eCarly@CALS
Outside the Classroom and Textbook Experience
by Carly Martin
Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Study Abroad office organized 11 study abroad programs this summer.
Trisha Collins, who will be a sophomore majoring in animal science/pre-vet this fall, was one of 131 students who took advantage of the study-abroad opportunities this summer.
After her senior year of high school in Pleasantville, Iowa, Trisha had spent a summer in Ethiopia doing research through the World Food Prize Foundation.
Following this, she knew she wanted to do international work with livestock.
Trisha's family raised Angus cattle with a cow/calf operation. Her agriculture background led her to Iowa State University.
"I learned about the study abroad program when I attended the college's freshman/transfer student BBQ," says Collins, "Associate Dean David Acker introduced me to the staff and I was immediately interested in seeing what programs they had available."
Study-abroad leader Jodi Cornell, and animal science professors Doug Kenealy and horticulture professor Richard Gladon led Trisha and a group of 19 other students to Ukraine and Bulgaria for a three-week study abroad experience.
"The group of students was one of the youngest in average age that I have ever traveled with," says Kenealy, "but also one of the best."
Trisha said she and the other students were able to look at the two countries and their differences between two aspects: economies and agriculture. Although Ukraine and Bulgaria are both "post-Soviet" countries, they have many differences. Ukraine was clearly a country that has taken little steps toward becoming independent. Students were able to compare this to Bulgaria, which has been making a great deal of progress towards embracing capitalism and the free market.
Trisha told me that their group visited a vet clinic in Bulgaria. I found it interesting to learn that they were trying to make their veterinary clinic more like Iowa State's. It's neat to know that Iowa State University is highly respected across the world.
Processing, production and marketing were three areas that the trip focused on, with another emphasis on animal science. The group visited greenhouses, museums, dairy farms, potato farms and markets.
One of Trisha's highlights was visiting the ancient ruins and seeing the Black Sea.
"It was awesome to be immersed into a whole new culture," says Collins.
Collins said she made a lot of close friends and connections on the trip. She feels that networking is one of the best things that she can take away from her experience. Trisha explained that going somewhere completely different from the United States makes a big impact.
"I strongly encourage students to study abroad. It such an amazing experience. You can't duplicate it in a textbook or a classroom," says Collins.
SLIDESHOW HERE [OUTSIDECLASS.MP4]