9/19/00

Contacts:
David Acker, International Agriculture Programs, (515) 294-8454
Shelley Taylor, Agriculture Study Abroad, (515) 294-8447
Melea Reicks Licht, Communications Service, (515) 294-2957

ISU AG STUDENTS BROADEN HORIZONS THROUGH STUDY ABROAD

AMES, Iowa -- The number of participants in College of Agriculture Study Abroad Programs at Iowa State University has increased by more than five times over the last four years.

The College of Agriculture is now second in the nation for the number of students studying abroad. Michigan State is ranked number one. The College of Agriculture's goals are to have 40 percent of the class of 2005 graduate with international experience and to become the number one college of agriculture in the nation for students involved in international work and study.

The number of ag study-abroad programs has increased, too. In 1996, 42 students participated in six programs. Last year 220 students were involved in 18 programs. Thirty-one study- and work-abroad programs are planned for this year.

David Acker, director of International Agriculture Programs, said this success is a result of the College's commitment to the program and enthusiastic leadership from faculty and staff. Acker stressed the importance of studying abroad to students' personal and professional development.

"Industry is telling us it wants employees with international experience. One reason is that agriculture is a global business. Studying abroad almost ensures increased openness to diversity: diversity of people, of thought and of approaches. International experience also forces people to be more flexible," Acker said.

A new workshop this fall focused on teaching students how to apply their international experiences to their future careers. Students practiced communicating their international experiences and lessons they learned in a mock interview setting and learned how to feature an international experience on their resume.

Study-abroad programs range from $1,000 to $5,000 in cost, from 10 days to one year in length, from zero to 12 credits and they span a wide range of study emphases.

Shelley Taylor, director of Agriculture Study Abroad, advises students interested in studying abroad and helps faculty coordinators.

"We will continue to offer affordable, flexible, diverse, year-round programs. We really try to personalize the experience," Taylor said.

Taylor said students choose study-abroad programs for many reasons. One is personal heritage. Some choose a program based on the faculty member leading the trip. One of the most popular trips has been to Australia for general agriculture. Students pay for their international experiences through scholarships, business sponsorships, student loans and personal contributions.

Kelli Cameron, junior in agricultural education and extension, traveled to Costa Rica through an ag study-abroad program. She said that her international experience gave her a new understanding of the globalized industry of agriculture.

"Learning about another country's agriculture helped me better understand their relationship with the United States and our part in providing food to the world," Cameron said.

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