2025 Taste of Europe: Vienna to Venice
Professor Todd Kuethe, Schrader Chair in Agricultural Economics, and Andy Oppy, Associate Director of Academic Advising, spent May 2025 traveling with 25 Boilermakers to Austria, Italy and Slovenia as part of the “Taste of Europe: Vienna to Venice” study abroad program! Students were able to experience the stunning Alpine mountains and the Adriatic Sea, tour a winery in Italy, take a pastry-making class in Austria, visit a Medieval fortress and ride a railway through a cave.
Blake Buchanan (Senior, Agricultural Economics; Fowler, IN) shared, “Studying abroad was never really something I thought I would do at Purdue. It is super easy to get intimidated by the long flight, time change, etc. However, you never truly know until you experience it. One cool experience we had was checking out the University of Vienna. We were able to experience what their college social life looked like and talk with some students. Studying abroad has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and see some pretty incredible places. That doesn’t even include the incredible friendships made on these trips! I am very glad and thankful that I was able to study abroad while being here at Purdue.”
Mylie Rexing (Junior, Agribusiness; Fort Branch, IN) stated, “Studying abroad in Austria, Slovenia and Italy was an incredible experience that changed the way I see the world. The stunning landscapes stuck with me, but what really stood out was learning about each country’s agricultural traditions. From Italy’s beautiful vineyards to Slovenia’s innovative farming, I gained a deeper appreciation for how culture and tradition shape daily life. I hope to explore the world through another study abroad experience in the future.”
Logan Bauman (Senior, Agribusiness; Geneva, IN) added, “Coming into college, I had little to no intention of studying abroad. I decided to take a leap of faith and do it, and I am so glad I did. Slovenia was by far my favorite destination; it was breathtaking every way you looked. We toured a family-owned bee and honey operation, where we had the opportunity to taste honey, pollen, honey wine and honey cookies. Next, we went on a hike around a beautiful lake and mountains, followed by my favorite adventure: a tour of a small dairy farm. We got to sample the family cheese, walk and see the cows on the beautiful mountainside. After the farm, we left for Lake Bled, which was extremely pretty. We visited a castle overlooking the lake, and then we were able to explore an island located in the middle of the famous lake. We then had an amazing lunch at an open-air restaurant with a view of the lake. After lunch, we rode the mountain coaster, which was a rush to say the least!”
Abby Jordan (Sophomore, Agricultural Economics; Peru, IN) summed up the experience, “I had so much fun going to Europe for the first time with the Ag Econ Department! We learned about agriculture in Austria, Slovenia and Italy by touring a honey farm, a small dairy farm and a winery. It was exciting to see so many beautiful places and experience new cultures by interacting with locals!”