Introduction: Kryslynne V.

Hi! My name is Kryslynne and I am a sophomore at Penn State University. I plan on graduating with a degree in agricultural and extension education. When I’m not in State College attending classes, you can find me back home on the fruit farm that I work at.  I have always had a love for all forms of agriculture but through the farm I have gained a much deeper love for it. You wouldn’t believe the amount of knowledge I have acquired just in how to properly cut a tree. Seeing all these things that factor into farming, of any kind, inspires me to continue to expand my understanding of agriculture. 

 My family and I enjoy traveling all across the U.S. on hunting trips and just for the adventure. However, I haven’t gotten the chance to travel outsides of the states yet so I am wicked excited to be traveling to Belize! When I go on hunting trips I am mainly focusing on how the animals interact with the environment. But with this trip, I want to try to focus more on how crops and other plants are grown.

I love going to new places and meeting new people. Somehow by putting myself in these situations, I am able to overcome my antisocial tendencies. By knowing that I have limited time with these new individuals I strive to learn as much as I can from them. For example, when I went bear hunting in Maine I volunteered to aid in setting up the ground blinds and baiting. Being able to get an up close and personal view of how the guide carried out their jobs showed me that there was more to it than just sitting down and getting the chance to shoot a bear. There was an extensive amount of preparation behind making sure everything would run smoothly. If I would have never volunteered I wouldn’t have appreciated getting my bear as much as I did.

In addition, I have conducted an extensive amount of research on the people of Mesoamerica. At a very young age I developed an extreme interest for history. One of the fields I always wanted to gain more knowledge on is the Mayans and Aztecs. I was always fascinated by their artwork and architecture. The detail that they would put into constructing these amazing structures entranced me. To expand my knowledge of these people I’ve taken classes that directly focused on the Mayans and Aztecs. So, when I heard that I could get to travel to the area that I have studied for so long I almost lost my mind. It was like a dream come true for me. I hope to make the most out of this trip as I possibly can.

Introduction: Erin Langdale

Hello! My name is Erin Langdale, and I am an Agricultural and Extension Education major at Penn State, meaning that hopefully in the not-so-far-away future, I’ll be teaching agriculture in a high-school, and sharing my passion for agriculture with my students. After all, high-school agricultural education is how I came to know and love this incredible industry.

This photo was taken at Blyde River Canyon in South Africa!

When I was a kid, it was my DREAM to to travel. In my mind, I had always pictured myself flying to large European cities. Seeing the London Eye,  The Eiffel Tower, roaming around Rome, and so on. I grew up watching movies of these places and knew that one day I’d travel to them. When I think back on it, it almost shocks me how relatively small my world-view was, and how I’d only ever considered going to these more famous, cities. I guess that’s just how traveling changes your perspective.

About a year and a half ago, I was presented with the opportunity to travel to South Africa with the National FFA Organization as a part of  the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers. When the location was announced, it hit me that South Africa was not even in consideration for places I thought I might travel someday, but in a way, that made me more curious, and interested in going. I jumped in, and decided to go and it was honestly one of the greatest life experiences I have ever had.

Not going to lie, before I went, I knew next to nothing about South Africa, and in a way, it’s similar to how I know almost nothing about Belize. But just like the process of heading to South Africa, that fact that Belize is never really a place I had considered, draws more interest to me.

The reason why I want to travel to Belize is to feel as if I am learning something completely new, for the first time, all over again. When I traveled, I realized how little I actually knew, and I got to actually experience the differences in cultures, traditions, and norms of South Africa. When I got home, I craved that newness of information, and knew that maybe I wasn’t called to travel to the places I dreamed of as a kid, but it was the places I didn’t know about that I would grow more from. I am excited to see the growth that will happen on this trip. The growth of knowledge, history, culture, understanding, and so much more. I am excited to see Agricultural Education in a completely new way. And finally, I am excited to overuse every single Belize pun out there, because that’s just the person I am. I can’t wait for the adventure ahead! I can’t BELIZE it’s actually happening!

Introduction : Sarah Miller

Hello. My name is Sarah Miller and I am currently a super senior (fifth year) at Penn State. I will be graduating with an Agricultural Science degree that includes International Agriculture and Sustainability Leadership as my minors. I began my journey five years ago thinking about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and I have grown many interests since that initial day at PSU Berks campus.

