Spring Break … While many Penn State undergraduates took advantage of the week for some serious R&R, several of our actives traveled the country and the world to combine learning with a little fun. Click below to read more.
Michelle Hartzell, Sara Kitchen, Chad Horst and Mike Rush, Utah and Las Vegas
Q. Where did you go?
We spent one night in Las Vegas and then traveled to Utah for the remainder of the trip.
Q. Why were you there?
We went with the Penn State Dairy Science Club. We toured several dairy farms, including Canyon Breeze Holsteins, Cedar Ridge Jerseys and Bateman Dairy. The farms ranged from commercial herds milking 7,000 cows to smaller herds that put a lot of focus on genetics and their success in the show ring. We also experienced many different facilities and management styles that thrive in the area. Dairying is much different in Utah because of the land availability and climate, and the trip gave us a new outlook on opportunities in the industry.
In addition to the dairy farm tours, we also hiked several state and national parks, including Valley of Fire, Bryce Canyon and Zion. We took a three-hour horseback ride through Zion and very much enjoyed the cacti, mule deer and the beautiful mountains throughout the park.
Q. What made it awesome?
The opportunity to experience the different ways they dairy out west was eye opening. It was a relaxed environment, different from a traditional classroom, and we were able to ask questions and learn first hand. Spending the week with friends who share a similar passion and interest made the trip exciting and brought everyone together for great conversations.
—Information provided by Sara Kitchen
PHOTO: Sara Kitchen enjoyed the hiking opportunities in Utah.
Jillian Gordon and Colt Hoffman, Tennessee
Q. Where did you go?
Nashville, Tennessee
Q. Why were you there?
We had always heard that there was a ton of things to do in Nashville. Additionally, we wanted to go somewhere since it is Colt’s senior year and my last chance to have a spring break due to student teaching. Mostly importantly, my 22nd birthday fell on spring break, so of course I had to do something fun.
Q. What made it awesome?
The people! Everyone was so nice and friendly. There was live music EVERYWHERE. And of course, being away from reality for a bit was wonderful.
—Information provided by Jillian Gordon
PHOTO: Colt Hoffman (in red hat) and Jillian Gordon (far right) enjoy Nashville with friends.
Rebecca Shaw, Costa Rica
Q. Where did you go?
Earth University in Limon and the beaches at Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica.
Q. Why were you there?
I traveled with my ERM 499 class (I went in order to graduate with an International Ag minor).
Q. What made it awesome?
Being with a new group of people who all had different views and opinions of agriculture both in PA and Costa Rica. It was a really cool way to learn and make some great friends.
—Information provided by Rebecca Shaw
PHOTO: Rebecca Shaw snaps a selfie while learning in Costa Rica.
Taylor Young, Germany
Q. Where did you go?
We were in Berlin for a day and a half and then we were based out of Vechta in Northwest Germany. We toured nearby local agriculture such as farms, processing plants, Big Dutchman International and Lohmann Animal Health.
Q. Why were you there?
I went with a class An Sc 499A (German Poultry Industry Study Tour).
Q. What made it awesome?
I was very impressed by the structure of their poultry houses. They are built to be more aesthetically pleasing and to last a long time. I have seen a lot of chicken houses in Pennsylvania, and I never thought of any of them as pretty. The houses in Germany were definitely pretty.
My two favorite visits were Lohmann Animal Health and Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp. Obviously, Lohmann was on a scientific level, while Bergen-Belsen put together a part of history you can never begin to understand until you see it personally.
This trip has shown me the differences in animal production in Germany as well as the wide variety of international possibilities for my future career as a veterinarian.
—Information provided by Taylor Young
PHOTO: Taylor Young captured this photo of her classmates touring a German poultry operation.