Global awareness is a key pillar of the University of Illinois agricultural communications program. With that as a catalyst, we embarked on our first communications-focussed study abroad program last month, with members of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) at their annual congress in Interlaken, Switzerland. We learned from some of the world's top agricultural journalists and leaders, such as guest speaker Syngenta CEO Jeff Rowe (pictured here with our group). We connected with peers from across the globe, winners of the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism award, for a well-developed idea exchange at nearby Bern University of Applied Sciences. And we participated in highly informative field tours on family farms and farmgate businesses dotting the amazing Swiss Alps. I can't imagine a better experience or outcome for our students. With the grades now submitted, our inaugural agricultural communications study abroad program is a wrap...and planning is underway for a program with University College Dublin next May, to learn about communications, extension and knowledge transfer aspects of Irish agri-food, one of the world's top brands. #illini #UCD #IFAJ #Syngenta #Switzerland #journalism #studyabroad #education #Illinois