Through coming to college I have grown into many new hobbies and interests, like horses. I joined the PSU Berks Western Equestrian Club before coming to the PSU Western Equestrian Team here at University Park. The picture to the right is Gunner, my horse, and myself a couple summers back, when I first bought him. He was bought from an auction and has not specification of breed or age, but is apart of the many things that Penn State has opened doors to.

Traveling has also become a passion of mine through Penn State. In just the last couple of years, I have traveled to New Zealand and Ecuador for different volunteer opportunities that I have found through the University. At the beginning of these experiences I did not think about the learning aspect of the trip, but have learned a lot while being immersed in a different culture. I think Belize will be a great immersive learning experience, just like my past trips.

In Ecuador I learned how intricate a language barrier can be on a personal level, but I also see this as part of the experience in non-English speaking countries. If everything was simply explained, the hands-on understanding would not be perceived the same way.

What I think I most look forward to about the trip is being able to interact with the different people throughout the week. I have met many people during my travels that have become amazing parts to my life, whether they know it or not. Learning but also memories are what is to come.

Introduction: Kurt Miller

I'm Kurt! Animal Science major with minors in Poultry & Avian Sciences and International Agriculture. My picture is one of my favorite pictures from my Philadelphia Zoo internship. I serve at Gigi's Southern Table on the weekends and recently was hired in a research lab on campus. I'm hoping to study methods of improving food security in graduate school. After this study, I want to continue researching methods of improving food security at a land grant university as a professor. Ideally, this would be through poultry models as a way to improve protein nutrition in children.

Well, first and foremost, my interest in this course is to travel. I've only been out of the country once - to Haiti - but I loved the experience. The time I spent in Haiti was with a missions trip for my church's youth group. Before the trip, we raised funds to help rebuild a school that was demolished the the earthquake the previous year. Until a few months ago, actually, I wanted to go to grad school in Spain. I also thoroughly enjoy traveling in the USA as well. My recent travel experiences in the USA include California, Georgia, and an internship in Arkansas last summer.

Secondarily, I need this trip to satisfy the INTAG minor requirement to travel. That being said, this course's content works well with my career aspirations. I hope to work in international aid, increasing food security. Learning about education in a developing country will give me context of how to learn about educational strategies (formal and non-formal) in other countries if I see potential in using such avenues. I'm very excited to learn agricultural structure in Belize as well.

My friend in Animal Science traveled to Belize this previous summer with CELA Belize. Her experience was framed around veterinary medicine, as she will be applying to vet schools starting this summer. While she was in Belize and when she came back, she spoke so highly of the experience and the country. So when I saw that the College was offering an embedded course travelling to Belize, I jumped on the opportunity because of how much my friend enjoyed the experience.

One thing that I personally hope to gain from this course and experience is a better understanding of Central American agriculture. I have an idea in my head of how farming is done in developing countries (I do understand it differs between region and climate), but because I only have experience in one other country, my ideas can't be all that close to the truth. I hope to challenge my preconceived ideas with a truthful experience in-country.

Finally I have to say: After reading The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw (I'm almost done!) I'm so incredibly excited to visit the Belize Zoo.

Introduction: Gillian Warner

Hi! Welcome to my first blog post as I start my adventure to Belize! My name is Gillian

Warner, and I’m currently a freshman at Penn State in the College of Agricultural Sciences. I

decided I wanted to get an early start on a study abroad experience, and I am so excited to begin

with a trip to Belize over spring break.

My family has always been interested in travel, so having those new experiences and

seeing different cultures and traditions has always been important to me. Through family trips, I

have been to Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, Austria, and Germany.

While I was in Austria, I stayed in a family friend’s house with their family. They had a

few younger kids who were absolutely fascinated with us. We spoke differently than they did

and we probably looked and acted slightly differently as well. When I woke up in the morning,

their seven year-old daughter was propped up against the side of the couch I was staying on, her

face resting in the palm of her hands. When she realized I was looking back at her, she

immediately ducked down so all I could see were her eyes. She sat there blinking at me. A

simple “Hello” from me sent her rushing into the other room with her parents.

