In this changing world, sustainability as it relates to agriculture and food has become a major topic of interest. In 2016, Karlee Pruitt, a graduate of Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology, participated in the Food, Agriculture and Sustainability program in Greece. The program was a faculty-led tour that highlighted food, agriculture and sustainability in Greece.
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People do not always think about the impact a new culture can have on them. In 30 days, your life can change forever. Kelsey Johnson, a Pre-Professional Animal Science major, is an example of what 30 days in a different country can do for your life. In the summer of 2016, Johnson decided to join the Community Development Program in Mozambique. Johnson became inspired by the Mozambique program after attending a study abroad fair in the Union. She then had a meeting with one of the leads for the program, Dr. Lanier Nalley. Johnson stated, “By the time I walked out, I was convinced and set on going to Mozambique!” Her project was to perform an experiment in Nampula, Mozambique on a poultry farm called New Horizons. “I invested an immense amount of time and effort to ensure that my project was successful and benefitted the New Horizons business as well as the lives of the Mozambican people,” said Johnson. Chick mortality rate is the issue she was facing in her experiment and is one that has plagued the poultry industry in Mozambique. “My experiment involved aiding in the problem of chick dehydration during transport,” said Johnson. “My plan was to help cut down the mortality rate of the chicks in the first seven days. I created a concentrated gelatin product that I used to help hydrate the chicks on their way to the out grower farms.” She prepared for this experiment before she ever arrived in Mozambique. Her hard work and dedication led to a successful project. “Before I arrived in Mozambique, I ran a trial run of my experiment to discover what the best concentration of gelatin would be to use on the farm,” said Johnson. While in country she ran into a few problems with the gelatin she created, but with a little perseverance and patience, she was able to overcome the obstacles. Some of the obstacles she faced was the concentration she created melted too quickly in the heat, and the way she was going to administer the gelatin proved to be too difficult. “I had to recreate a more concentrated gelatin product and reconstruct the way I fed the gelatin to the chicks. Having to overcome these obstacles taught me problem skills that I could never have learned in a classroom.” She used this experience to reflect on an aspect of her life that allowed her to grow and change in a positive way. “As a student I have always worked hard to ensure I made excellent grades, but many times I think I was just yearning for an A rather than actually paying attention to what I was learning,” said Johnson. “After seeing the kind people of Mozambique, who would love to get the chance to go to college, I now have a greater appreciation for my education and way of life. Now I plan on working even harder to understand and apply what I learn in the classroom to my life. I also have a much more positive outlook and will complain less because the people of Mozambique are always smiling and so should I!” This experience shined a light on a new future for Johnson and gave her affirmation that she is on the right path. “My international experience solidified my thoughts about continuing to veterinary school after my first four years of college,” said Johnson. “I want to work hard and learn as much as I can so that I can go back to Africa one day and help the people there with the advanced skills I will learn. I’ve also decided that I might minor in poultry science so that I can go back to New Horizons and continue to help them in the future.” The work she completed in Mozambique inspired Johnson to change; she advocates for this change when speaking to other students about committing to an international experience. “There is no better way to gain academic skills than abroad because they can be actively applied in a real-life setting,” said Johnson. “It is truly a unique experience that allows students to grow personally as well because the environment is so drastically different compared to the United States.” Freshman year of college is a time for a lot of firsts in the lives of many 18- and 19-year-olds as they venture to the University of Arkansas from their respective homes. It is a grand adventure they have chosen to pursue and a grand adventure is what they will get—late nights full of studying, new friends from across the state or even from another country and new experiences every day. With new opportunities knocking on the doors of all college students, answering that figurative door can be intimidating for those new to the scene - especially when an opportunity asks you to jump to a new country and culture across the ocean from home. For sophomore Kylee Sigmon, the choice to answer the door and pursue the chance to study abroad was a no-brainer. Originally from Berryville, Ark., Sigmon is a double major in agricultural business and agricultural communications. During her freshman year, Sigmon became interested in the international programs offered by the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences International Programs Office (IPO), thanks to guest speakers in her orientation classes. When she applied for the Food, Agriculture and Sustainability in Greece program, Sigmon admits to feeling a bit nervous. “I think any student will be a little nervous their first time studying abroad,” said Sigmon. “I knew I would be in great, capable hands once in the country, so that settled the majority of nerves I had leading up to the trip.” With her head held high, Sigmon pushed forward and put her energy into finding funding. “One of the biggest things I learned through my experience is that the funding is there,” said Sigmon. “There are many other ways to fund study abroad trips. The student just has to be self-starting and motivated enough to execute what works best for them.” Once abroad, Sigmon was able to capitalize on the opportunity to learn more about sustainability in agriculture as well as history. Not only was she able to see first-hand how agriculture was practiced in Greece, but she was also able to see ancient ruins as well as significant religious and cultural sites. The time abroad gave Sigmon perspective for when she came home to the United States. “I returned home with a strong appreciation of being an American,” said Sigmon. “I had never taken a moment to realize how developed our agricultural practices are.” Returning to campus after studying abroad provided new opportunities for Sigmon to step up as a sophomore and serve others within her college. “I have been able to serve as an IPO mentor this year and encourage others to take part in an international experience,” said Sigmon. “If my story and experience can convince just one person to apply for a program, I would feel satisfied.” For more information about international experiences offered through the Bumpers College International Programs Office, visit http://bumpersinternational.uark.edu. About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. With the flurry of undergraduate students promoting their time studying abroad, sometimes we forget that international programs are equally open to graduate students. Lisa Gaddy, a graduate student in the M.S. in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development program, participated in the China study abroad tour this summer. Gaddy shared how her experience abroad helped her apply what she learned in class to the real world as well as develop her professional network.
