Students make many connections on study abroad trip

The group poses for a picture at the Sanssouci Palace and Gardens, which was the summer residence of the Prussian emperor Frederick the Great in Potsdam (near Berlin) in Germany. They are, from left, Tucker Seyb, Afifah Rahim, Matt Hansen, Mara Budweg, Jeff Schott, Linda Geiger, Daweyn Albertsen, Jim Begley and Jacek Koziel.

An Iowa State study abroad trip last summer became a family affair for two students.

Daweyn Albertsen, a junior majoring in animal science, and Matt Hansen, a senior in agricultural engineering, decided to explore where their Danish ancestors originated. They visited Aero Island, where Hansen's grandfather's uncle lived before coming to the United States and knew Albertsen's family.

"Daweyn actually found a picture of my grandpa's uncle and his grandpa, I believe, as they were leaving the island for America," Hansen said.

The two decided to leave early and spend a week traveling in Denmark before the study abroad trip began. They didn't make it to the island, but suggested a visit to the group.

Hansen said they visited attractions on the island including museums, shops and beaches. "It was a very quaint place," he said.

Getting in touch with their roots is a common goal of many students.

"Exploring the country of their family's heritage during a study abroad trip is a big draw for students," said Shelley Taylor, director of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences study abroad program.

Jacek Koziel, a native of Poland and professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, led the group of eight students to tour animal production systems in Poland, Germany and Denmark last July and August. He said the goal of the trip was to improve the understanding of cultural, social, economic and technical differences between the United States and Central Europe, with a specific focus on livestock production systems, technology, the environment and sustainability.

Another trip connection

The trip uncovered another connection for Albertsen. As he was picked up at the end of the trip, his father, Frank, mentioned to Koziel that he had been a member of an Iowa State-sponsored trip to Europe 45 years ago along with a group that included Maynard Hogberg, chair of the animal science department.

Because of that experience Hogberg has encouraged his own children to study abroad. "You don't think the same after you've been on those trips; whether we were dealing with smaller, European-sized farms, livestock operations, marketing coops, the integration of agriculture with society," he said. "And you make enough friendships that you keep in contact with the rest of your life."

Koziel, who was leading his first study abroad trip, agreed that the experience changed him and the students.

"They are still thinking about it and comparing the United States and Europe," he said.

A student told him it was one of the top three "formative" experiences. Another student is considering applying to graduate school in Europe.

Another learned a valuable lesson that was missed in school. "Before this trip, I was not interested in animal housing. In fact, I thought it was dumb that I even had to take classes about it," Linda Geiger, a senior in agricultural engineering, wrote in her trip journal. "Now, I realize how important it is. Within the coming decades, the U.S. will inevitably have to adopt these policies, so engineers will be needed to design and implement them."

Students ask questions while touring Emerald Pork, an Irish-owned swine production facility in Germany.

Experience created enduring memories

The combination of eating new foods, seeing different sites, dealing with strange customs and learning about European ways of animal production provided an eye-opening experience that tested many of the students.

Most agreed touring the Berlin Wall monument in Germany was an enduring memory. Many mentioned a visit to the rural Aero Island as a favorite side-trip.

The group also toured a fully automated dairy in Denmark, an egg-laying facility in Germany, a wheat ethanol plant in Wroclaw and a biogas generation facilities on farms in Germany and Denmark.

The other students on the trip included: Afifah Rahim, a sophomore in animal science; Jeff Schott, a junior in agricultural systems technology; Jim Begley, a junior in agricultural systems technology; Mara Budweg, a senior in agricultural studies; and Tucker Seyb, a senior in agricultural systems technology.