Ella Higgins, a senior majoring in animal sciences, studied abroad through the Human and Animal Interactions program over winter break 2023.
Some of the most memorable experiences I have from this trip are ones with the other OSU students. I am so glad I decided to travel abroad with a group of fellow Buckeyes because it made the experience so much more memorable and meaningful to me. I really enjoyed being able to collaborate and discuss agriculture and animal sciences together as we explored various aspects of the country. By traveling together, I was able to form a stronger appreciation for the country, culture, and human and animal interactions, while creating new friendships with other Buckeyes.
My favorite memory from this trip was visiting Blarney Castle. I absolutely loved visiting a real castle up close, exploring the hallways and rooms, and reading about its history. The climb to the top was a little intense, but it was all worth it when we got to the Blarney Stone. I got to kiss the Blarney Stone to acquire the gift of eloquence. Afterwards, we explored the gardens that surround the castle, and there was even a rainbow as we were leaving.
I placed a lot of importance on going abroad because I wanted to gain a better perspective of the world and different cultures. I had not traveled far from home prior to this program, and I wanted to find an opportunity to change this. I was excited to find a program that not only brought me somewhere abroad, but also enhanced my education at the same time.
By traveling abroad, I’ve learned a lot about animal welfare, especially in regards to animals in captivity. The Dublin Zoo in particular had amazing enclosures for the animals and the tour we went on provided lots of insight into how Ireland makes its animal welfare decisions. After learning about their approach to welfare, I have gained a new perspective on how the U.S. handles animal welfare situations, and the ways in which we can learn from Ireland.
I think being a global citizen means having a deeper understanding of the world and how we are all part of the same planet. While we may all be from different countries, or different parts of the same country, we all still belong to the same planet. I think global citizens recognize this through the experiences they have had by traveling abroad and spending time in various places across the globe.