Study abroad group posing in front of a large house in Italy

From a First Year at Purdue to a European Immersion

Audrey DeVries (Sophomore; Agribusiness; Demotte, IN) celebrated the end of her first year at Purdue in Europe! She traveled with Dr. Stacy Zuelly, ANSC clinical associate professor; Claire Adams-Weaver, ANSC academic advisor; and 24 Boilermakers on the “Heartland to Heartland: Agriculture in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands” study abroad program.

Group of women standing on a stone street in the city at sunset

The 12-day program ran May 19-30 and included visits to Belgian draft horse farms, dairy operations, the Netherlands Plant Eco-Phenotyping Center, the Arnhem WWII Battlefield and CLAAS Technoparc. Students enjoyed chocolate-making workshops, vineyard tastings and a tour of the Aalsmeer Flower Auction. They explored Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam.

Three women standing in aprons in front of a chocolate pot Devries holding a handful of strawberries in a greenhouse

Devries shared, “My experience reached way beyond what I could have imagined when I signed up for this program. I was deeply immersed in a new culture and, through that, was able to explore the agriculture of the area. The most memorable experience I had while in Europe was visiting an organic dairy farm in the Netherlands. We had the pleasure of meeting the farmers, and they kindly welcomed us. The owners were very passionate about why they run their dairy farm a certain way, and it was inspiring.”

Part of the study abroad group sitting in a restaurant with heart-shaped pizzas

She summarized her experience with these thoughts: “Overall, going to Europe turned out to be a wonderful trip, and I am so happy I took the leap and jumped in. I would recommend a trip like this to everyone. Being able to experience agriculture outside of your normal perspective is so rewarding.”

Pasture full of horses eating grass Cows from the organic dairy farm standing in a field