Major: Agricultural Business, International Agriculture
Experiences Abroad: Netherlands, Spain, United Arab Emirates, England, and Argentina
Celeste Swanson is a senior from Galt, Iowa, Being from a small town with limited international opportunities, Celeste was appreciative of the chance during her junior year of high school to travel to Switzerland, Italy, and France, where she realized that there is much more to the world and gained a love for traveling internationally.
When starting at Iowa State, Celeste wanted to continue experiencing the world and growing personally, so she applied for a study abroad program as a freshman and was accepted. Celeste said, “If I didn’t step out of my comfort zone and apply for a program my freshman year, then I am not sure I would have studied abroad in college, and as a result my four years of college wouldn’t have been as exciting and I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. Every student should have these experiences to grow as a person and a leader."
Studying abroad has made Celeste a more confident person with a new appreciation for other cultures, mindsets and leadership styles. Celeste also mentioned that her international experiences have given her an edge up when interviewing and applying for internships as she can talk with employers on a higher level with more creditability.
As you can imagine, Celeste is an advocate for studying abroad whether it is talking with friends and classmates about different programs or promoting the CALS Study Abroad Office as a Student Travel Consultant. Celeste would encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and apply for a program. After graduation, Celeste will be working full-time with John Deere and hopes to make a larger impact in international agriculture, working towards the common goal of feeding the world.
“Study abroad has made my college experience more exciting and has given me the skills for a successful future!”