GO FOR IT! College is one of the best times to study abroad, and even if you can't commit to a whole semester, the study abroad trips give you access to some amazing experiences!
Why did you choose to participate in the study abroad program? Going into college, I had never traveled outside of the country before. I knew I wanted to take advantage of as many of the CALS Study Abroad trips as I could, especially since I could also receive scholarships to help pay for my trips! Plus, I really liked that the trips included a pre-travel class to prepare me for the experience, along with an itinerary for when we were abroad. It helped ease a lot of my nerves about traveling internationally! 
Do you think your experience benefited you personally, professionally, or academically? All of the trips I participated in greatly accelerated my personal, professional, and academic growth! Getting to see agricultural systems in different countries challenged me to think outside the box as I approach new problems. Additionally, my trips to Uganda and Ghana included a large portion focused on agronomy, which are topics I haven't learned about within my major. I love how the study abroad trips combine the pre-travel course with the actual travel, allowing you to bridge academic learning with in-country experiences. Overall, traveling anywhere with a group also teaches you how to be more adaptable, take risks, and become a better problem-solver!
Have scholarships impacted your decision to study abroad? Absolutely! I have been fortunate enough to receive several scholarships that have helped to fund my travels. This made it much easier for me to have some incredible experiences without having to worry as much about my finances.
Most memorable experience? Honestly, it is so hard to pick just one experience! My trip to Uganda was incredibly impactful because we had the chance to work with and learn from rural agricultural communities in a developing country. Without the CALS Study Abroad Program, I would have never had the opportunity to travel to Africa! One of the days on the trip, I got to spend the morning with a student, helping her with her morning chores and attending her classes at school. It was pretty eye-opening to walk with her to class and see firsthand what her experience was like. It definitely made me think more deeply about everything we have been blessed with in the United States and gave me a greater appreciation for the opportunities and resources we often take for granted. 
What advice would you give to students interested in one of your programs or study abroad in general? GO FOR IT! College is one of the best times to study abroad, and even if you can't commit to a whole semester, the study abroad trips give you access to some amazing experiences! I would suggest picking a trip that you wouldn't normally do or going somewhere that might be more difficult to travel to on your own. Having a pre-planned itinerary takes a lot of the stress out of traveling, plus you have a whole group of professors and students to travel with! It makes stepping outside of your comfort zone a little less intimidating and gives you the opportunity to experience something you may never have done otherwise.