Irene Nielsen
How did you learn about your study abroad program?
During my sophomore year, I began exploring study abroad programs after hearing about the fantastic experiences some of my friends had with CALS Study Abroad. The Animal and Dairy Science in The Netherlands program quickly stood out, highlighting an industry I am very interested in. After researching the program more, I was impressed with the diverse range of visits that this program offered, visiting different farms, historical landmarks, and traveling across the country.
Why did you choose to participate in the study abroad program?
The main focus of this program being dairy was a huge reason I decided to start with this program! Before coming to school, I was never interested in studying abroad, but the travel courses were the perfect length to travel to another country, while still maintaining the same level of involvement here at school.
Had you traveled internationally before studying abroad?
I had not traveled internationally before this program, and thought this program would be a great one for anyone to start out with due to the nature of travel, the detailed schedule, Dr. Dekkers’ experience, and the overall organization of the trip.
Do you think your experience benefited you personally, professionally, or academically?
My experience studying abroad allowed me to have a better understanding of global agriculture, as well as the differences across the world. Even now, I am still connecting with individuals over shared experiences, like meeting someone in The Netherlands who attends World Dairy Expo every year. My trip to Ghana was an unforgettable experience and gave me a better understanding of tropical agriculture and the importance of subsistence farming. My most recent trip to Rome provided a very unique experience to develop professionally, working alongside the FAO on global food security projects.
Most memorable experience?
On the trip to The Netherlands, we visited a mealworm farm, which was far outside the scope of anything I had seen. Having an interest in commercial livestock production, it was incredibly interesting to see how insect proteins are produced and the different products they are used in. We were given a tour by the CEO of the company and his experience, even navigating animal welfare regulations, was really eye-opening!
Have scholarships impacted your decision to study abroad?
Absolutely! I would most likely never studied abroad if it wasn’t for the scholarships granted by CALS Study Abroad. Especially for the longer program I participated in, it greatly reduced the cost that I had to pay.
What advice would you give to students interested in one of your programs or study abroad in general?
Take the opportunity! It absolutely pays off in the long run and is a great conversation starter for interviews or speaking with industry professionals. It also helps you remain more aware of the way policy affects people across the globe and learn more about agricultural imports and exports. While it does increase costs, I think that the experience far outweighed those. With that being said, prepping financially for the trips is important.
