At the Castle of Scotland!

Author: Colin Keady | Majors: Agricultural Leadership, Political Science | Semester: Summer 2023

My name is Colin Keady and I am a Bumpers student studying Agricultural Leadership and Political Science. I had the pleasure of studying abroad in the United Kingdom this May intersession through the U of A Faculty-Led: Agricultural and Environmental Communications Study Tour of England and Scotland.

I selected this program to build upon the knowledge I was gaining in the classroom. I wanted to take these theories and concepts and work to apply them in the real world. I decided to pick up an agricultural communications minor at the beginning of my senior year, as I have always been fascinated by how communication occurs in the agricultural industry. My studies introduced me to how this communication occurs in our society, but I wondered how this communication differed in other cultures. I intended to participate in this trip last year, however the Covid-19 epidemic forced me to withhold the experience for another year. I could not imagine my final class as a UARK student being anything else than a study abroad experience with some of my closest friends. While I was initially upset I could not attend my Junior year, the adoption of my minor made this trip so much more worthwhile. During our experience, we would take time to reflect and write blogs – creating deep reflection and interpretation of how impactful the experience was. While we were still learning and working, at times everyone forgot we were still learning. I hope to take these experiences into my future studies and career. As an MBA student here at the University of Arkansas, I now understand the importance of viewing issues from differing perspectives. On our trip, we would learn about a rule or statue that would never work in the United States – but it made great sense for the UK. I will remember through my studies that just because an issue has a domestic solution, that doesn’t mean I can view the international perspective through the same lens.

During the trip we were able to eat ample amounts of food multiple times a day. Frankly, the best food I had was non-British food. I did not take fondly to the Steak and Ale pies and their various foods that lacked my expected seasoning. However, I did enjoy the meat quality in the UK. Anywhere we went, their steak quality was spectacular. I also enjoyed getting to see and explore all of the sights, and I especially enjoyed walking around Edinburgh, Scotland in the mornings. Mainly, I just enjoyed getting to have the experience with all of my new friends. Even if we were just sitting around visiting, it made the trip so much more worthwhile to have done it with such great people.

I would highly recommend any student study abroad. I cannot articulate how impactful it was to explore a new county, even in an academic setting. I would not trade the experience for the world, and I have made memories and connections that will last for a lifetime.