Study Abroad
Study abroad has become an emphasis in the department since 1997. Semester-long courses introduce the agriculture, horticulture and culture of a country. The in-class instruction is followed by spring break or summer travel courses to the country of study. These have been conducted to Scotland, Ireland, England, Costa Rica, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria, and Greece. The horticulture travel course (Horticulture 496) has been very successful with relatively high enrollments compared to other departments in the college and often provides students with their first international experience. Horticulture 511, our study abroad course to Costa Rica, is associated with the University of Costa Rica. It is one of two study abroad programs in the College of Agriculture that includes an exchange of students and faculty on an every-other-year basis. In one year, Iowa State students and faculty visit Costa Rica and in the next year, students and faculty from the University of Costa Rica visit Iowa.
The HORT 496 Horticulture Study Abroad course provides students an opportunity to immerse themselves in another country. The course is composed of two parts; a pre-trip class offered during spring semester, and the study abroad trip completed after the completion of the semester. The pre-trip course provides students the opportunity to study in depth about the country, or countries, that will be visited on the trip. Topics covered in the class generally include among others the country's: history; culture including food, music, dance, language and customs; agriculture systems; political system; and important landmarks. The study abroad trip at the end of the semester is about 10-14 days and affords students the opportunity to experience the country they have been studying first hand. In addition to giving students an important learning experience HORT 496 also meets the university's international perspectives requirement.
Experiencing The Netherlands
May 11- 22, 2008
Hort 496
By Ann Marie VanDerZanden
If you are interested in horticulture, in particular the production aspect of our industry, then a trip to the Netherlands is a must. This spring myself, Cindy Haynes and Richard Gladon took 21 students in the HORT 496 International Travel Course on an 11 day trip through the Netherland. While there we learned about numerous horticulture enterprises, and of course took in the culture, food and local tourist sites.
We spent 3 days in Amsterdam where we completed a boat tour of the canals, viewed the amazing works of the Dutch Masters at the Rijksmuseum and the VanGogh Museum, had a guided tour of one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, and experienced the general flavor of the bustling international city. On the outskirts of Amsterdam is Aalsmeer and the world famous Flora Holland floral auction. It was the highlight of the trip for me. The auction facility is huge- equal to 20 football fields. And this is matched in the sheer volume of plants, 20 million flowers and 2 million plants, traded during the auction each day. It is mind boggling. We also fit in a trip to the Keukenhof Gardens. Although we were about a week past the peak bloom time, the garden and the tulip displays were still breathtaking.
From there we were off to Rotterdam to see first hand how large the Rotterdam harbor is, and what an extensive protection system the Dutch have built to keep the North Sea at bay and minimize flooding during major storms. Along the way we also visited the largest breeder of anthuriums in the world as well as the world leaders in rose, gerbera, chrysanthemum, tomato, pepper and cucumber breeding. The automation at these facilities was on a scale far beyond what I have seen before.
After stopping on the west coast to experience the North Sea, we headed east to Arnhem. We stopped at the Trompenburg Arboretum and enjoyed their stunning collection of rhododendrons which were in full bloom. Since we were close to Germany we took an unplanned trip across the border and enjoyed a lovely dinner there one evening. While in the Arnhem area we visited the Palace Het Loo which was originally the summer estate of the monarchy. We also rode bikes through the Kroller Mueller national park enroute to the museum. It was a fun way to get through the park and enjoy an important mode of transportation for the Dutch. We finished our time there with dinner and a ride on a pancake boat. Most of the Dutch I met were crazy about their pancakes.
On our return trip back west and to Leiden, we visited a large fruit processing facility, and tissue culture company. We spent our last 2 days in Leiden and Delft, again enjoying more of the Dutch culture, history and countryside. Here we also had the opportunity to tour and climb to the top of a functioning windmill.
It was a great trip. The students were interested in the sites we visited and impressed with the variety and scale of horticulture production we saw. We all learned a lot and had fun along the way.
Student Study Abroad Opportunity - Spring 2008
Hort 496 students and faculty departing for Norway and Sweden for the Spring 2006 Study Abroad trip.
