Honoring the Leadership Behind 40+ International Study Abroad Trips: A Legacy of Global Learning
As Dr. Ebby Luvaga prepares to lead her 41st International Study Abroad trip to Panama during winter break of 2026, she reflects on the incredible journey that began back in 1998. What started as a small initiative to promote the benefits of global learning has since blossomed into a tradition that has shaped the lives of hundreds of students over the years. While other faculty take a break to rejuvenate during their spring, Thanksgiving, winter, and sometimes summer breaks, Luvaga is often on the road, heading somewhere with 16-26 Iowa State University (ISU) students from all majors.
It all started in 1998 when the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) sponsored a faculty development trip to Mexico with the goal of promoting the benefits of exposing faculty to global programs. Luvaga recalls that this trip "opened my eyes to the power of international education, seeing firsthand the life-changing impact that cultural immersion could have on students." As a native of Kenya who came to the U.S. in the early 1980s as an international student, Luvaga never envisioned leading the majority of the CALS (and maybe ISU) Study Abroad short trips for students. However, the experiences, connections, and impact of immersing oneself in a different culture were so evident that she knew she had to be a part of offering that to ISU students.
In the years that followed, Luvaga and her colleague, Dr. Sergio Lence, set out to identify the study abroad destinations most desired by students. They conducted a survey to gauge interest, and the results were clear: Argentina, Australia, and Spain emerged as the top choices. This insight laid the groundwork for what would become a long-standing tradition of international spring break study abroad trips. Each spring break trip spans 10–12 days and is preceded by a series of pre-trip seminars, where students research and present on the destination country. The inaugural trip to Argentina took place in 1999 and was generously subsidized by Cargill to ensure affordability for students. “These transformative journeys expand students’ perspectives, build lifelong friendships, and allow them to experience the world in ways they never thought possible,” says Luvaga.
The programs in Argentina, Australia, Spain, and Panama are offered as ECON 4960: International Travel Course, with a focus on production agriculture, economics, trade, business, and culture. “Our programs are open to all students in any major at ISU,” she adds.
Luvaga’s spring break trips, as well as those to Belize, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Rome, have enabled more than 800 students to explore the world in ways that broaden their perspectives, deepen cultural awareness, and shape their futures. Many former participants have leveraged these experiences to secure full-time international positions in countries such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, gaining a competitive edge in the global job market. “Employers increasingly seek candidates with international experience, and our students stand out with their intercultural competence, leadership skills, and global perspectives,” Luvaga notes.
Study abroad experiences have also empowered students to return with a broader worldview, a deeper understanding of global issues, and a stronger appreciation for international collaboration. As coordinator of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ International Agriculture secondary major, Luvaga emphasizes that these programs fulfill a key requirement for this increasingly popular major. “Global experiences enhance students’ understanding of economics, business, and agriculture across diverse international contexts,” she explains. “From the vast Pampas of Argentina all the way to the vineyards and aqueducts of Spain, as well as the agricultural innovations of the United Arab Emirates, and the Mayan ruins of Belize —students consistently discover something new or encounter moments that ignite their curiosity.” The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily interrupted this long-standing tradition and a streak of twenty consecutive spring break abroad trips. While it was a challenging time, it also strengthened Luvaga’s resolve to continue offering these valuable experiences once the world was ready to open again.
As Luvaga prepares for her 41st international study abroad trip, she is filled with gratitude, excitement, and pride. The experiences from past trips continue to inspire new generations of students to broaden their horizons and embrace global learning. Looking ahead, she eagerly anticipates continuing this journey with the next group of global learners—and perhaps eventually reaching the milestone of 50 trips! “The impact these trips have had on students’ lives is immeasurable, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for these programs,” she reflects.
Not everything goes smoothly on these trips, and that’s part of what makes them so memorable. Some of Luvaga’s most vivid stories range from the mundane to the extraordinary: watching first-time travelers board a 14+ hour flight to Australia or navigating unexpected challenges like “a chartered bus getting stuck in a culvert in Panama and being pulled out by a truck delivering soda!”
She fondly recalls visits to the Embera Indigenous community along the Chagres River in Panama, where students shared traditional meals wrapped in banana leaves and joined in cultural dances. “Visiting the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, are still some of the most awe-inspiring moments,” she says. Other unforgettable highlights include touring the Sydney Opera House, walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and marveling at Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina. “Who wouldn’t be jealous of attending a soccer match at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid or cheering on Boca Juniors in La Boca, Buenos Aires, with students?” she adds with a smile.
Luvaga is especially excited for 2026, when La Sagrada Família in Barcelona is expected to be completed, 100 years after the death of its visionary architect, Antoni Gaudí. Under construction since 1882, this iconic church will become the tallest church in the world. Having first seen it in the summer of 2003, Luvaga has followed its progress closely and looks forward to her 8th visit with students to Barcelona in 2027. “Such unforgettable structures and moments aren’t just reserved for students,” she says. Another most cherished tradition is visiting Dr. Lence’s childhood home and farm in Carlos Casares, Argentina, where students enjoy an asado under the evening stars after a long day of farm and industry visits in the area—an experience that consistently ranks among their favorites.
Of course, not all memories are pleasant. Luvaga recalls her least favorite experience: chasing an ambulance on the Pan-American Highway in Panama in a chartered bus, rushing a student to the hospital, or ending up in the emergency room herself in the UAE! Yet even these moments underscore the depth of her commitment to her students’ safety and well-being. Nonetheless, what brings Luvaga the greatest joy and pride, however, is seeing former students go on to live and work abroad. “I’m glad and honored to have given them that first push to step outside their comfort zones and see the world.”
Luvaga extends her heartfelt thanks to the many students, faculty, and staff who have been part of this incredible journey. “Together, we have built a legacy of global learning and global learners, one that I hope will continue to inspire and shape lives for years to come,” she says.
