The advantages of being a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) extend well beyond the campus and city limits. The First-Year Experience Study Abroad Programs provide new students a unique opportunity to explore the world, expand their perspectives, and gain a head start on global learning experiences. 

During New Student Registration, they can choose between two distinct programs – Panamá: Discovering Agricultural and Environmental Systems and Ecuador: Service Learning and Sustainability. The journey begins with an eight-week pre-departure course, ACES 298, where students explore the agricultural systems and culture of their destination. Then, during winter break, they have the opportunity to experience these aspects firsthand in their respective locations.

Panamá - Discovering Agricultural and Environmental Systems

The Panamá experience offers students a deep dive into the country’s culture and agriculture, guided by ALEC instructor, Gary Ochs, and study abroad coordinator, Roxanne Patiño.

“I've designed this experience to introduce students to Caribbean agriculture while highlighting Panamá's importance to the U.S.,” Ochs said.

Since taking over the program in 2019, Ochs has worked to make the Panamá experience meaningful for all students.

“This experience is valuable for anyone in the College of ACES,” Ochs said. “And what’s better than escaping the Illinois winter for some warm weather?”

Sa’nyi Burrill, a freshman in the Department of Animal Sciences, was among the 15 students who traveled to Panamá this winter.

“The whole experience, from the eight-week course to visiting farms in Panamá was wonderful,” Burrill said. “We explored not only cultural differences but also the distinct characteristics of Panamá’s agricultural practices.” 

For Burrill, the experience also created a close-knit community. “We had the opportunity to truly connect with everyone during this experience, and by the end, it felt like we had become a small family,” she said.

“This experience made me more globally aware of agricultural practices, issues, and innovation in other countries compared to the United States,” Burrill said. “I would highly recommend this program to future students.”

Ecuador - Service Learning and Sustainability 

In Ecuador, students engage in hands-on sustainable agriculture, working at Nido de Vida (Nest of Life), an experimental farm and visit dairy farms, sugar cane farms, a cheese-making business, and a plant nursery, all while immersing themselves in local culture. The experience is led by ABE faculty, Travis Johnson, and ABE staff member, Kelsie Woodward

“This experience is unique in that we stay in a small town in Ecuador called San Miguel de los Bancos, hours away from typical tourist locations, which helps students understand the culture, lifestyle, and struggles of Ecuadorians,” Johnson said. 

Beyond learning, students make a tangible impact. They planted trees, painted a school, and helped level a neighbor’s yard, creating a mutually beneficial partnership between Illinois faculty, students, and the local residents. 

“The residents of Los Bancos, along with the Nido de Vida team, were incredibly welcoming, and students were encouraged to practice their Spanish to fully immerse themselves in the local culture,” Woodard said.

This year, 12 students, including Ansley Faivre, a freshman in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, participated in the program.  

“Traveling to Ecuador was genuinely one of the best experiences I have had in my life. It was so much fun to build meaningful relationships with my classmates and members of the Ecuadorian communities we visited,” Faivre said.

This experience opened up opportunities for Faivre in the future. “I can confidently say that my decision to study abroad as a freshman has fueled my desire to do so again, likely for a semester in my junior year.”

Learn more about study abroad opportunities 

ACES Study Abroad Director Ali Freter says Faivre is not alone. “Most students who do a First-Year Experience Program go on to study abroad again and may even explore new ways to apply their ACES degrees in their future careers.”

The college makes the program as accessible as possible by offsetting most of the costs and offering scholarships for ACES students.

“We are committed to ensuring every ACES student has the opportunity to engage globally, which is one of the pillars of the ACES undergraduate experience. Study abroad is just one way to do that, and these first-year experience programs are a life-changing way to start!” 
Visit the College of ACES Education Abroad website to learn about more programs available to ACES students.