This summer our department sponsored a study abroad trip to Mumena, Zambia. The class offered was AENV 440, International Applications in Agricultural and Environmental Studies, and it focused on methods of sustainability in Zambia. The members of our department that went were Dr. Nicodemus, Jason Davis, Merissa Ford, senior Agribusiness major, Kim Panther, sophomore Animal Science major, and Dayna Roe, junior Environmental Science major.
Some of the highlights of the trip included visiting Victoria Falls and going on a safari, getting to stay in the local village and singing and dancing around a campfire with the locals. I even heard that Dr. Nicodemus is quite the dancer!
The trip was full of incredible learning experiences such as seeing the poverty of a developing nation first hand, learning how to slaughter and properly butcher a hog and hands on experience preparing a field and planting corn in Zambia. These priceless experiences can’t be gained inside the classroom.
The trip also focused on missions. They visited different missionaries in different villages and discussed how missions are supposed to work. Much of the knowledge gained on this trip is directly applicable to the mission field.
The program will hopefully be offered again soon. The cost is around $2,500-$3,000 and scholarships may be available. Also, closer to the trip you will get more information about fundraising. All of the participants had an unforgettable experience and encourage you look into it. Some students even said it was the best experience of their college career.