Hort 496
By Ann Marie VanDerZanden
This year's Horticulture 496 class took us to Scandinavia. In class we learned about these beautiful countries and their culture, history and food. Central Iowa has a large population of people with Norwegian descent and we were fortunate that many of them shared their interests and stories with us during class. A number of students on the trip also had a bit of Norwegian in their family lineage making the trip all the more special to them. Our trip this year was divided between Norway (mainly Oslo) and Sweden. We spent five days in Norway and then traveled to Sweden where we spent three days in Stockholm and two days in Uppsala.
Dr. Nick Christians, James Romer and I led a group of 21 students from ISU on this year's trip from May 7th through the 18d.The weather was unseasonably warm and dry-not quite what we expected for May in Norway and Sweden. Since we had so many outdoor activities scheduled for the trip, the great weather made being outside quite pleasant. We didn't have to use our umbrellas until the last day as we headed to the airport. During our trip we learned about the Vikings and their influence on this region of the world, we saw some of the beautiful fjords in Norway, the gigantic ski jump used in the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, set foot in the unassuming garden of horticulture legend Carl Linneaus, saw the first operating theater built at Sweden University, and enjoyed gastronomical delights of fresh seafood, reindeer, ligonberries and Swedish meatballs.
As I have done the past two years, I've included a few excerpts from my travel journal to highlight my experience.
Norway and Sweden 2006
Day 1
May 7, 2006. After facing delays leaving the Des Moines International Airport on the last two Hort 496 trips, I was fully prepared for yet another delay. To my surprise everything went smoothly. (We would come to pay for that “smoothness” on our return trip!) We arrived in plenty of time to Chicago enroute to London Heathrow. We departed Chicago about 8:00 p.m. and arrived in London on May 8th at 10:15 a.m. local time. After clearing customs and traveling via airport bus through the maze of Heathrow, we arrived at the international terminal and the students had their first experience with duty free shopping. I personally enjoyed shopping at Herrod's and buying a latte at Starbucks.
We still had a two hour flight to Oslo before our air travel was over for the day. Once on the ground in Oslo we waited for our luggage (all of which arrived) and headed out of the airport to find our bus to town. We got to the bus at 4:14 and the bus departed at 4:15! After a 40 minute bus ride to where our hostel was located, we got off, lugged our bags down 50 or so steps and then drug our bags back up a hill that had to have been a least a half mile long to the hostel. Everyone was so tired there was only mild complaining.
We had about 45 minutes to get freshened up and then walk back down the hill to the bus station. (The hill would come to be a defining part of our stay in Oslo!) We navigated our way downtown to Karl Johan Street, the main street in downtown Oslo. We all experienced a little sticker shock withdrawing money from the ATM. With the exchange rate $1000 Krone exchanged to about $200 American dollars. It was going to be an expensive trip.
Most everyone headed back to the hostel about 9:00. It had been a long 24 hours since we left Chicago and everyone was pretty wiped out. Although it wasn't the middle of summer yet, the “land of the midnight sun” still rang true. At 10:30 it was just starting to get twilight. Later during the trip some of the students decided to stay up all night to see just when the sun would set and when it rose in the morning.
Day 2
The Norske Vandrerhjem Hostel in Oslo would be home base for our four day stay. For a hostel, the accommodations weren't bad. Breakfast was included as part of the room cost so we got to experience pickled herring (in a couple of different sauces), pickled beets, soft boiled eggs and the Norwegian equivalent of liverwurst as an alternative to Fruit Loops and Frosted Flakes. It made for an interesting start to the day.
Our first full day in Oslo included a tour of the City Hall, a two-hour narrated city bus tour which took us by a number of important cultural and historical sites, and a ferry ride across the bay to the Viking Ship Museum followed by the Norwegian Cultural Center (similar to Iowa's Living History Farm). As part of the bus tour we traveled to the top of one of the many hills that surround Oslo to the site of the ski jump used during the Lillehammer Olympics. Television doesn't do the size of this structure justice! It was huge and reaffirmed the comment I had made to my seven year old son during the 2006 Winter Olympics when I told him that I didn't think he should aspire to be a ski jumper when he grew up. (At least with the bobsled they are in some form of protective vehicle.)
