Alumni Spotlights: Liam Vincent and Lexi Ammann

November 17, 2020 8:00 PM

To celebrate International Education Week, we reached out to some recent CALS alumni, Liam Vincent (Ag Bus & Agron ‘12)  and Lexi Delaney Ammann (AnSci & AgEds ‘18), to share their study abroad experiences and how it has impacted their careers so far. Check out their answers and advice below!
 

How did you hear about study abroad?

Liam: Several of my peers within the FarmHouse fraternity studied abroad, and spoke fondly of their experiences and how much they learned. Also, my mom studied abroad in college and she often told me about her travels.

Lexi: I first learned about the CALS Study Abroad programs through my advisor and other peers that had previously participated in a study abroad program. Once I was familiar with the CALS study abroad office, I watched their website and social media for new program opportunities.
 

How did studying abroad affect your college experience?

Liam: I studied abroad in Rome with the Dean's Global Food and Agriculture Leadership Program in the summer of 2011Liam Vincent and a classmate in front of the Coliseum and it was a capstone experience in my college career.  I had the opportunity to work with some talented peers from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which gave me a new cultural outlook and a new network of professionals.  

Lexi: Some of my best memories in college were through my study abroad experiences. I was able to build relationships that will last a lifetime with professors, students, international hosts and industry professionals in multiple countries. I learned a lot of valuable lessons from traveling to different countries including that your country’s way of doing something isn’t always the only way. I experienced new foods, different modes of transportation, and new ways of living. I learned to live outside my comfort zone. One of my biggest takeaways from studying abroad was gaining an appreciation for other cultures while being proud and thankful of my home.

 

Why did you study abroad? Was it worth it?

Liam: Prior to studying abroad I had never travelled internationally. Participating in a study abroad experience was definitely worth it! I Lexi in front of a Japanese templealso met my wife through this program, so I’d say it was worth it!

Lexi: Studying abroad gives students a chance to learn outside the classroom. I knew I wanted to participate in study abroad programs during college to gain a cultural experience outside of the U.S. and have exposure to agriculture practices in other countries. Studying abroad helped me gain a global perspective that was different from reading an article or watching the news. International trade is a largely talked about issue and through my study abroad experiences, I learned how important imports and exports are to the U.S. economy. Studying abroad in college is worth the time and money because it gives you more than the average tourist experience.

 

Why did you choose the program that you did?

Liam: The Dean's Global Food and Agriculture Leadership program offered many advantages and unique experiences. First, the program included the chance to work on a project for the FAO, a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) which leads international efforts to defeat hunger and provide food security. Secondly, the month-long program allowed the group more time to meld together, make an impact with our project, and enjoy living in a new city. Also, the internship in Rome was preceded by a semester-long class where we developed a group project, worked with a project sponsor, learned Italian, and got to know each other better, overall making the internship more meaningful.  Lexi teaching in a classroom in the US Virgin Islands

Lexi: I was fortunate enough to participate in the Agricultural Education program in the U.S. Virgin Islands through the Horticulture Department, Swine Production in China and Japan through the Animal Science Department, Ecuador program through the Horticulture Department, and Heritage Breeds in Scotland and England through the Animal Science Department. When selecting which programs to apply for and participate in, I looked to gain exposure and knowledge in multiple areas of agriculture.

 

How did study abroad affect your career goals or aspirations while in college?

Liam: If anything the experience taught me that I was capable of living and working overseas. The confidence that I gained showed when I applied for entry level positions, which included the possibility of working/living for short periods of time on international assignments. 

Lexi: By participating in agricultural study abroad programs focused on my specific area of interest within the industry, my eyes were opened to all of the different opportunities and jobs available. I loved my experiences and the people I met abroad. I realized I wanted to work in international relations and my first job after college was the Export Coordinator at Swine Genetics International. I was able to work with customers and professionals that I met during the Swine Production in China and Japan trip.

 

How has studying abroad helped you in your professional career experiences?

Liam: The opportunity to work with other students in CALS from different educational disciplines and personalities was aean's Global Food and Agriculture Leadership Program Student helpful precursor to life and work after college. It prepared me to be a competent individual contributor, as well as a team player. Many project teams I am now a part of resemble our project team from the study abroad program. I learned to work with people who specialize in communications, technical aspects, marketing, business, etc. which prepared me for my current career.  Also, the prestige of being able to say I worked as an intern on a project for the UN FAO while living in Rome definitely caught the interest of more than one interviewer!

Lexi: I am always asked about my study abroad experiences during job interviews and roundtables. Iowa State University, especially CALS, does a fantastic job at pushing students to get internships and get involved in clubs on campus. I had three internships and held an officer position in a club, which isn’t uncommon for companies to see. So going on a study abroad set me apart from my peers and proved that I gained different types of experience outside of internships and
organizations on campus.

 

Thank you Liam and Lexi for sharing your experiences with us! Keep an eye out for more alumni spotlights in the future!