Student Impact Reports

This experience spending three and a half months in a new country was easily the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

This was one of the best experiences of my life.

"I not only learned about the Irish culture but why and how people use the land. The journey helped me realize more about my own personal beliefs and values and the need to ask more questions about why we do what we do."

“If life presents an amazing, unique opportunity to you, do it without fear.”

“What made this trip so perfect for myself was the fact that, as a new world traveler, taking a trip to a land which shares such a great deal of similarities with our own, made the transition far easier.”

No matter where you go people are very similar, they all enjoy food, music and good company...

Overseas travel was a daunting process for an inexperienced traveler like me, but as part of the HORT 499H class, the journey was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life!

This experience was the perfect combination of challenge and fun and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a study abroad experience.

There are no words to describe what I gained in my trip to Ireland and Scotland that I will carry with me for the rest of my career.

Ireland felt like such a magical place, yet when I looked around I felt right at home as if in Pennsylvania. If ever you have the chance to travel abroad, do it. As a student, you will grow exponentially on an adventure like this. Networking around the world and getting to know your Penn State faculty leaders outside of the classroom is a wonderful opportunity that not everyone gets.

Castles, Cliffs and all that Ireland had to offer me!

Stepping foot on the Old Course at St Andrews was an awe inspiring moment. This was not only the birthplace of golf but also of my future career.

When I heard that there was a class that would allow me to travel and experience a different culture while simultaneously expanding my knowledge of agriculture, I knew that the opportunity was too good to pass up.

Never be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone, it could be one of the greatest things you could ever do for yourself.

With every new day and every new experience I discovered that not only could I do things on my own, but that life demanded that I do.

“May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields” - An Old Irish Blessing

Ireland was a trip of a lifetime and I will never forget this experience or the people I became friends with!

To this day I will say, nine days was just not enough.

As well as the desire to learn more about my roots, Ireland gave me the realization that no matter how big the world is, no matter how far apart people are, no matter how different the culture is, there are always those similarities that people share and can relate to each other with.

It’s one thing to go to class with great people at a great University, but experiencing a country like Ireland with them is so much better.

Although I love Penn State, my semester in Galway, Ireland may be the best couple of months that I’ve had during my college experience.

It fascinates and delights me that you can travel over 3000 mile across an entire ocean and still be able to connect with someone of a different culture and upbringing on a personal level...

Growing up I always heard people talk about Ireland and how beautiful it is and that if I ever got a chance to travel there I should take it. In the Spring semester of 2011 that opportunity had presented itself...

I had a wonderful time, and gained knowledge and experiences I never could have learned from a textbook. Clearly, the best way to learn is by doing.