Students had the late afternoon and evening free to explore Oslo and find some dinner on their own. Many of them ended up sitting outside the hostel visiting with a group of college-aged Norwegians who were staying at the hostel while they were in town for a training seminar for their jobs on the deep sea oil drilling rigs.
Day 3
We took a 30-minute train ride south to As to the Swedish University of Life Sciences where we were hosted by horticulture faculty members. We toured the campus; some students then toured the aquaculture facility while the other group went on the animal science tour and had the chance to put their hand in the side of a fistulated cow. A highlight of the trip for many!
Day 4
We had a very touristy day and visited the Viegland Sculpture Park, the Munch Museum (The Scream wasn't there as it was in New York on loan) and then a 2-hour boat ride through the fjords around Oslo. This was our last day in Oslo.
Day 5
A 6:30 a.m. departure for the airport included one last walk down the hill and back up those stairs with our luggage in tow. The flight to Stockholm was just a couple of hours, and I think was the highlight of the trip for a couple of students. On our flight were the last three World Poker Champions- and seated next to once of the students was “Fossilman”. These three gentlemen were kind enough to pose for a group photo at baggage claim and to sign autographs afterwards.
We took the fast train (120 mph) to Stockholm. Once we arrive we had quite a hike to our hostel in the gamlen stan (old town) area of Stockholm. Imagine narrow cobblestone streets lined on either side with two story buildings and no sidewalks. Now add 24 Americans dragging approximately 48 pieces of luggage on roller wheels up these streets. To say it was loud is an understatement. We stopped people in their tracks and made babies cry. Oh, and it was all uphill as well!
We arrived early enough to do a little site seeing via a boat tour and it helped us get our bearings for some of the other locations we would see during our stay.
Day 6
The weather was still cooperating so we decided to take in Skansen (the Swedish equivalent of the Living History Farm) in the morning. It was an amazing collection of original Swedish buildings from the 1800 and early 1900's, including a thriving downtown area with a working bakery, cobbler, and glass blower. They also had an exhibit of native animals including reindeer and wolverines and examples of houses lived in by the native Sami population. The four hours we spent here was one of my favorite parts of the trip.
Day 7
We started the day with a 3-hour bus and boat tour of the city followed by a short tour of the Royal Palace. We ended up finishing our planned activities about 4:00. One of the students and I went in search of a particular store so I could purchase a gift for my husband. We felt pretty confident we could figure out the subway well enough to get where we needed to. After a couple of missteps and ending up in the very deepest bowels of the subway system, we realized the error of our ways and got to the right level and headed in the right direction! And, we still made it to our 6:00 meeting spot for dinner.
Day 8
The Vasa Ship Museum was the focus of this day. I had been anxiously awaiting this museum visit since learning about it in class in March. The museum didn't disappoint. The story of the Vasa Battleship is fascinating. In the 1600's, King Vasa commissioned a ship to help in the battles with Poland. The king took a personal interest in the design - unfortunately. He asked the shipbuilders for two gun decks, as opposed to the standard one, and the ship had eight levels. When the ship was finished, it pulled away from the quay, heeled over in a small breeze, and sank to the bottom. It was found again in the 1960's, raised to the surface, preserved and restored, and finally moved to its own museum building. The ship had been amazingly preserved in the clay at the bottom of the sound. Aside from the ship, over a hundred sailors' remains and their gear was recovered - some of this material is on display in the galleries surrounding the ship. I wasn't able to get any good photos of the ship because it was so huge and the museum is kept so dim.
Day 9
We packed up and headed back down the cobblestone street at 8:00 in the morning (still making a lot of noise as we drug our suitcases along) to the subway station. The hour trip north to Uppsala gave us a chance to see some of the beautiful Swedish countryside. The bright white of the birch tree trunks created a strong contrast against the deep green of the conifers and bright green of the newly emerging grass.
Our hostel in Uppsala was only a few blocks from the train station and didn't involve any hills! Oscar who checked us in had spent his senior year in high school living outside of Waterloo, Iowa on an exchange program. He enjoyed visiting with us Iowans.
We had an appointment with the director of the Linneaus Garden that afternoon. As a horticulturist it was a dream to see the garden designed and organized by the Father of Botany. Although the garden was quite small (an acre or so) learning about the collection of plants he had originally included in the area, and how that has changed over time was very interesting. I hadn't given much thought to the medicinal role played by many of the species he collected, but seeing the collection as a whole and connection he had with the medical program at Sweden University made sense.