To step outside of your comfort zone is to push yourself. If you’re an introvert, that may come to fruition by engaging with groups larger than you normally choose. On the other hand, extroverts may be challenged to spend some time alone, investing in themselves. But why? Why challenge yourself? Why step outside of your comfort zone? For students who have completed study abroad trips in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, the answer is simple: to grow. The Bumpers College International Programs Office (IPO) assesses students’ international experiences each year. In these reviews, students share some of the important reasons why they chose to study abroad and how their experiences changed them. The IPO is working to share those experiences. As students of the food and fiber industry, we commonly discuss what it takes to grow the food we eat and the fibers we use to clothe ourselves in today’s latest fashions. But what we may be missing out on is one facet of this industry that needs cultivation – our students. Study abroad programs offer exactly what today’s students need before they enter the workforce: cultural cultivation. The experience, the demand for independence, the full immersion into a different culture and society offers students a perspective they simply cannot get in class. Growing Self Comparison can sometimes be thought as the “thief of joy.” Without comparison, however, we lose the ability to discern for ourselves the differences between our lives and the lives of others – our “normal” and their “normal.” It is that very comparison that gives students on international experiences the ability to identify how American culture is different and the effects that has on their personal realities. Take for example Emily Keeling. Keeling is a human nutrition and hospitality innovation major with a concentration in dietetics. Her experience abroad at the La Salle University in Beauvais, France, helped her adapt to unfamiliar circumstances by learning to ask for help from her peers in the program. By understanding her limitations and making the effort to overcome them, Keeling was able to experience a truth she had always believed in. “No matter where a person lives, what they eat, or what language they speak, we are all the same people,” said Keeling. Growing Academics Witnessing new perspectives helps develop students who travel abroad both personally and academically. Students who study abroad are able to broaden their horizons when it comes to the power of the education they receive here in the United States. Laura Ortega, a crop science major, participated in a program at the University of Ghent in Belgium that took her understanding of sustainability in agriculture to the next level. “As a future scientist of the agriculture industry, I believe the topic of sustainability is a key concept to research,” said Ortega. “The European insights gained from the lectures of scientists have enabled me to think more outside the box when dealing with global issues.” Growing Career International experiences not only enrich and enhance the personal and academic opinions of students, but also their outlook on professionalism and career prospects. Students often find immersion into another culture provides them with the purpose they desire to have in a career. Whether that purpose is to find a solution to a problem, to help others or discover new options for people today, international experience can push them in the right direction. Zachary Tipton, an environmental, soil, and water science major, began to find inspiration for his future career path through the European Agriculture – Food Chain Sustainability program in Ghent, Belgium. “Every lecture brought new questions that I want to explore,” said Tipton. “I’ve never been so stimulated to go out and solve issues before. The Ghent experience really helped me decide how I want to proceed in my life.” Whether you chose to go for a week, two weeks, a month or even a whole semester, the impact an international experience has on you is immeasurable. Immersion into another culture and society leads students to open their eyes to worlds and realities not their own; an experience that brings sudden clarity to their career plans, the reason behind their academic endeavors and, perhaps the most impactful, the ability to push past their comfort zone. For more information about international experiences offered through the Bumpers College, visit http://bumpersinternational.uark.edu. About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. By: Hanan Southard
Laura Ortega, a crop science major, participated in the Sustainability in the Euro Food System program in Gent, Belgium. Read along to find out her post-program thoughts! Can you give us a brief description of your program? This program combined lectures and excursions co-led by staff of the University of Gent involving the regulations and technological methods of the agriculture industry of the EU region that promote sustainability. Topics included: biofuels, aquaculture, bio-resources, plant production, etc. How did your international experience contribute to your academic development? I have more knowledge regarding my field of study. As a future scientist of the agriculture industry, I believe the topic of sustainability is a key concept to research in order to move our society in a positive direction and help protect our precious planet. The European insights gained from the lectures of the scientists have enabled me to think more outside the box when dealing with global issues. I am excited to incorporate this new knowledge in my future classes. How did your experience contribute to your personal growth? I have become more independent and open minded. I was a very shy person and this experience has made me become a more outgoing. I have discovered that I love traveling to unknown places and meeting new people who can share with me their different perspectives of life. I feel like a butterfly who just gained her wings and is ready to take on the world. Did the program influence your career path/goals? I am certain that I have chosen the correct major. Every time I heard a lecture over plant science, I was so proud of having chosen such a fascinating field of study. It was such a great experience to study something I am passionate about in a foreign country. The program made an impact on me that sustainability is now a crucial concept that will incorporate into my career and future research because I learned first-hand how much of a positive impact it can have. I hope more students majoring in agricultural disciplines will go on this program. There are so many topics covering plant and animal production that would be beneficial to so many AFLS students! I studied as an exchange student at the University of Newcastle in Newcastle, Australia for five months. I took classes, just like a normal semester, but I was
I would tell interested students to take the leap, and go for the adventure. It is definitely worth stepping out of comfort zones to pursue an interesting lifestyle for a while. For many people, studying abroad shapes them into more open minded, transparent, and authentic people and they want to conquer more challenges from that point forward.
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