Travel

Getting kicked out of the classroom is a good thing.

We encourage you to travel with organizations to attend national and international conferences where you can network with professionals in the field. Many conferences will provide you the opportunity to develop speaking skills while clarifying your professional goals and how you can obtain them. The days of being sent to the hallway for punishment are long gone. Here, getting kicked out of the classroom is a great thing.

Paige Myers

Paige Myers

Boone, Iowa
Global Resource Systems, Agriculture & Society, and Spanish

Where has GRS taken you?
Borlaug-Ruan Intern in Bangladesh at BRAC
Study Abroad in Valencia, Spain
Volunteer in Tanzania
Cultural Travel to Colombia, Costa Rica, and Portugal

How has it made a difference?
I’ve been traveling pretty consistently since I was 16 years old– I’ve been very lucky to have parents who supported and encouraged my curiosity about the rest of the world. Spending time in other countries and cultures has taught me to see things from another perspective and has allowed me to form relationships. Thanks to travel, I have supervisors, peers, friends, and “family” all over the world. As to my educational experience, I think traveling has allowed me to apply what I learn in class in the real world– and vice versa. For example; learning firsthand about BRAC’s model of development allows me to think critically about how to solve problems through non-governmental organizations.

Hannah Darr

Hannah Darr

Indianola, Iowa
Global Resource Systems & Emerging Global Diseases

Where has GRS taken you?
Uganda Service Learning Program, Kamuli, Uganda
Community Nutrition Intern with Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, Kamuli, Uganda
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, D.C.
University Fighting World Hunger Conference, Columbus, Missouri
Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development Conference, Future Leader Fellow, Washington, D.C.
National Collegiate Honors Council Winterim, Iquitos, Peru

How has it made a difference?
I was born and raised in Iowa and before enrolling at Iowa State University, I hadn’t been outside of the Midwest, nonetheless, the USA. When I graduated just four years later in GRS, I had learned and worked around the United States and on three different continents! While the mileage sounds impressive, I think my academic, professional, and personal development because of these experiences exceeds the distance traveled. I listen closer, I think more critically, and I lead with greater confidence. It’s made all the difference in my world, and I hope it allows me to make a positive impact in the lives of those around me, no matter where I am.

Adam Willman

Adam Willman

Marshaltown, Iowa
Global Resource Systems, Agronomy, and Horticulture

Where has GRS taken you?

IAAS Exchange Committee in Madrid, Spain
DuPont Pioneer Corn Genetics Research Intern in Woodland/Davis, California
UN Youth Delegate for IAAS-ISU in New York, New York
US State Department Critical Language Scholarship in Meknes, Morocco

How has it made a difference?

Each and every time I travel I am excited to get on the plane. I love making new friends, eating new food, and exploring new places. I encourage all students, whether in the GRS major or not, to take advantage of the amazing opportunities offered within the major, college and university. To not only see the world, but learn from it. Take the time to shift your comfort level so that you walk around like a local and not like a tourist. Forcing yourself to be uncomfortable in a new place accelerates learning. It is a different but equally important source of knowledge that helps you apply what is learned in class to life outside academia. (It’s a cliche, but it is true.) What’s more, when you come back to the classroom you have unique and diverse insights to share with classmates. If you’re going to talk about international development, relations or any topic outside of the Iowa, you’re going to need the insight that can only be gained by living and working in said place.

Educationally, I have gained a tremendous sum from my travels. I’ve gained professional and work skills that one would expect to gain from a job or internship. But, I have also learned to live on my own and more importantly cook on my own. I’ve learned to ask for help from others and not be ashamed. I’ve learned to be more open in offering help to those less fortunate or disenfranchised. I’ve become more creative and diverse in my communication skills and I’ve gained amazing stories along the way.