Graduating student international ambassador, Akela Martin, reflects on her global experiences as an undergraduate student
By Brooke Adams
This week, we have two student international ambassadors graduating from the Herbert College of Agriculture. As ambassadors, they have the opportunity to share their memories about study abroad with interested students and encourage them to participate in global experiences. As they prepare to close this chapter of their life, they reflect on the global involvement they have had during their time at the University of Tennessee. Find out more about student experiences through our #StudyAbroadStories series!
Akela Martin is a senior in the Herbert College of Agriculture majoring in environmental and soil science with a concentration in conservation agriculture. She has minors in international agriculture and natural resources, agriculture and natural resource communications, and watershed. Akela is involved in many student organizations on campus including the student international ambassadors, the Tennessee Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, and Sigma Alpha.
Akela participated in a faculty-led study abroad program called UTK Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Challenges in Guatemala over spring break in 2022. Over the course of her time in Guatemala, she had the unique opportunity to visit various farms and businesses, immerse herself into a different culture, and make memories that will last forever. “My favorite part of the entire program was hiking the volcano.” Martin said. “That will probably be the coolest thing I ever get to do.”
“It is one thing to learn about things in the classroom, but actually being in that environment and experiencing it is a much more effective and impactful way to learn,” Martin explains. Experiential learning opportunities like these study abroad programs offer students the chance to immerse themselves in another culture, while also learning about the challenges facing the global agriculture industry.
Akela plans to move back to her hometown and take over her family’s row crop farm, while also implementing some of the agricultural techniques she has learned during her time in Herbert College. Studying abroad allowed her to expand on what she’s already learned about agriculture, and changed her outlook on how her farm in Tennessee relates to what she saw abroad. “I always knew the agriculture industry was big, but seeing a different sector of the industry was very impactful for me,” Martin said. Experiences like this have allowed her to consider using different techniques and technology on her family’s farm, and have prepared her for moving on to a career in agriculture.
“If you ever want to travel internationally, college is the time to do it because you gain so much from it,” Martin said, when asked what advice she would give to an incoming freshman. “Not only are you traveling to another country, but you are learning and gaining credits for the experience. If you have the opportunity to travel abroad, definitely do it!”
It is so important for students to have access to global experiences because they can impact not just their professional goals, but also their outlook on life overall. Akela believes that global encounters like this are vital for students to have access to in order for them to break out of their comfort zone, experience new cultures, and even build their resume. She also knows other UT students who have furthered their global interactions by interning in the same place they studied abroad, allowing for an even more immersive time abroad.
“Studying abroad through the Smith Center is great because there are a variety of programs and scholarships,” Martin said. As a student international ambassador, Akela has encouraged others to #GrowGlobal by studying abroad through the Smith Center. We are sad to see her graduate, but are fortunate to have had her as an asset to the team. We wish her luck in her future endeavors and look forward to seeing where her future takes her!
If you are interested in helping us expand global engagement at the Institute, we will be recruiting new student international ambassadors at the beginning of each semester! Starting in June, stop by our new office in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Building suite 213 to learn about all the resources available to students, and find out how you can #GrowGlobal at UTIA!