International Agriculture Certificate

The International Agriculture Certificate provides students, both undergraduate and graduate, with the opportunity to expand their global horizons with this 23 credit hour program that includes foreign language, international agriculture, and internationally oriented courses. The certificate program culminates in an international internship which aligns with the student's academic and career goals. Read on to learn about Autumn's, Pablo's, and Abigail's adventures (or plans of adventure) abroad and why they are pursuing the certificate.

Autumn Starbird - Vienna, Austria

What made you choose Austria?

To be honest, Austria was never on my radar. I hardly knew anything about it, but it just ended up being the school that had classes that aligned with my major the best.

What experience/class has been the most impactful so far?

The most impactful part is just being in a foreign country with no one you know. It really pushed me to be more independent and confident in myself. I also explored more than I would have at home, and I was able to make some really good friends

What are your current career plans after UGA?

I am graduating this year, and I am planning on working towards getting a master's degree and working in corporate sustainability.

Pablo Guerrico-Hatch - Ecuador

What made you choose to participate in the International Ag Certificate?

The International Ag Certificate was brought to my attention by my Mom funnily enough. She’s always had a strong want for me to travel abroad and she found the certificate program and sent it over to me. I thought it was amazing so I was all over it when I had the chance! I was very intimidated at first because I had never been out of the country for that long before, so it took some convincing to apply, but when I heard about the possible opportunities, I couldn’t turn them down. The chance for me to go and spend a summer in Ecuador was and still is mind-blowing for me.

What made you choose Ecuador and what will you be doing there?

I chose Ecuador for a couple of reasons. Some of my biggest goals with traveling for the International Ag Certificate were to gain international business experience through an internship, travel outside the country, and practice my Spanish in an environment where I’d be forced to speak it only. Ecuador fit all of these criteria and more, since my family has deep ties to Ecuador with my Mother being from Quito, with many family friends living there. It would be an amazing opportunity to learn more about my own heritage and meet some of the people who shaped my upbringing through my mom.

I will be working with a company called MuchFlowers, who have graciously invited me to work with them. I will try to do as much as I possibly can with them, from working on the business side to getting my hands dirty on the farms themselves. I want to learn about the logistics of running a worldwide floral distribution company and learn about international trade and marketing strategies that MuchFlowers uses. There are many angles to approach this internship, but I hope to get the most out of my experience there.

What experience/class has been the most impactful so far? Or what are you most looking forward to in your internship?

I’m most looking forward to living in Ecuador, immersing myself in the culture, and meeting new people. I traveled to Cuba with the department for a Maymester back in the summer of 2023, which was a fantastic experience that gave me the strength of mind to know I could take a bigger trip. But when I traveled to Cuba, it really was just a trip, only two weeks and some change. In Ecuador, I will be fully living and integrated into work, and I’ll be able to experience the culture I’ve only experienced through my mother.

What are your current career plans after UGA?

Truthfully, I don't know! This Internship will allow me to get a great look into what the future may hold for me career-wise, and I’ll hopefully have a better idea once I get back!

Abigail Barrantes - Valencia, Spain

What made you choose to participate in the International Ag Certificate?

This certificate program presented the perfect opportunity to explore my Agribusiness degree through a global perspective while gaining hands-on work experience abroad and further developing my cultural sensitivity. The program’s coursework selection also allowed me the flexibility to explore a wide range of subject areas of my interest within international agriculture, from horticulture to global food security and so much more.

Where did you go?

I selected Valencia, Spain as the location for my international ag certificate internship. Last year, I had the opportunity to visit the region of Andalusia in Spain through a UGA faculty-led study abroad program focused on food, culture, and the environment. Through this program, I participated in interactive lectures and field visits, where I explored industries vital to Spain’s agriculture and economy. Hearing the experiences of several local Spanish producers, I grew to admire their passion and dedication for sustainable methods of production. Seeing this commitment to environmental stewardship and enthusiasm towards supporting local producers was an impactful experience that drove my decision to return to Spain.

Where did you conduct your internship and what did you do?

I interned at La Universidad Politécnica de Valencia’s Animal Science Department for 9 weeks this past Summer. I worked on a project known as MESOLECA, which focused on improving the production efficiency and sustainability of Murciano-Granadina dairy goats. The project proposes the incorporation of grape pomace, a value-added winery by-product of great importance in Spain, into the diet of the Murciano-Granadina dairy goats to reduce feed costs and environmental impacts while promoting animal health. I spent the most time on one of the sub-projects, focusing on the effects of the incorporation of varying grape pomaces on the quality of resulting dairy products. I worked analyzing the chemical composition of the milk, producing yogurt, cheese, and kefir; and running sensory analysis tests. Outside of this project, I worked on slurry management research as a way to reduce ammonia and methane emissions within livestock farming and assisted in training an AI program used to monitor the behavior of livestock.

You got to meet up with Dr. Applegate while abroad. How did that come about?

Victoria Collins, the CAES coordinator for international programs, informed me that Dr. Applegate would be in Valencia at some point during my internship. She connected us, and we were able to coordinate a day trip to Calpe, Spain with his family and the coordinator for international programs from La Universidad Politécnica de Valencia. We enjoyed a hike along the beautiful rocky beaches on Spain’s Mediterranean coast and ended our trip by enjoying an array of traditional Spanish dishes.

What experience has been the most impactful so far?

My internship experience this past Summer in Spain has without a doubt been the most influential in my life thus far. The relationships I formed, the knowledge I gained, and the memories I created during my 11 weeks abroad changed my perception of the world, myself, and my future plans. I gained much more than hands-on work experience. This internship forced me out of my comfort zone in a way I may have never pushed myself on my own, and I will carry the lessons it taught me for the rest of my life. It allowed me to prove to myself that hard work merits amazing opportunities and gave me the confidence necessary to pursue goals that I once saw as unattainable.