Studying abroad is truly one of the best things I’ve ever done!
How did you learn about your study abroad program? My academic advisor, Dr. Ebby Luvaga, is a faculty member on each of these trips and strongly encouraged me to give study abroad a try. After my first program, I caught the travel bug and knew I wanted to do another one.
Why did you choose to participate in the study abroad program? I have always wanted to travel, and I had heard from previous students that if they had any regrets in college, it was not studying abroad. I chose the programs I did because they aligned with my academic goals while also taking me to places I probably would not have chosen to travel to on my own.
Have you traveled internationally before studying abroad? No, my first international travel experience was to the UAE in Fall of 2024.
Do you think your experience benefited you personally, professionally, or academically? All of the above! My study abroad experiences helped me grow personally, professionally, and academically. Personally, they pushed me outside of my comfort zone and encouraged me to try something new that I ended up really enjoying. While abroad, I learned to be more adaptable and patient. Professionally, I learned how important it is to work and communicate with people who have different backgrounds and perspectives. You quickly realize that even if you grow up on a different continent and in a different culture, you often have more in common with one another than you might think. Academically, my study abroad experiences added another dimension to what I learned in the classroom at Iowa State. I gained a better understanding of how different crops are grown around the world and how agriculture, people, and cultures interact.
Most memorable experience? All of it was so memorable, but if I had to choose one experience, it would be visiting Maktoum Al Seiari’s home in the United Arab Emirates. Visiting an Emirati home is not something everyone gets the opportunity to do, and we were truly immersed in their culture. We tried camel for dinner, interacted with Maktoum’s family, and learned more about their family and lives. Maktoum was a student at Iowa State University from the UAE and passed away in an accident a few years ago. His family was so gracious to invite us to their home and share about their culture. It was especially interesting getting to know his mother and grandmother, who were originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and had converted to Islam and embraced life in the UAE.
Did you experience any difficulties? I didn’t experience any major difficulties. There were definitely moments when I had to step outside of my comfort zone and adapt to a different environment, but those experiences ultimately helped me grow.
Have scholarships impacted your decision to study abroad? Yes, absolutely! I am incredibly grateful to the Study Abroad Office for their generous scholarships, which made these experiences financially feasible for me. Without that support, studying abroad would have been much more difficult.
What advice would you give to students interested in one of your programs or study abroad in general? Absolutely say yes! Even if you don’t know anyone going or your friends don’t want to go, sign up anyway. It is an incredible opportunity to explore other countries and cultures, challenge yourself, and create memories that you’ll carry with you long after the program ends.
Studying abroad is truly one of the best things I’ve ever done. It gave me the opportunity to see the world, learn about different cultures, grow outside of my comfort zone, and gain experiences that I never could have had in a classroom.