Program Overview
Every year, the new Alpha Zeta Partners class attends a six-week study abroad trip to Brazil. For most of the time, the group attends classes at the branch campus of University of Sao Paulo, ESALQ, in Piracicaba, Brazil. The lectures are taught by Brazilian professors and cover subjects related to history, agriculture, government, culture and economy of Brazil. In Piracicaba, the students also stay with a host family for a weekend and meet with them periodically throughout the trip. When not in classes, the students go on tours throughout the country including a 9-day bus tour through several regions of Brazil. Some examples of tours include soybean operations, apple orchards, sugar cane operations, factories, museums and cooperatives. The students also have time to relax and participate in fun activities such as white water rafting, snorkeling, samba dancing, sightseeing and hiking. Ultimately, the students get a chance to experience a unique culture and gain lifelong friendships.
Pre-Departure Reflection
Before departing on our adventure, I participated in various training opportunities through the Alpha Zeta Partners Honorary Fraternity. Our first training primarily focused on finding our brand and understanding more about how our actions, words and those who we surround ourselves with impact who we are. Second, we spent discussing what it meant to be diverse, and how we view and interact with others. During that experience we visited a synagogue, and a mosque, observing their worship services, asking questions and understanding how our differences make us stronger.
In terms of education before our trip, we met multiple times throughout the evenings as a way to discuss our expectations and what we needed to learn in order to be successful within this new culture. One asset to having a class each year, is the fact that we can bring those students who attended the year before and allow them to share their experiences and any feedback that they have.
Moreover, I took it upon myself to download an app called Duolingo in order to get ahead on learning to speak Portuguese. I was worried about going to a foreign country and not being able to communicate as I am not fluent in the language. This helped make me more comfortable and allow me to be successful once we started learning basic Portuguese throughout our first few weeks of class.
While Abroad Reflection
While abroad, I learned so many new things, and gained tons of new knowledge regarding global agriculture, as well as about myself. Take a look at the Daily Journal section of the website to read more of my in-country experiences from my daily journal!
After Return Reflection
Brazil taught me about the differences within cultures and in the world. The trip showed me that perspective means everything and while you are studying from afar, things can be dramatically different. As someone who would like to travel the globe and improve agriculture for all, this was very important for me. I have studied plant pathology while in the United States and in theory, the world’s problems seem so easy to solve. But, once you get to that place, you truly see how hard those issues can be and about how it may seem easy from afar but getting there you must truly work hard to combat the issues presented to you. While on my study abroad I was able to truly learn more about myself and what I want for my future. I want to make a difference in the world through agriculture. This trip helped to put my mind into perspective about what all that would mean for me and what all I would have to do in the future. I found myself evaluating everything and growing in a global mindset instead of a narrow close-minded approach. Looking back, it was one of the best things I have done for myself when it comes to furthering my career.
Moreover, everyone is different and that is okay. I believe that as leaders we preach this idea all of the time, however I feel that we have trouble practicing what we preach. I, myself, am guilty of this, but while on this trip I was able to truly recognize and learn how to utilize our differences to the best of my ability. Before this trip I thought that I was inclusive in my leadership, but upon my return I know that I was way off and I have learned what it means to truly be a leader among many different people.
Furthermore, sometimes you have to keep pushing yourself to do more and step outside of your comfort zone to bring to you a new place. Before this trip I had always said that I was planning on studying abroad eventually or traveling for my career. However, I was extremely nervous to do so. I know that things can be different within other cultures, but I was willing to step outside of my comfort zone and learn more about myself than I ever thought possible. I grew more in 6 weeks than I have during my second year of college and none of this would have happened except that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and attempted to learn in a more open mindset.