With passports in hand and suitcases in tow, two groups of students from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences boarded planes to study abroad during Iowa State University’s fall break. The faculty-led program to the United Arab Emirates provided students opportunities to witness international agriculture and develop a global perspective of the industry.
The group of students departed to Dubai on Nov. 18. This program was led by Ebby Luvaga and Amani Elobeid, teaching professors in economics, and Jean-Pierre Taoutel, associate professor in world languages and cultures.
The United Arab Emirates has the second-largest economy in the Arab world, which readily attracts foreign investment. The goals of this trip were to introduce students to banking and financial institutions in the country and for them to understand how business and trade are impacted by cultural diversity.
Two locations students visited that captured aspects of cultural diversity were the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Falcon Hospital in the capital city of Abu Dhabi. Brooke Beinhart, senior in agricultural business, said these tours were two of her favorite parts of the trip, and was especially amazed by the architecture of the mosque.
“The Grand Mosque left me absolutely breathless,” Beinhart said. “Every single aspect was built with so much detail that brought so much beauty to the structure.”
The following day, the group made their way to the 2020 Dubai Expo, which was postponed from last year due to COVID-19. Beinhart said this event lasts six months, from Oct. 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022. A total of 192 countries take part in it to showcase their commitment to better mobility, more opportunities, and focus on sustainability for the future.