This year College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students will travel to all seven continents. Yes, even Antarctica, where they will study one of the world's unique biological ecosystems.

Iowa State University is one of the nation's leaders in sending agriculture and life sciences students abroad to gain educational and leadership experiences and cultural perspectives that are increasingly important to success in their careers.

In the past year, 413 students in agriculture and life sciences studied abroad. The college offered 20 travel courses to 19 countries, led by nearly 50 faculty and staff from a dozen departments. The college pays for students' passports, helps with financial aid options and holds career-focused workshops to help students connect meaningful and sometimes life-changing global experiences with their career goals.

The programs help students learn skills that empower them to become global citizens and leaders. Students share what they got out of their journeys in the following testimonies, plus you can watch the "Seven Continents" video:

• "I'm able to adapt to different situations much more rapidly, and my problem-solving skills have improved greatly."

• "I worked on a project evaluating the potential of the food industry in Africa. It was the greatest learning experience I've ever had."

• "I have a greater appreciation of what we have in the United States and a better understanding of others."

• "I gained confidence and became more independent. Being in a foreign country is difficult if you don't know the language, but we made it and had a blast!"

Did you know? This year Iowa State hosted students from 18 countries for the World Congress of the International Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences, the first time the event was held in the United States since the organization began nearly 60 years ago. Learn more about this student-organized success with this short video.