Originally, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do a study abroad trip, but I had never been anywhere besides the United States and Europe, so I decided to give it a try. Throughout the second eight weeks of the semester, I participated in a class to prepare for the trip. During the class we learned a little bit about agriculture in Panama, as well as some of the history and culture of the country. 

I have had the opportunity to study abroad twice, both in Spanish-speaking countries. I really enjoy learning and practicing Spanish, so I chose these programs on purpose.

The first program I participated in was faculty led over winter break to Costa Rica. I chose to visit Costa Rica because I was interested in learning about tropical agriculture. On this trip, we toured many different types of farms including coffee, chocolate, pejibaye, honey bees, and buffalo. Costa Rica was beautiful and the people were incredible. I am so glad I had the opportunity visit.

For K.C. Ting, former head of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE), working in higher education has always been about finding small ways to give back to an educational system that he says “prepared him for life.” During his time at Illinois and now at Zhejiang University in China, Ting focused on connecting students to opportunities that provide a holistic educational experience, preparing them for success in both their professional and personal lives.

I really enjoyed Professor Stoddard’s presentation in ACES 399 recently. He offered a very optimistic outlook on the future of our environment and how economic trends are predicted to improve over time, eventually resulting in sufficient and sustainable agricultural production capable of feeding our growing population.

Craig Lemoine, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, and director of the Financial Planning Program at University of Illinois, recently shared this letter of advice and encouragement with his students during this challenging time. Lemoine teaches ACE 240, a class on personal finance.

Wonderful Students,

There are countless projects to work on, professors to meet, and experiences to gain within the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Illinois. In speaking with just one professor, Dr. Barbara Fiese, one can learn about countless different projects. Here is a short synopsis of two projects she is involved with. One current project is the STRONG kids program. 

Childhood obesity is something that is discussed very frequently. Whether it is about the rise of childhood obesity, how to prevent it, or even what causes it, the topic has been trending for years. In a time of increasing childhood obesity rates, a lot of research is being conducted to learn more about it. Recently,  during my ACES 399 seminar, Dr. Brent A. McBride, Director of the Child Development Laboratory and professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, gave an in-depth analysis on a study he completed with an interesting scope. 

Amidst of what would be one of the busiest times of the school year, Alma Mater looks out over the University of Illinois campus with arms wide-open, but no students in sight. Throughout the chaos of the current COVID-19 pandemic, students across the country are quickly adjusting to a different lifestyle: online schooling. No longer do students walk across the busy Main Quad to attend lecture in Foellinger Auditorium or to spend time studying in Grainger. Now attending online lectures, students are communicating with classmates through technologies like Zoom and FaceTime.

Recently, during my ACES 399 seminar, Dr. Sarah Refi Hind, assistant professor in the Department of Crop Sciences, discussed the topic of crop genetic improvement. Dr. Hind examines how the plant immune system detects pathogenic bacteria that cause disease on tomato and other vegetable crops. Her research contributes to the understanding of plant-microbe interactions and aids in the development of plants with enhanced resistance to infection.

For the entire campus community, the unprecedented and rapid rise of a global COVID-19 outbreak required sweeping adjustments and instantaneous shifts to a new normal. In this time of challenge, uncertainty, and unpredictability, students who were studying abroad over the spring 2020 semester have to display resilience and adaptability on multiple levels.