Sergio H. Lence

Major: 
Department of Economics
Program: 
Agricultural Production, Business and Trade in Argentina, Australia, France, Mexico and Spain, and Dean’s Leadership Program in Italy
I deeply believe that it is very important to explore what opportunities are out there, beyond those with which one is familiar. By leading study abroad programs I feel that I am helping students realize that it is worth learning about things they were not aware of.

Sergio H. Lence, Professor, and Marlin Cole Chair of International Agricultural Economics in the Department of Economics has led study abroad programs in Argentina, Australia, France, Italy, Spain, and Mexico since 1999. 

  • Why do you lead programs?
    • I lead programs for two reasons:
      • First, because studying abroad changed my life. I am originally from Argentina. When I first decided to come to study in the U.S., I had never been abroad; I planned to finish my MSc degree and immediately go back to work in Argentina. However, soon after arriving in the U.S., I realized that there were many things I had never seen before and opportunities that had never crossed my mind, so my life plans completely changed. As such, I deeply believe that it is very important to explore what opportunities are out there, beyond those with which one is familiar. By leading study abroad programs I feel that I am helping students realize that it is worth learning about things they were not aware of.
      • Second, I lead programs because I feel I have a much greater impact on students by leading study abroad programs than by teaching regular courses on campus. I see students literally change and become far more mature in just a matter of days, which I truly enjoy.
  • What have you learned by leading programs?
    • I have learned a lot about agriculture and culture in other countries, and I have become more appreciative of their differences and commonalities. I have also learned about how dynamic cultures can be. For example, by periodically visiting Spain and Catalonia over many programs I led there, I witnessed great changes in the way people there feel about the independence of Catalonia from Spain.
  • What has been your favorite program that you have led?
    • My favorite program has always been the one I lead to Argentina because I take students to my farm and show them where I grew up.
  • What do you like to do in your free time?
    • Bike, read, and travel to new places.
  • Why should students study abroad?
    • Because it is an opportunity to become aware of their unknown unknowns, i.e., the things they do not know they don’t know.