Inspiring Change, Cultivating Hope

"... your program and class had a profound impact on my life. The course content was deeply introspective, and many of the assignments encouraged me to reflect upon my future, including my career aspirations. Upon my return from Kenya, I began taking pre-reqs for nursing school and quickly discovered my passion for nursing. I am now in the process of applying to the University of Maryland School of Nursing... Your class played a pivotal role in helping me realize my path, and without it, I would have never realized this is what I wanted to do."

This heartfelt reflection from a student in the 2024 AREC Kenya Study Abroad program (pictured above with Professor Dale Johnson during the trip) reminds us of our immense privilege as educators to inspire and empower.

The AREC Kenya Study Abroad Program combines hands-on learning in agriculture with cultural immersion and personal growth. Students explore Kenyan farms, study sustainability, and engage in business planning while experiencing local traditions and wildlife. This unique program equips students with practical skills, global awareness, and a renewed sense of purpose to shape their future.

While our news feeds currently are filled with heartbreaking images of the wildfires in California, we are reminded of the fragile balance of our world and the pressing need for thoughtful and deliberate action.

Policies may change with governments, but the small, everyday decisions we make – how we live, what we value, and the paths we choose – ripple outward to shape a better future.

At AREC, we are honored to guide the next generation. Beyond providing education and research, our greatest mission is to ensure our students have the tools, knowledge, and courage to take meaningful action. It’s moments like this, where a student discovers their passion and purpose, that remind us why we do what we do.

Together, we can rebuild, reimagine, and rise – inspiring hope in times of change and empowering the change-makers of tomorrow.