Student Stories

Kate Breja

Kate Breja

Never be afraid to try something new or step outside of your comfort zone because you never know who you'll meet and the unforgettable memories you could make!

Major: Global Resource Systems
Experience: University College Dublin, Ireland
Scholarship Award: College of Agriculture and Life Science Dean's Study Abroad Leadership Scholar
Miranda Peters

Miranda Peters

These trips are the experience of a lifetime. The instructors put so much thought and effort into the specifics of the trip and the stops you’ll take. It’s the perfect mix of learning while traveling and enjoying a new place!

Major: Animal Science
Experience: UK Heritage Livestock
Scholarship Award: Wanda Cornelius College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Study Abroad Scholarship Endowment
Diana Mulder in Portugal

Diana Mulder

Developing relationships with people from a different country is a unique experience that comes with studying abroad that you wouldn't normally have when traveling to a country independently.

Major: Microbiology and International Agriculture
Experience: Pork, Port (Wine), and Cork: The Land and Livestock of Portugal & Greece and Italy: Food, Culture, and Agriculture
Scholarship Award: College of Agriculture and Life Science Dean's Study Abroad Leadership Scholar (Greece & Italy program), Jay and Julie Cornelius Jacobi Scholarship for Agricultural Study Abroad (Portugal program)
Kylie McGlade

Kylie McGlade

If you ever get the opportunity to study abroad take it! Studying abroad opens your mind up to ways you did not even realize you could learn! The Costa Rica program made my education back at ISU much more creative when learning about traditional agronomic practices.

Major: Agronomy and Genetics
Experience: Soils, Crops and Natural Resources of Costa Rica and Tropical Agriculture and Culture in Ghana
Scholarship Award: Behrens Scholarship for Study Abroad (Costa Rica program), CALS Study Abroad Scholar (Ghana program)
Adele Hogan

Adele Hogan

The Comparing Food Systems - Iowa vs. California Study USA program opened my eyes to the many opportunities California offers through agriculture and food, whether in the fields or in food processing for consumers. For students with an interest in dairy, agriculture, produce, seafood, or food companies in general, this trip provides so many opportunities and experiences that are involved in agriculture!

Major: Food Science and Human Nutrition
Experience: Comparing Food Systems - Iowa vs California (Study USA)
Logan Schmitt in UAE

Logan Schmitt

I knew that the experiences provided while studying abroad were incomparable to those you get when you just vacation on your own, so I wanted to capitalize on those opportunities provided by Iowa State University and the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences while I had the chance.

Major: Agricultural Communications and International Agriculture, Animal Science Minor
Experience: Culture and Economic Diversification in the United Arab Emirates
Scholarship Award: Shelley Taylor Study Abroad Student Support Fund
Jayme Augusma in Costa Rica

Jayme Augusma

Studying abroad helped me learn that there is so much out there and there is always something new you can learn, experience, and see. The world is a big place with a multitude of cultures, places, and people.

Major: Animal Ecology
Experience: Semester at Veritas in San Juan, Costa Rica
Grace Reiss in Greece

Grace Reiss

Any student interested in studying abroad should jump on the opportunities offered by the college! The values and new perspectives you gain through experiencing different cultures cannot be obtained in the classroom or on campus.

Major: Nutritional Science and Global Resource Systems
Experience: Sustainable Global Resource Systems in Uganda and The Netherlands and American Farm School - Perrotis College, Thessaloniki, Greece
Scholarship Award: College of Agriculture and Life Science Dean's Study Abroad Leadership Scholar
Rachel Currant in Honduras

Rachel Currant

This experience helped me grow in all realms through a wider academic scope of biology, experience with research, knowing more like-minded students on campus, meeting amazing and smart individuals in Roatan, and gaining experience at traveling. Although I was nervous before, this experience pushed me out of my comfort zone, helping me grow into a more experienced student and overall person.

Major: Genetics
Experience: Caribbean Marine Biology, Honduras
Scholarship Award: Behrens Scholarship for Study Abroad

Peter Bergman

The biggest culture shock for me was the language barrier. I learned more French during my 4-month program than I could have in years of language study. There is no better way to learn a new language than being immersed in a culture where the language is spoken, and you’re forced to interact and communicate daily with others speaking the language.

