CAFNR hallways heat up with study abroad excitement
by Emily Schmidt, posted Jan. 24, 2008
Temperatures might be frigid outside, but the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Study Abroad Fair had students’ imaginations warming up to thoughts of global adventures.
It was predicted that 500 to 600 students would walk through the corridor that connects the Agriculture Building to the Natural Resources building to see displays and talk with staff and students about the international opportunities offered through CAFNR.
Roy Robinson, CAFNR international programs director, was there to answer students’ questions.
“There are so many programs that run at different times of the year for the students’ convenience,” Robinson said.
Right now, the most popular destinations are Australia and Prague, but Robinson says that could change. Each program takes from 15 to 25 students. The number varies from program to program.
For example, the Germany trip is the least expensive and takes the most students. Those students may select which program they want to take, either food science or animal science.
The costs also vary by program, but the most expensive is in England at the University of Reading. The value of the dollar has decreased, resulting in a higher cost to U.S. students.
Robert Sites, professor of entomology, leads a group of students to Thailand each year during the semester break. During their most recent trip, NBC News filmed a special feature on the work Sites and the students are doing to help rehabilitate the coral reef. It will air on NBC Friday January 25.
“It is wonderful exposure for our students and our program,” Robinson said.
The Thailand program offers a unique experience and a way for students to get out of the cold winter temperatures and experience a different culture.
“It was nice to get out of the cold Midwest temperatures. In Thailand, it was in the low 90s, quite different from around here,” Sites said.
Sites helps students prepare for the experience by meeting with them regularly during the fall semester to discuss cultural differences, including language and cuisine. Students earned five semester hours of credit.
While on the trip, students learned about biodiversity, conservation and coral reef fish.
Kellen Rotert, a sophomore, majoring in Information Technology, was one of the students who went on the Thailand trip. The three-week trip was fun for him. He worked on coral reef rehabilitation and studied different endangered animals of Thailand.
“It was the best experience of my life,” Rotert said.
His favorite memory is the nine days of scuba diving on the trip.
“Students take these trips for all sorts of reasons, but they all do it to gain some type of personal international experience,” Robinson said
For more information on CAFNR study abroad, contact Roy Robinson, program director of international studies, or visit the study abroad Web site.
