Internship experiences with either an USDA Agency or research faculty at collaborating institutions strengthened academic success and increased UG interest in pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree. Success of this program relied upon assessing student’s need, dynamic program goals, an underserved target audience, potential USDA partners, international travel experience, problem solving skills, and communication/organizational procedures.