Two American exchange students have called Co. Antrim home for the past three months, spending their “fall semester” studying agriculture and horticulture modules at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)’ Greenmount Campus.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) of Northern Ireland, Claire Gowell and Samantha Van Dort, arrived in Ireland for the first time in September 2024, to embark on a study exchange programme with CAFRE.
Hailing from Michigan State University (MSU), a university comprising over 51,000 students, the two Americans experienced a “remarkably” different form of student life at CAFRE, which is considerably smaller in scale, with just 1,800 of students in attendance across its three locations.
Reflecting on their time at CAFRE, Gowell said: “Applying for the study abroad programme at CAFRE has offered so many new opportunities.
“I have got to experience a new culture; traditions in Ireland are different from home. We have met so many lovely people during our stay, and everyone has been so friendly.”
While Van Dort added: “I feel I have experienced personal growth during the twelve weeks I have spent at CAFRE. I have moved out of my comfort zone, adapting to a new way of life here, leaving family and friends behind me.”
During their semester at CAFRE, the students enrolled on modules delivered as part of Ulster University BSc (Hons) Degree courses in Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture.
These modules included: Enterprise Studies, Farm Financial Management, Sustainable Ruminant Production Systems, Horticulture Principles and Practice and Edible Crop Production.
Exchange students
Remarking on the perceived academic differences between the US and Northern Ireland, Gowell said:
“Lectures at CAFRE are different to those at home. Class sizes here allow lots of interaction with staff and it’s interesting to experience different teaching styles.
“My understanding of both agriculture and horticulture has been enriched with the practical facilities available at Greenmount Campus.”
The two girls also availed of the opportunity to travel extensively around Ireland and further afield.
“It hasn’t been all study and skills development for us during our time in Northern Ireland. We have had the opportunity to travel extensively around the island.
“Living so centrally at Antrim proved a gateway for us to explore further destinations. We even travelled to London, Paris, and Scotland to enjoy the inter-semester break,” Van Dort added.
Both young women were of the unanimous opinion that their time in Northern Ireland was well spent, and that the positive experiences gained during their time away from home will stand to them in their professional endeavours to come.
The study exchange programme between CAFRE and MSU not only offers its participants a rewarding educational experience, it also provides networking opportunities for both future career and personal relationships.
“We embraced the chance to complete an international study experience. We have demonstrated our ability to adapt to new environments and different cultures.
“These skills are highly transferable into the world of work, to both local and global businesses,” Gowell said.
CAFRE has said that they will host another exchange student from MSU in the spring term and vice versa, with Irish students set to venture stateside to get a taster of the American college experience in 2025 too.
