Ella McGrath, a senior in Horticulture and Global Resource Systems; Lainey DeVries, a senior in Agricultural Business and International Agriculture; and Ella Peterson, a junior in Agricultural Communication, have leveraged their study abroad experiences to earn digital badges through CALS Pathways to Innovation and Leadership, showcasing their global learning.
Ella McGrath has taken full advantage of global learning opportunities, participating in two faculty-led study abroad programs in India and Rome, Italy, and spending a semester abroad in Costa Rica. In Fall 2026, she will add a fourth, once-in-a-lifetime experience through the Natural History of Antarctica study abroad program. Similarly, Lainey DeVries has expanded her global perspective by participating in faculty-led programs in Ghana, Brazil, and Argentina, while Ella Peterson has gained international experience through a program in Costa Rica.
All three students earned the Innovation + Leadership: Global Impact badge by reflecting on their global experiences, submitting a 1–2-page reflection, and completing 4-minutes public presentation on their skill development. Ella Peterson completed a 30-minute mock interview with Pathways and earned the Career Pathways: Global Perspective badge by successfully practicing how to highlight her study abroad experience in a job interview.
Through participation in high-impact study abroad experiences, students develop essential skills in cross-cultural communication, global awareness, leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving—competencies that are highly valued by employers. These experiences extend learning beyond the classroom, fostering both personal and professional growth.
CALS Pathways helps students identify and communicate the transferable skills they develop through international experiences. By sharing digital credentials on LinkedIn, resumes, and professional platforms, students can demonstrate these competencies to prospective employers and strengthen their career readiness.