In the British Isles, students find new routes to pursue agriculture passions

Twenty-six students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences followed their passion for animals and agriculture “across the pond” for two weeks of intense and immersive study. Along the way, they gained broader perspectives on both their career aspirations and personal development.

Not long after landing in London, the students headed out into the English countryside, taking a coach through narrow and winding streets to a family-owned dairy farm. For many of the students, being on the small farm was like being home, but the farms they were used to didn’t look quite like this. Nestled in the shadows of ancient ruins, the little stone farmhouse was set against the backdrop of rolling green hills.

The farmer welcomed the students with certified Stilton cheese made from her cows’ milk. She then led them into the fields, their wellies squelching in the soft mud. The lowing cows inched closer with curiosity as the students heard about reproduction, vaccinations, and more.

The next stop was a little less familiar to the students — a bison farm where the owner recounted his saga of learning to raise the large animals in a country where few were farming them and the political landscape posed several challenges. Meanwhile, the imposing bison silently grazed behind him, taking no notice of the onlookers

These were the first of many farms the students visited. Staying at a new hotel almost every night, they traveled from London to Edinburgh, Scotland, took a ferry over the North Channel to Northern Ireland, then traveled south through Dublin. Over two weeks, they stopped in 18 cities — meeting a myriad of farmers along the way. One farmer outside of Belfast welcomed all 26 students into his kitchen to enjoy freshly made scones. At an Irish sheep farm, a sheepdog named Max demonstrated how one dog can corral more than a hundred sheep following the farmer’s simple commands of “come by” and “away.” 

“I’d barely traveled outside my hometown, so going to the U.K. and Ireland was a big step for me,” rising sophomore Sarah Barclay said. “Being able to connect with different fields of animal science firsthand made everything that much more interesting and memorable. I enjoyed being able to ask questions directly of the farmers, zoo employees, and professors we met and to learn from my peers doing the same.”

New perspectives, new paths to consider

For the students who had never experienced pig, sheep, or cattle farming as well as those who are intimately familiar with such farms, each stop proved to be eye-opening.

By examining the differences between agricultural practices in the U.K. and Ireland and those in the U.S., the students found they were also gaining new perspectives on their future careers and themselves.

When they heard from premier research scientists in behavioral welfare at the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, the lectures unveiled career possibilities. Afterward, several students said they were inspired to pursue master’s degrees abroad and plan to apply to the University of Edinburgh and other schools they visited.

“I honestly hadn't considered doing a master’s degree at all because I had been so focused on vet school, but I’m now open to doing a master’s degree in animal welfare,” said Brandon Duncan, a rising senior. “I was really interested in the subject when I first came to Virginia Tech, but I thought there was a specific path I needed to go for my education and my career. This study abroad has shown me there are many different aspects of animal science I hadn’t known about or considered before. My eyes are open now to options.”

Several students expressed having a similar revelation during a visit to the U.S. Embassy in London. Speaking to an agricultural specialist and diplomat on staff exposed them to career opportunities in agriculture policy that many had never considered. 

“I never thought it would be possible for me to be someone who influenced policies or laws to help protect farmers,” said Zoë Wachsman, a rising junior. “After meeting USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture] staff at the American Embassy, I realized that it is something I can do. It didn’t seem attainable before. Everyone we met had stories like mine, and they were normal people just like me. I now want to pursue a job in public service.”

Scholarships lead to a lifelong impact

Cindy Wood, associate professor in the School of Animal Sciences, has been leading study abroad experiences to the British Isles and to Australia and New Zealand for years.

“Every student should have the opportunity for some kind of international experience before they complete their education,” she said. “In a very compressed timeframe, they gain a deeper understanding of animal sciences, learn about other cultures, and meet people who may become part of their professional network. Students who have participated in these programs always come back with a new perspective. It’s rewarding to see that occur and be a part of it.”

Katie Heiderscheit, assistant professor of practice, recently joined Wood in leading the programs. Because Heiderscheit received her master’s degree from one of the schools the students visited in Scotland, she shared her personal experiences and insights with them.

“Growing up as an underserved, rural student, I thought studying abroad was far out of my reach,” Heiderscheit said. “However, scholarships made that far-fetched dream a reality for me, and the experience changed my entire career trajectory. After college, I chose to pursue my master’s degree in Scotland — something I heard several students say they’re now inspired to explore.”

Scholarships are critical for underserved populations to access the life-changing learning opportunities of study abroad. Nearly 40 percent of the students in this study abroad program are from underserved populations. Several received scholarships to participate. Virginia Tech Advantage and the Global Education Office’s study abroad scholarships help ensure all students, regardless of income, have access to such transformational opportunities.

“For someone who grew up surrounded by cornfields, studying abroad gave me perspective and a wider worldview I could never have imagined,” Heiderscheit said. “I see the same thing happening for these students. I know personally how studying abroad can completely change how you approach professional and personal decisions for the rest of your life. Through study abroad, our students gain experiences that will help them shape the future of our animal science industries.”

Getting up close and personal with pigs and cows may not be a typical experience for the majority of Virginia Tech students studying abroad, but just like every other study abroad program in the Global Education Office’s catalog, the impact of intercultural exchange is enormous.

“Virginia Tech offers over 90 faculty-led programs to countries all over the world,” said program advisor Katherine Burnam. “In the Global Education Office, we hear stories all the time just like Sarah’s, Brandon’s, and Zoë’s. No matter where students go, being immersed in another culture gives them the chance to learn transferable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. On top of that, they get to see another country’s approach to problems they’re studying in their classes. The result is often a new perspective for their future career.”

In 2025, Wood and Heiderscheit will run a similar study abroad program in New Zealand and Australia. Their program to the British Isles will be held again in 2026.