Oh the places you'll go with ACES
The world is your classroom at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, College of Agricultural Consumer and Environmental Sciences. While our campus buzzes with diverse connections and innovative ideas, our education abroad programs take learning across oceans and to new heights, from mountain tops to jungles.
Jenna Spangler, Gunnar Wuebben, and Julia Podgorni all participated in the College of ACES Education abroad programs, exploring new cultures and landscapes. They broadened their perspective in ways only travel can offer, making their college adventures truly unforgettable.
ACES’ Education abroad programs reach all over the world and are offered at different times throughout the year to fit your schedule: summer session, winter break, spring break, or a whole semester.
Jenna, an incoming senior studying Food Science and Human Nutrition with a concentration in Hospitality Management, participated in “The Chocolate Food System in Ecuador” (FSHN 398) in Quito, Ecuador, during her winter break of 2023. Their cohort visited chocolate and coffee farms all across Ecuador and in the Andes mountains.
“We were fortunate enough to watch and learn about the entire chocolate system, from bean to bar,” Jenna said. “My favorite part was speaking with farmers (through a translator) about their growing strategies and the chocolate harvesting process. We got to try lots of chocolate, my favorite being the dark chocolate bar with salt bits and cacao nibs,” Jenna said.
Gunnar Wuebben traveled to Brazil for the “International Business Immersion” (ACE 436) program. Gunnar will be a senior this fall studying ACE finance in agribusiness and highly recommends this trip.
“My journey to Brazil began long before we left the tarmac from the windy city of Chicago,” said Gunnar.
During the ACE 436 course, he and his classmates worked with students from Brazil and Mexico to combat issues that businesses faced due to cultural differences. Gunnar’s group worked with the Brazilian start-up IMBRagro to better understand the issues related to adopting artificial intelligence in different countries.
Once in Brazil, Gunnar learned about the sustainability and resilience of Brazilian farming through visits to farms and rural communities.
“Little did I know this global classroom experience would not only broaden my horizons but also deeply transform my understanding of the world and my place within it,” Gunnar said.
Julia Podgorni is an incoming junior studying agricultural consumer economics with a concentration in agribusiness markets and management.
During spring break, Julia participated in a short-term study abroad trip with ACES “Sustainable Food Systems in Italy” (ACES 298) course. She and her classmates spent five days in Rome, one day in Orvieto, and a final day in Florence.
“While in Rome, I engaged in various experiences and sightseeing. One of my favorite activities was a guided food tour, where we tasted and learned how local foods were made, such as guanciale, suppli, and gelato,” Julia said. “We visited the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and my favorite, the medieval hilltop town of Orvieto.”
In Orvieto, Julia and her classmates visited a regenerative farm, learning about their organic and regenerative farming practices.
“Studying abroad in Italy allowed me to broaden my horizons and discover a new passion in a specific area of agriculture. I would highly recommend studying abroad to other students to gain memorable experiences and immersion within a different culture,” said Julia.
Studying abroad trips gave Jenna, Gunnar, and Julia a new perspective on cultures from around the world. For more information on summer, winter, or spring break or semester-long trips, visit College of ACES Education Abroad.