Lainey Brandt

Overall Experience

My experience in Brazil was incredibly eye-opening and meaningful. Being able to learn about the pork, poultry, and protein industries firsthand while experiencing a completely different culture helped me grow both personally and professionally. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone and gave me a greater appreciation for global agriculture and the people involved in it.

Learning experience

One of the most valuable learning experiences was visiting production facilities and farms in Brazil and comparing them to systems in the United States. I learned that although production practices may look different, producers everywhere share many of the same goals of efficiency, animal care, and sustainability. It helped me better understand the challenges and opportunities agriculture faces on a global scale.

Memorable experience

One of the most memorable parts of the trip was building relationships with the people around me while experiencing a new country together. Whether we were touring farms, trying new foods, or exploring different cities, every day brought new experiences and memories that I will never forget. The cultural experiences outside of agriculture made the trip even more meaningful.

What did you not expect?

Something that surprised me was how welcoming and passionate the people in Brazil were about agriculture, even though many of their practices and lifestyles were different from what I am used to. It reminded me how important it is to keep an open mind and be willing to learn from others. In the future, I want to approach both teaching and life with a broader perspective and a greater appreciation for different experiences and viewpoints.

What advice would you give?

I would encourage other students to take the opportunity, even if it feels intimidating at first. Studying abroad allows you to grow in ways that are hard to experience in a classroom alone, and it gives you a new perspective on both the world and yourself. Some of my favorite memories and biggest lessons came from stepping outside of my comfort zone.

How has this experience impacted your life?

This experience helped me realize how connected agriculture is around the world and how important it is to understand different production systems and perspectives. It strengthened my passion for building connections in rural settings. Personally, it also helped me become more independent and confident in unfamiliar situations.

How did you learn about this experience?

I learned about this opportunity through some of my peers who attended the trip last year!

International Connections