Whether it is just one trip, or it is five; whatever you want to do, find a program that fits your focus, and make use of that opportunity.
What are you currently working on (career field, undergraduate research project, etc.) and how has study abroad impacted this opportunity?
I am currently participating in an undergraduate research project under Maria Wurzinger, in the animal science department. The focus of the project is on issues in the fiber production industry in Iowa. Study abroad helped me build the connection to get involved in the project. Dr. Wurzinger was a leader for the Dean's Global Food and Agriculture Leadership Program. During the trip, I had the opportunity to build a strong connection with Dr. Wurzinger, which allowed me the opportunity to participate in this research project.
My trip with Vets Without Borders was a great opportunity to build my cultural knowledge and veterinary experience, which is impactful as a student on the pre-vet track. The cultural knowledge is important on a personal level, because experiencing other cultures allows us to open our lens on the United States, and apply what we have learned to make every day better. The veterinary experience is important because the hours are necessary for vet school, but more importantly the cultural experiences that I gained working in the veterinary industry allowed me to have a greater global perspective on the industry, bettering my work every day.
I believe that both of these experiences have given me the necessary skills to be a strong participant in the AnCy guides program. The Dean's Global Food and Agriculture Leadership program gave me the opportunity to work in a high-functioning team through working on a project for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. This allowed me to be a more confident, conscientious, and decisive professional, all of which are important when working on prospective student experiences. The trip with Vets Without Borders strengthened my creative thinking capacities, as we did not have access to the same developed medicine as in the US. It taught me to think creatively in all situations, which is important when developing new prospective students' experiences.
What specific skills/knowledge did you take away from study abroad that are still of use today?
I think that the strongest skills that I have taken away from my study abroad experiences would be the ability to work in a high-functioning team and view my work with an international perspective. Both of my trips have allowed me to work in high-functioning teams, simply in different respects. The Dean's Global Food and Agriculture Leadership program was focused on a project for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, which pushed me to focus on high-quality work and communication with a global organization, helping me build different skills, such as professional communication, time-management, and quantitative research skills.
The Vets Without Borders trip taught me similar skills, but in a different capacity. We were a high-functioning team in the aspect of how many animals we did in a day on the little amount of supplies that we had. This trip taught me creative thinking and flexibility, both of which are very important when working in the fast-paced surgical environment. My trips have allowed me to view my work through an international lens, and this is reflected in the new ways of thinking that I bring to the table.
What advice do you have for students interested in studying abroad?
Take the opportunity! Whether it is just one trip, or it is five; whatever you want to do, find a program that fits your focus, and make use of that opportunity. If you are concerned about finances, there is an amazing team in the CALS Study Abroad office that can work through finance options with you and clue you in to scholarships that may help study abroad possible.