Our next stop was the Sweden University museum and Operating Theater. The museum was fantastic and really showcased all of the contributions Swedish scientists have made to the world. What a brain trust. After walking through the museum, a few of us stumbled onto a tour being given in the Operating Theater. The Operating Theater, now standard in many teaching hospitals was the idea of Olas Rudbeck in the mid-1600s. He designed the entire thing and much of the original materials are still in place. The steep steps and narrow areas to stand made it easy to see the operation (autopsy) that was being done on the rotating table below, and prevented those who fainted from falling forward onto the table. He also had the walls in the area painted in a Campbell's Tomato Soup reddish orange and a splatter technique in grays and blacks applied over the top. That was to hide the inevitable blood splatters and vomit that occurred during the sessions. To hear the tour guide describe the whole process was very informative and quite entertaining.
Day 10
Our last full day in Sweden. We were treated to a guided tour of the second Linneaus garden by a botany professor at the university. It was great to hear his descriptions of the collections and the history of the garden. We had a little time to explore the garden on our own before meeting for a couple of more optional tours that afternoon. One of the students and I ventured to a coffee shop for an afternoon refreshment. We ended up sitting there for a couple of hours visiting. Something I know wouldn't have happened if we were on campus because of all of our other commitments. What a delight to find the time to do it. Our last evening was topped off with a group dinner at a lovely restaurant of creamed nettle soup, lox and of course Swedish meatballs. As we walked back to the hostel it began drizzling- our first rain of the trip. Everyone packed up that evening in preparation for our 5:30 departure from the hostel to catch a bus to the airport.
Day 11
We trudged through the rain to the bus station a few blocks away. We weren't able to take the train to the airport since the earliest departure wouldn't get us to the airport in time. Instead we took a commuter bus to the airport. The driver, and many of the passengers, weren't too pleased to see us lined up outside with all of our luggage. The driver wouldn't let us put the luggage below in the cargo area so we had to pile it all into the bus. It was an articulating bus so there was room in the middle articulating area. Of course when the bus went around the first turn, all of the luggage tumbled into the middle of the aisle blocking anyone from getting off!
We were able to understand all of the people we talked to in both Norway and Sweden, except the bus driver that morning…Needless to say, we got off at the wrong airport terminal. After a little hike, and of course a few more stairs, we arrived at FinnAir to get checked in. Unfortunately there was a problem with our electronic tickets and they had to wait an hour before the headquarters in Helsinki opened before our group could get ticketed. (This would be the beginning of our luck changing from our smooth departure I mentioned on Day 1!)
We got to the gate with a few minutes to spare, only to find out our plane was delayed by 40 minutes. We already had a tight connection in Manchester, England for our flight to Chicago. We arrived in Manchester and were met as we exited the plane by the American Airlines agent who asked if we were the group of 24 they were waiting for. She then informed us, in no uncertain terms, we were to proceed directly to the security area then upstairs for American Airlines security. Do not stop to shop. Do not stop to use the restroom. In lock step we all negotiated security and got upstairs where we went through additional security screening. I was with the last group of two students to be screened and the three of us were the last ones on the plane. And just as luck would have it, our seats were in rows 37 and 38 in a plane that had 40 rows. We got to see the `pleasant' faces of the passengers already on board who had been waiting for our arrival!
The eight hour flight went smoothly and we arrived in Chicago with plenty of time to clear customs and make our connection. A couple of student had to surrender their reindeer jerky- but everyone else made it through fine. We all found our way to the gate only to find out the plane was delayed. For the next two hours we waited for the updates, which of course gave us new estimated departure times, only to be pushed back later at the next update. After many phone calls everyone got their rides from the Des Moines airport squared away and finally the plane was miraculously ready for us to board.
Des Moines- it was good to be home. Overall our trip was a great. I think the students enjoyed the sites we visited and experiencing the Norwegian and Swedish cultures. Traveling with students puts an interesting perspective on the experience. For many of them it was the first time they had traveled overseas. For some, a first time out of Iowa, and for at least one, the first time they had flown. In all, I hope it was a trip they will fondly remember.
