Agribusiness and applied economics major Allison Knapke studied abroad on the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences First-year Student Experience program over the 2024 winter break.
"Aside from having the opportunity to see and experience once-in-a-lifetime events - such as small-scale local farms that produce pineapple, cocoa, coffee, palm trees, and livestock; or the breathtaking historical sites that shape the Dominican Republic into the country it has grown into today - I was able to learn, hands-on, the different techniques and agricultural practices of the people in the Dominican Republic compared to the production techniques preferred in the United States.
Traveling to the Dominican Republic was such an amazing eye-opening experience for me. Having never traveled out of the country, it was so cool to surround myself with a different culture. The local people were very kind and were so happy to have our group as their guest. Their kindness allowed our group to embrace their culture and broaden our worldview, enhanced our understanding of challenges in agriculture worldwide, in all aspects of the community members, farmers, and production workers. Without traveling abroad to the Dominican Republic, I would have never fully grasped these differences in our cultures.
This experience taught me to be willing to adapt to a new environment, to value different perspectives and to turn challenges into new opportunities. By immersing myself in a new environment, I learned to observe and adjust to the actions of the locals. Picking up on some of their most common words, in a different language, and learning to interpret the very friendly body language exchanged everywhere. This experience opened my eyes to the growth made from discomfort and uncertainty.
I will apply the lessons learned in the Dominican Republic to both my academic and professional opportunities. I have learned to seek uncomfortable opportunities and push myself to adapt in a new environment. I will be open to all ideas. I'm now able to recognize the privilege I have in the opportunities and education I receive in the United States.
In the week I was in the Dominican I learned to adjust to their wonderful native foods, the warm climate, and the positive environment the locals promote. Apart from all that I learned, I also made lifelong friends with fellow students on the trip who made this experience the best I've ever had!"
