Meet Kelly Anna Lucas, a junior majoring in Animal Sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. Kelly Anna studied abroad in Australia at the University of Sydney during the fall semester of this year and loved it so much that she decided to stay for the spring semester.

Traveling to Australia is something Kelly Anna has wanted to do since childhood. Now, she's done that, studied the culture, and lived there for two semesters.

Imagine you are walking in a big city with a lot of people. There’s cars honking, people yelling, trash all over the streets, construction sites, and your Google Maps just took you in the wrong direction. You would probably be stressed out, right? Now think of this scenario from cattle or pigs’ perspectives when they are being transported to different locations, or corralled. There’s chains hanging from the gates, shadows, workers yelling and poking you, you may be trying to walk on a slick floor, and you don’t know where you are going, or why.

Meet Ashley Equihua, a junior studying Nutrition and Health in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). Ashley is a veteran of study abroad programs, having participated in three short-term programs during her time in the College of ACES. With visits to Panama, South Africa, and Italy, she continues to expand her cultural knowledge and broaden her understanding of diverse parts of the world.

Since we were young, my sister and I have embraced our differences, but found joy and passion in similar things. 

I am a first-year student just beginning my journey in Agricultural Communications at Illinois, while my older sister, Jamie Abbott, is wrapping up her senior year in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Despite our unique academic pursuits, our shared passion for agriculture stemmed from the same experiences, rooted in our family farm in small town Orion, Illinois. 

Preparing for a study abroad trip involves making many decisions throughout the process. Sorting everything out will take considerable time, thought, and effort, and it might push you out of your comfort zone.

Animal Science student Avery Bennett, who has completed three study abroad programs on three continents, is no stranger to this process. Studying in Tanzania, New Zealand, and South Korea, Avery gained experiences and opportunities invaluable to her study-abroad goals, career aspirations, and personal development.