Scotland in May
Hort 496
By Ann Marie VanDerZanden
In the short 15 weeks of spring semester we completed a whirlwind study of Scotland. The topics we covered included: the fierce and often bloody history of Scotland, the perpetual rift between Scotland and England, Mel's Gibson's character in Braveheart-a man of lore and legend, the tragic figure Mary Queen of Scots, learning how to dance like a Scotsman thanks to the Scottish Dance Club here on campus, and of course we deciphered and tasted Scottish delicacies such as neeps and tatties, Scottish eggs, fish and chips, stovies and Scottish shortbread. Now we were ready to experience Scotland first hand.
Dr. Jeff Iles and I led a group of 18 students from Iowa State University on a journey through Scotland from May 8th through the 22nd. The weather was unseasonably warm and dry-not quite what we expected for May in Scotland. Since we had so many outdoor activities scheduled for the trip, the great weather made being outside quite pleasant. During our trip we walked on hallowed ground as we toured the Old Course at St. Andrews, traveled through the desolate and bare Highlands, scrambled to the top of a 'wee hill' call Ben A'an, looked for Nessie, visited stunning botanical gardens, and experienced Scotland's gastronomical delights.
Our coach driver, Bill was quite a character. He expertly drove the coach on narrow, windy, and often bumpy roads as we completed our itinerary. In addition to driving, he shared with us an interesting analysis of Scotland through a mix of actual history, personal observations and tall tales. Every history lesson should be so entertaining.
Below are a few excerpts from my travel journal to highlight my experience.
Scotland 2005
May 8, 2005
Last year's trip to France started on the same ominous note: Yet another weather delay out of Des Moines International Airport. This time we were only a couple of hours late leaving Des Moines and still made the connection in Chicago enroute to Glasgow.
Day 1
We arrived in Glasgow at 9:00 in the morning, blurry eyed but anxious with anticipation. After clearing customs a few of the students went to one of the money exchangers in the airport as we waited for our luggage. The exchange rate wasn't a shock since we had been following it closely all semester during class, but seeing it at $2.08 US to 1 pound was certainly an eye opener. It was going to be an expensive two weeks.
Our coach driver Bill Hanratty didn't have any difficulty recognizing our group as we straggled into the lobby area. With his thick Scottish brogue it took us a while to really understand what he was saying. (I spent most of the first two days shaking my head politely in agreement, hoping all the while that I wasn't agreeing to something I would regret later. Like, confirming that I did want haggis for lunch, or I wanted a helping of blood sausage and stewed prunes for breakfast, or I was fan of the wrong 'football' team, or…)
Our first day was short and easy. We left from Glasgow and headed west to Dumbarton Castle. It was partly cloudy but there was still plenty of sun and it made for beautiful views of the countryside around Glasgow from the top of the castle. Bill thought we should see Loch Lomond, the largest of the Scottish lochs, so we drove by it on our way to Irvine which would be home base for three nights.
Day 2
We drove south from Irvine to Logan Botanic garden. Because of how the jet stream flows along the coastline, temperatures in that part of Scotland are quite a bit warmer than other areas. As a result the garden had an interesting collection of tropical plants, tree ferns and broad leafed evergreens including hebes, rhodies, azaleas, and hollies. A much different landscape planting than central Iowa.
Day 3
Turnberry and Royal Troon golf courses.
Day 4
Our day started with a 20 minute ferry ride and a short drive into the more mountainous area of central Scotland. The garden stop this day was Benmore. The garden tour started with two parallel rows of giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) each over 70 feet tall. They were beautiful. The garden also had an amazing collection of rhododendrons and azaleas and a developing Chilean garden. Walking through the garden took me back to western Oregon where I used to enjoy these stunning and majestic plants each spring. After a three hour tour with the garden curator we departed for Oban. After checking into the hotel, everyone dispersed to explore the town and find dinner. Atop a hill sits McCaig's tower which is a Scottish replica of the Roman Acropolis. It seemed oddly placed in this Scottish fishing town. The 'short cut' was pretty much a vertical climb for a half mile or so. From the top though, there were beautiful views of the water and town below.