This natural curiosity and uncertainty is why I believe travel is so important. When in a

new place or presented with someone or something that seems different than you are used to,

sometimes we aren’t sure how to act. It can be uncomfortable if everything seems new to you,

but I believe that we must learn about, work to understand, and appreciate the differences that

make us unique in order to use all of our strengths to better our world. The more we can try to be

empathetic with one another, the more we will understand each other, our motives, and solutions

to issues facing the world that impacts all of us.

We need to find a way to connect and the best way to begin that is to step outside of your

comfort zone and say hello .

Travel definitely runs in my family. In addition to family trips, my dad travels a lot for

work in environmental conservation, my sister is studying abroad this summer in Amsterdam,

and my mom works here at Penn State as the Assistant Dean in the College of Ag for

International Programs. I feel so lucky to have grown up with the opportunity and support to

explore the world.

Once I heard about the trip to Belize, I knew this embedded course would be great for

me. Some of my other passions include riding horses, taking care of my dog, and working

around the farm.

A course that will teach me indigenous knowledge of agriculture will open my mind,

allow me to see other perspectives, and allow me to see, understand, and make connections about

life, culture, and agriculture in different areas around the world. I can’t wait to get to Belize and

experience everything with students who are also passionate about travel and agriculture! I hope

you’ll continue to read our blog and join us as we prepare for, experience, and reflect on this trip.

Introduction: Olivia Richart

Spring Break 2018: I Can’t Belize It!

 

Spring break is nothing short of the most exciting week for college students.

 

Some students choose to go home, sleep in, and treat themselves to some quality rest and relaxation that they deserve after a stressful start to a packed spring semester.

 

Some students choose to go on vacation to somewhere that’s sunny and 75, like a beautiful beach or exotic island resort.

 

But I get to do something just a little different. Not only do I get the opportunity to break up the monotony of my college classes for a week and travel to somewhere tropical and exotic, I will be able to combine my passion for agriculture and my interest in international development during a weeklong, once-in-a-lifetime experience in Belize!

 

My name is Olivia Richart, and I’m currently a sophomore attending Penn State. I’m majoring in agricultural sciences and minoring in international agriculture with hopes to work in international development someday, either as a civilian or during my service obligation with the Army. I am excited to say that Belize, which is a small country in Central America that has long been known for its barrier reefs, white sandy beaches, exotic tropical wildlife, and the Blue Hole scuba diving site, will be the second destination chronicled between the pages of my passport after an excursion to Norway in the summer of 2017.

 

Many people travel to Belize for the typical tourist sights, like the Belize Zoo, the lush cascading rainforest or delicious food options . Trust me, I love sightseeing and food-tasting as much as the next clueless-looking tourist girl, but what really puts me on the edge of my seat in excitement is the opportunity I have to visit numerous farms throughout this beautiful country and learn about a completely different production system and climate.

 

Soil, rainfall, water availability, climate; all of these are pivotal factors in a country’s ability to produce quality food for its people. After traveling to Norway, I was able cultivate a more contextual understanding of the critical role that the environment plays in a country’s food system and security. Norway has a staunchly different climate than Belize, with almost year-round permafrost, fairly infertile, rocky soil, and temperatures that rarely exceed 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, all of which were huge obstacles that their agricultural system was able to successfully adapt to. I can’t wait to experience the tropics and delve deeper into the impact that this exotic climate has on Belizean agriculture!

 

When I came to Penn State, I was shocked at how well traveled many of my friends were. Italy, France, England; you name it, my peers had been there. I felt behind the learning curve my first semester; no fun foods I’ve taste tested, awkward language barrier encounters, or tales of cultural differences from faraway lands. I was just a simple girl from rural America with blue collar parents and a travel log of four, maybe five states.

 

But now, as a sophomore in college, I can safely navigate an airport, (domestic or foreign!) hop on public transportation, (nervously) break though a language barrier, (sometimes very badly) and proudly say that I not only have 20 states and one country under my belt, but also that I have managed to incorporate my love of agriculture into every destination!

 

Belize is a popular destination for good reason: tropical climate, delectable food, exotic wildlife, and intriguing culture. While I am undoubtably excited for all of those and more, I am most excited for the opportunity to immerse myself in Belizean agriculture.

 

College has undoubtably been the most impactful experience in my life, and it is a privilege that I am thankful for every day of my life. Now, I will be able to combine newfound intercultural literacy and global citizenship with my passion for agriculture. I really can’t Belize it!