Bumpers College Group Learns About Food, Sustainability and More in Greece

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Food science and agricultural business double-major Emily King participated in the food, agricultural and sustainability international program in Greece.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Students in the U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences recently participated in the college's food, agricultural and sustainability international program in Greece, and shared their experiences with blog posts.

Emily King, Jerry Maus, Kylee Sigmon and others joined International Programs graduate assistant Maggie Jo Hansen and Assistant Dean of Student Programs Leslie Edgar on the three-week faculty-led trip May 15 through June 6.

"I had not been exposed to dairy farms or other types of agriculture, so this trip provided new experiences," said King. "In the classroom I have learned about the science behind dairy products, eggs and different types of meats, which are all important aspects of food science. However, production is also important, but difficult to teach in the classroom. Visiting American Farm School gave a visual to processes I've read about. These experiences will help me be a well-rounded food scientist one day."

King, who is from Wichita, Kansas, is double-majoring in food science and agricultural business, combining interests of nutrition, food production, product development, and supply and demand.

"I come from an agriculture background, specifically beef, but have always had an interest in sustainability," said Sigmon. "The combination of learning about agricultural systems while touring one of the most beautiful countries, not to mention the ancient history, was hard to beat."

Sigmon is from Berryville, and is double-majoring in agricultural business and agricultural communication.

The Bumpers College program combines lectures and hands-on learning experiences, giving students an understanding and practical knowledge of food systems, agricultural business and environmental sustainability in Greece. The program partners with universities in Crete and Thessaloniki to give students access to experts in each field along with site visits to farms, unique food, agriculture and environmental sustainability systems.

"I plan to pursue a career in agricultural communication," said Sigmon. "I'm always looking for opportunities to become more diverse and credible regarding worldwide agriculture, so this trip was perfect. Every student should consider studying abroad. This will forever be one of my most beneficial experiences. The chance to travel with fellow students to a foreign country and immerse yourself in their culture while studying your degree field is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"There are many things I learned that better prepared me for my future career, but one of the most important is the comfort level gained when put in a foreign situation, which can help tremendously in business interaction when dealing with others," said Maus, an agricultural business major from Morrilton, Arkansas.

Students were exposed to diverse Mediterranean diets and food systems with stops at Crete, Thessaloniki and a site visit to Athens.

"Other students should consider studying abroad because it can give them another perspective about information they learn in the classroom," said King. "The experience they have while studying abroad will help them in both their future careers and personal lives. Traveling to a foreign country has made me appreciate the United States and all the freedoms we have. After studying abroad, I feel I gained more independence and self-reliance." 

Experiences for the group included lodging at American Farm School, visits to the center market in Crete, Elafonisi beach, St. Demetrius church, Marianna's Vineyard, dairy facilities and the monastery village of Meteora; taking Greek and Cretan traditional dance lessons, hiking through the Samaria Gorge, a two-day hike of Mount Olympus, olive and olive oil tastings, making traditional Greek yogurt and wine tastings; and lectures on food safety, the Mediterranean diet, rural development and sustainability, agricultural policy issues, livestock production, grape varieties and Greek culture, among many others.

"I was blown away by the ancient history," said Sigmon. "We were among ruins 5,000 years old. We looked down at the rock where Paul the Apostle preached to the Athenians. We saw the cave where Zeus was supposedly born. These are things most people only dream of seeing and I spent three weeks taking it in."

"All Greeks value spending time with family and friends," said King. "It is not uncommon for them to sit and talk for hours about everything from their lives to politics. This will stick with me because in the United States we often do not take time to just listen about the lives of other people."

The students took turns blogging and posting photos about their experiences, which can be read and seen here:

http://bumpersingreece.weebly.com/home/archives/05-2016

For information about 2017 Bumpers College international programs, go here:  http://bumpersinternational.uark.edu. Plan now to study abroad this winter or next summer. Bumpers College offers faculty-led programs to Mozambique, Belize, Belgium, China, Greece and Italy; courses and exchanges in France, and the United Kingdom and Belgium; and internships and research in India, Brazil, Philippines, Scotland and Uganda.

"Study abroad improves your educational standing, gives you a competitive advantage in future career markets, and puts you in a situation to make great friends and experience things you would not be able to otherwise," said Maus.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.