“Going abroad offered me the chance to step outside my comfort zone and understand diverse perspectives. The Scotland’s Ruminants program allowed me to examine the similarities and differences between agriculture in the U.S. and Scotland. Seeing some of these differences firsthand helped me think more critically about how animal care practices can be adapted and improved back home in the U.S.,” reflected Kara Lintner, a senior animal sciences major in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences who studied abroad over spring break.
Led by faculty from the Department of Animal Sciences, students partnered with the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow to provide an examination of animal health and well-being in Scotland.
“We traveled all throughout Scotland, visiting various farms and learning about the animal husbandry practices they use, along with the environmental and economic factors that influence their decisions. I particularly enjoyed hearing from professionals at the Glasgow Veterinary School who shared their insights and experiences, which grew and strengthened my understanding of agricultural practices and their unique challenges in Scotland.”
By participating in this experience, students learned about the importance of keeping an open mind and being global citizens in the animal science industry and beyond.
“Being a global citizen gives you the opportunity to gain new perspectives as well as the possibility to learn from researchers all around the world. From an animal science perspective, topics like zoonotic disease and animal welfare are global issues. By connecting and learning from others worldwide, there are more chances to grow and develop new solutions that can benefit both people and animals.”