New NSAC program offers students worldwide experience

TRURO – A group of Nova Scotia Agricultural College students will have an opportunity to get a new perspective on the world next year.
The chance stems from the new International Food Business program being offered through NSAC where students will get to study at Dronten University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands.
Nine students from Nova Scotia will join nine European students at DUAS to complete their second year of a Bachelor of Administration in International Food Business.
“They’re extremely excited,” said program coordinator Heather-Anne Grant. “As soon as they came back from Christmas break, they started asking questions like ‘How many bags can we bring? What do we need to pack’”
The program began last August where the students attended the inaugural one-week orientation at the University of Iceland. During that week, which is to become a yearly trip for first year students, they met their European counterparts, took part in team-building exercises and toured some of Iceland while learning about the countries agriculture industry.
First year student Jef MacPherson, of Truro, said the trip to Iceland was a great bonding experience for the class.
“Going there, no one really knew each other. We came back with twenty friends.”
The program teaches students to solve real problems encountered by real companies in the agriculture industry.
“People will always need food and there’s always issues surrounding food and trade,” said MacPherson. “It’s really relevant to the world.”
The students work in a unique self-directed learning structure where they are required to think and learn independently.
“Every week is different,” said first-year student and Derbert native, Emma Eisses. “We don’t have set course like most university students.”
That flexibility leaves room for industry tours and field trips, which the class partakes in regularly.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Eisses. “Not only do you learn bookwork, but you gain a lot of hands on experiences and life experiences.”
Those experiences will help provide a broad selection of career paths for the students upon graduation.
Eisses, who has considered going into law, said the program could link up well with a career as a lawyer.
“We do a lot of trade and policy,” said Eisses. “After my four years, I might go to law school and do something in international trade.”
The students will return to NSAC for their third year and have the option of completing their final year in Canada or Europe.
More information can be found at http://nsac.ca/internationalbusiness.