Contact: Leah Barbour
Photo by: Keats Haupt
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Only three universities in the nation partner with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to provide internships, and Mississippi State University is one of them.
Leaders from the MSU International Institute Office of Study Abroad held a meeting on Thursday [Nov. 21] in Colvard Student Union for students interested in FAO internships.
"This meeting was a preliminary meeting to gauge students' interest in the FAO internships and answer any questions they have," said Kristen Bloom, coordinator of study abroad. "These internships, and any type of study abroad, are great ways for students to develop skills and refine qualities that can help them advance in the future--adapting to new environments, being flexible, cultural awareness, communication skills, etc."
Two former interns still studying at MSU spoke. Sophomore environmental economics and management major Naomi J. Taylor, the daughter of William and Jeannie Taylor of Nesbit, told the audience about her experiences in Malawi. Also, senior food science, nutrition and health promotion major Bailey E. Martin, the daughter of Barry and Melinda Martin of Hartselle, Alabama, shared information about her internship in Chile.
"Scott Willard, associate dean for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was on hand to speak on the importance of these internships both professionally and personally," Bloom said. "He and I both emphasized the prestige of working for the United Nations and what an incredible opportunity this is for our students."
The former interns shared their personal experiences and encouraged attendees to participate.
"My FAO Malawi experience not only gave me professional, real-world experience, but it also gave me a new perspective," Taylor said. "The work benefitted more people than just myself--it had a positive effect on the FAO, the farmers I visited and a whole nation.
"There's so much reward in the experience, during and after, that now, I have the confidence to tackle anything that comes my way."
Bloom and Willard emphasized that, when students have the courage to try something different, they can develop new interests as they serve people in need, Bloom said.
"The FAO does a great job of working with students and their skillsets to create internships that benefit all parties," she said.
Attendees seemed enthusiastic, Bloom said, and they will have the chance to receive more information about specific internship opportunities in February when the FAO announces them.
"Anyone should consider working with the FAO," Taylor said. "When you get the chance to change yourself and a little part of the world, you have to jump on it."
The meeting was part of MSU's annual International Education Week, held to motivate and inform students about all the international opportunities the university provides.
MSU is Mississippi's flagship research university, available online at www.msstate.edu, facebook.com/msstate, instagram.com/msstate and twitter.com/msstate.