Days 5, 6, and 7
We continued north stopping at Glencoe, Fort William, Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness, Inverness, Inverewe gardens, Pitlochry and ending at Perth.
Day 8
St. Andrews- the town and golf course were the focus of this day. Although I don't golf often, and I certainly don't golf well, I enjoy the game and must admit to many lazy Sunday afternoons dozing in and out of 'golf naps'. The visit to the Old Course at St. Andrews was what I was most looking forward to on this trip. This was one of the coldest days of the trip. A cold wind was blowing in off the North Sea and to describe it as stiff is an understatement. I have a new appreciation for those hardy souls who golf that course. The superintendent of the Old Course gave us a great tour and indulged us in allowing us to take lots of pictures, walk on the greens, stand in the deep and treacherous bunkers, and of course walk across the famous Swilcan Bridge on our way to the 18th green. What a delightful experience.
After touring the course we had a few hours to explore the town. No Prince William sitings, but we still enjoyed visiting the town including the remains of the St. Andrews cathedral. After a conversation with a nice woman at a restaurant, she gave a couple of us a ride to the St. Andrews Botanical Garden. She said it was the best kept secret in the town. I would have to agree! It was a beautiful garden with interesting collections including beds shaped in concentric rings arranged by family and each bed containing samples of genera that make up a particular family. Well worth a side trip if you are ever in St. Andrews.
Departed St. Andrews for Stirling where we spent two nights.
Day 9
Our hill walk, as the Scottish call rather strenuous hiking, was to be the highlight of this day. Jeff had been talking it up all semester. I think some of the students were a bit apprehensive, while others were certainly up for the challenge. After a quick tourist stop to see Hamish, the most photographed Highland Cow in Scotland, we arrived at the Ben A'an carpark. There in front of us, way a top a 'hill' was the summit of Ben A'an. According to Jeff and the hill walking guide he reviewed, it was rated as an easy-moderate climb with a "wee scramble at the top". Little did I or the students or know that a wee scramble meant 30 minutes of climbing on all fours essentially straight up! This of course was after the hour long walk up about a 50% slope. Most all of us made it to the top. Determination and fear of being ridiculed by the group drove some people, and the views from the top of the mountain were the reward.
Shortly after our group got to the top, a couple with their 4 1/2 year old son arrived at the summit. Apparently they have been hill walking for years, and he has been walking with them since he was 3. (I wondered if his legs burned like mine did?!)
On our way back to Stirling we stopped at Dobbies garden center. It was huge and truly a shopping destination. It had everything: gifts, clothes, garden furnishings, a pet department, in-store deli, a lovely café, an outdoor display of glass houses (4-season rooms), and I almost forgot to mention, tons of plants. I could have spent hours there just looking around.
Day 10
We departed Stirling and headed to Edinburgh. Along the way we toured Stirling Castle and then the Wallace Monument. The countryside around Stirling was beautiful and the rapeseed fields were in full bloom with their vibrant yellow flowers. The Wallace Monument was built to honor William Wallace who Mel Gibson portrayed in Braveheart. The statue at the base of the monument of Wallace with Mel Gibson's face is a little weird and the source of many jokes by Scotsmen.
Day 11 and 12
Our last two full days in Scotland had morning tours to Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Botanic Garden, and then the afternoons were free to explore Edinburgh including the Royal Mile which connects Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. On the last day a small group of us decided to climb to the top of an extinct volcano Arthur's Seat. After a little detour off the beaten path, we made it to the top. It was cold and windy, and not a place to stay for very long. But the views of Edinburgh, the surrounding countryside and the Firth of Forth were worth the climb.
As we hiked back down we could hear piping coming from Holyrood Palace and the Scottish flag was flying atop the palace which meant someone from the Royal family was there and the palace was closed. Just as we got to the Palace we could see some type of ceremony going on inside the gates replete with pipers in full regalia. As we stood outside, the gates opened and the group marched out piping and drumming. It was a fitting way to end our last day in Scotland.
Overall our trip was a great experience. I think the students enjoyed the sites we visited and experiencing the Scottish culture. The HORT 496 class will be traveling to Norway and Sweden next year with Nick Christians and Barb Osborn leading the group.