Major: Environmental Science
Experience: UniLaSalle, Beauvais, France
Adam Knoblock UAE sand dunes

Adam Knoblock

Studying abroad was the best decision of my college career. You don’t get these opportunities or accessibility to these types of opportunities for the price you pay and the experience you gain!

Major: Agricultural Business
Experience: Culture and Economic Diversification in the United Arab Emirates and Soils, Agriculture & the Environment of Uruguay
Scholarship Award: College of Agriculture and Life Science Dean's Study Abroad Leadership Scholar
Gabby Hackley Uruguay

Gabby Hackley

As a transfer student, I didn’t think I would have the flexibility to study abroad, but I found out that was not the case and have now participated in two study abroad programs and two Study USA domestic travel courses.

Major: Agronomy and International Agriculture
Experience: Soils, Agriculture & the Environment of Uruguay, Business Development Study Trip in Brazil Argentina, Agriculture & History of the Mississippi Delta, Field to Fork on the Prairie and Soils, Crops and Natural Resources of Costa Rica
Scholarship Award: College of Agriculture and Life Science Dean's Study Abroad Leadership Scholars (Uruguay program), Jay and Julie Cornelius Jacobi Scholarship for Agricultural Study Abroad (Costa Rica program, Brazil & Argentina program)
Maggie Stutzman

Maggie Stutzman

One of the biggest things I got from this experience was a better appreciation for all different cultures. I was able to leave with a more open mind for the world and I am very grateful for my time spent in Europe.

Major: Animal Science
Experience: Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (Exchange Program)
Garhett Allen

Garhett Allen

Studying abroad was hands down one of the best decisions I’ve made. The knowledge and experiences I gained are unmatched. Not only did I get to live in Greece for three months, but I also got to travel to different countries in Europe. Now I am planning my next trip(s) abroad!

Major: Agricultural Business
Experience: American Farm School, Perrotis College in Thessaloniki, Greece
Courtney Uhlenhake

Courtney Uhlenhake

Studying abroad has provided me with a transformative experience to becoming a well-rounded, culturally educated individual. The independence derived from my time abroad encourages new friendships, cultural appreciation, and just an all-around amazing time!

Major: Agricultural Business and International Agriculture
Experience: Exchange to University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Scholarship Award: Shelley Taylor Study Abroad Student Support Fund
Blake Van Der Kamp

Blake Van Der Kamp

This study abroad opportunity opened my eyes to the food insecurity problems people are facing around the world. Dr. Burras made the experiences practical and more digestible than anything I could have learned in a classroom setting.

Major: Agriculture and Life Sciences Education, International Agriculture, Agronomy, Public Relations and Leadership Studies
Experience: Soils, Crops and Water of Costa Rica
Scholarship Award: Shelley Taylor Study Abroad Student Support Fund
Amber Friedrichsen

Amber Friedrichsen

I’m glad Costa Rica was my first study abroad trip at Iowa State because it helped me get more excited about studying agronomy when I returned to campus. With that said, I think after having one trip under my belt I am excited to explore different programs and branch out a little more when considering my next study abroad experience.

Major: Agricultural and Life Sciences Education & Agronomy
Experience: Soils, Crops and Water of Costa Rica
Scholarship Award: Wanda Cornelius College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Study Abroad Scholarship Endowment

Nathan Behrends

Studying abroad is a great way to compare and contrast different perspectives while gaining a greater appreciation for the world.

Major: Agricultural Studies
Experience: Soils, Crops, and Water of Costa Rica
Scholarship Award: Dwight and Marilyn Conover Study Abroad Scholarship

Andrea Schlieckau

I absolutely would recommend studying abroad to any fellow student, regardless of major or college they are a part of. The opportunity to travel like you can during a study abroad trip is really a once-in-a-lifetime thing and it is something I think everyone should experience at least once.

Major: Agricultural Business
Experience: American Farm School, Perrotis College in Thessaloniki, Greece
Jack Hubble

Jack Hubble

You get out of studying abroad what you put into it, if you are passionate about traveling and want to experience new cultures or hear new perspectives, then you are at the right place!

Major: Agricultural Business, Economics and International Agricultural
Experience: Culture and Economic Diversification in the United Arab Emirates & American Farm School - Perrotis College, Greece

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