Cooper McDermott

Cooper poses with friends in front of a beautiful lake vista.
Major: 
Agricultural Business
Program: 
Edinburgh and London
Studying abroad changes your mindset, opening your eyes and mind to new opportunities that you didn’t know were even possible.

Cooper and about thirty of his cohorts in London.Cooper McDermott, a senior in agricultural business from Creston, Iowa traveled for the first time internationally when he participated in the Brexit Spring Break 2018, travel course through the CALS Study Abroad Office. Prior to arriving at Iowa State, Cooper had no intention of studying abroad, but after talking with his academic advisor and peers, he was influenced to give it a try. The most rewarding part for Cooper was, “Touring the farms in Scotland and England. It was neat to see how they operate compared to those in the United States, given the different resources, and to see how our beef genetics in the United States have an effect on operations in a different country and across the world.” Cooper really valued the growth opportunity that he gained from studying abroad and being immersed in another country. Cooper said, “Studying abroad changes your mindset, opening your eyes and mind to new opportunities that you didn’t know were even possible.” While at Iowa State, Cooper is active in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Ambassador Program and just finished up serving as the High School Visits Committee Chair. Previous to being a committee chair, he was a Leadership Team Representative. Cooper was also an Ambassador for the Student Alumni Leadership Council and was just selected to be part of the Senior Class Council for that this coming school year.