NNF fellows reflect on the impactful experiences they had during a recent study abroad in SE Asia
By Brooke Adams
In partnership with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) and the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications (ALEC), the Smith Center has been involved in a new graduate fellowship program that focuses on international trade and development. This fellowship is funded by the National Needs Fellows Program (NNF), an initiative from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and began in August 2023. Graduates will earn a master’s degree in either Agricultural and Resources Economics or Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. While these students complete their graduate program of study, they will engage with a core of classes on international trade and development and participate in a global experience together as a cohort. As a part of the fellowship, these graduate students participated in a study abroad experience to Southeast Asia to enhance the skills they have acquired throughout their time in the fellowship. Find out more about this experience directly from these NNF fellows throughout this #StudyAbroadStories series!
Makenzie Smith is a graduate student at the Herbert College of Agriculture studying agricultural leadership, education and communications. Having never been abroad, Makenzie was looking forward to experiencing new cultures and gaining new perspectives from those that she had the opportunity to interact with. She was most excited about touring different agricultural production operations. Growing up on her family’s farm motivated her to learn more about different commodities from those she has been around most of her life.
Our last day in Vietnam was a really memorable experience. We were able to visit one of the most beautiful places in Southeast Asia, the Mekong Delta. This experience had multiple highlights, including a honey tasting, scenic boat rides, endless fresh fruit, and a lunch complete with the optional hammock nap. We also had the opportunity to take in the natural ecosystem and interact with some of the wildlife in its natural habitat.
This last day on the Mekong Delta was the best way we could have had to end our study abroad program. Not only was it nice to take in some more relaxing cultural activities, but it was even better to enjoy each other’s company and process all that we’d learned and experienced together. Our trip ended with a quick tour of some temples that added to the tranquility and knowledge gained from our time there. This final day in Vietnam helped to solidify my views on what the country has to offer as a nation, outside of the skyscraper setting that can be found in Ho Chi Minh City. The experiences of this day will follow each of us for many years to come and serve as a reminder of the true meaning of this global opportunity.