This is something that it just on my college bucket list, but it is just as important. The possibilities at Penn State are limitless, and while I’m here, I want to take advantage of as many as I can.
Studying abroad offers so many benefits. It can give students a global perspective, allowing them to experience different cultures and ways of life. Studying abroad allows students to truly be on their own, and makes them learn to be independent and responsible. If you travel to a country that speaks a different language, your time there will rapidly increase your ability to speak that language. All in all, studying abroad would be a fantastic experience that I hope to get the opportunity to do while I am at Penn State.
I am a student in the College of Agriculture, and they offer a great study abroad program. You can receive an International Agriculture (INTAG) minor if you take two INTAG classes (one 100 level and one 400 level) and then spend a semester abroad studying whatever agriculture major you are in. This sounds like a great option for me because I have always wanted to study abroad, and it is an easy way to receive a minor in something worthwhile. On the College of Ag’s website, they state, “This minor is an interdisciplinary program of study designed to enable students to (1) gain awareness of and appreciation for the interdependent nature of food and fiber systems worldwide; (2) gain awareness of problems in international agriculture and sustainability of alternative solutions; (3) understand global impacts of technology, and (4) understand systems of learning across cultures.” As a horticulture major, I think that this program would be very beneficial to get to know how different countries grow their food and what type of methods of growing they believe to be the best.
Whether you are interested in agriculture or not, it is always good to experience different cultures and learn from them. It doesn’t matter who you are, there are always new things you can learn from new environments. Studying abroad is a way to open your mind to new ideas and ways of life. I would definitely recommend looking into any study abroad programs in your own college. Hopefully you will find one that really interests you!
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I was curious about the same things as Mackenzie – is there a particular place that Agriculture majors usually study? As a theatre major, I’m really excited to study drama in London! I’m also hoping to able to travel around Europe while overseas to use my French. What would you be looking to gain from an agricultural point of view? I hope you find the right program for you!
I think it’s cool how many schools at PSU offer minors that encourage students to study abroad. My passion blog is an exploration of majors and I was shocked to find out how many catered to the studying abroad experience that so many students want! I’ve always said that going abroad was the #1 item on my college bucket list; nowadays, it’s hard to have a complete college experience without it! I want to go to Italy because a lot of my family still lives there and I have never met them. Where would you like to study?
Studying abroad is definitely a common college bucket list item for most students. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to travel abroad, but I think it’s a great experience for others! I agree that it’s not only a way to learn about another culture, but also a way to quickly learn a language. It’s also important to make global connections because our world is becoming more and more globalized. Where are you thinking of traveling abroad to? Common places that I’v heard people like to travel to are Italy and Spain. Are there other specific locations that are more beneficial for Agriculture majors?