Bumpers College Students Gain Experiences Abroad
Sept. 9, 2009

Students from the Bumpers College Global Studies Program tour Edinburgh, Scotland.

“In just four weeks, I was able to travel all over the country, build relationships with the locals and learn about agriculture and community development,” said Julia Johannesen, who participated in a service learning community development program in Belize.

Johannesen, a senior majoring in dietetics and human nutrition, was one of 40 students who participated in a variety of spring or summer internships and study abroad programs in 12 countries from Australia and New Zealand to Scotland and Spain. The programs were coordinated through the Bumpers College Global Studies Program and the UA Study Abroad Office.

Some students traveled together and completed similar internships, such as Chris Alexander and Jacob Wooley, students in the departments of agricultural extension and education and poultry science, respectively. Both students participated in the summer international study and internship program at the Perrotis College of Agricultural Studies in Thessaloniki, Greece. They studied Greek culture and gained experience on the American Farm School’s research farm.

Students majoring in animal or poultry science completed summer research internships in Edinburgh either with the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) or with the University of Edinburgh Royal School for Veterinary Studies. Kameron Sullivan, Helen Wick and Kristen Byrne worked with SAC’s Animal Health Group and Sustainable Livestock Unit, and Kimberly Santos, Kyndl Brunson and Mallory Eanes worked with the head of the anesthesiology department for the Royal School of Veterinary Studies.

Apparel studies majors Natalie Lundy and Summer Daniels completed spring internships prior to their graduation in May 2009 with a fashion public relations firm in London. Kelly Milner, a junior majoring in child development, and Bonnie Burton who is majoring in recreation, completed internships with Kidzcare, a company that provides a variety of child care services at 20 locations in Edinburgh.

Horticulture student Paul Sandefur completed his summer internship at the Explorer’s Garden in Pitlochry located at the foothills of the Scottish Highlands. Agricultural business major Breana Watkins learned about food inspection and certification with the Scottish Food Quality Certification agency.

Food science student Amanda Watkins had the opportunity to work with the director of the Food Innovation Institute near Edinburgh, and Stacy Rahat, a senior majoring in dietetics, participated in a diet and nutrition research study at Queen Margaret University near Edinburgh.

The number of students participating in study abroad and internship programs continues to increase almost every year, according to Dr. Raymond Barclay, director of the Bumpers College Global Studies Program, International Agricultural Programs Office.

“An international experience is vital to today’s students," Barclay said. “Our programs of study and internships abroad are designed to meet each student’s career goals.”

Barclay said students who attended summer study programs included dietetics major Huajie Geng who went to Spain and agricultural business majors Lisa Ogier and Pamela Jackson who completed summer terms in Australia. Poultry science student Julie Wilcox studied in Ireland, and Amanda Ashworth, graduate student in the department of crops, soils and environmental science, attended a two week program in Austria.

Hospitality major Paige Buchanon joined students from other universities for a summer hospitality program in Europe, sponsored through Oklahoma State University. The program involved study and travel to Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland.  Pearl Daniels a junior in the department of crop, soil and environmental sciences, participated in the UA Classics Program in Greece.

Now that the students have returned, Barclay said they are now ambassadors for the Global Studies Program.

“Each student is asked to identify another student to participate in a study abroad or international internship,” Barclay said. “Studying abroad for the summer or the semester is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Although most students cover their own expenses, Barclay says GSP Travel Awards and Endowed Scholarships are available, such as Cordia Harrington ("The Bun Lady"), International Experience Endowed Scholarship, the Richard Locke Endowed Scholarship for Study Abroad, and the Wayne Sabbe Endowed Scholarship in International Agronomic Study.

“Endowed scholarship are critical to the success of the program,” Barclay said. “These gifts help defray part of the costs of travel and accommodations and make studying abroad affordable for many students.”

Global Studies Program
Dr. Raymond W. Barclay, Director
425 Hotz Hall, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-575-6727 • rbarclay@uark.edu