Students Experience Life-Changing Summer Working to Help Mozambican Community

Photo by University Relations

University of Arkansas students walk through a pineapple farm in Mozambique.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A small group of students and faculty from the University of Arkansas traveled to a poverty-stricken area of Mozambique this summer to help the community through a service learning project.

"It's cool to have students realize that what they learn in the classroom can make a difference in people's lives," said Lanier Nalley, associate professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness. "And not just that, but to reevaluate what's important in life. I think every student on this trip has reevaluated what the important things in their lives are."

Efforts included evaluating and improving nutrition programs for children and helping a local poultry enterprise improve efficiency - helping to create more jobs for the community while producing more of the area's primary source of protein.

Maggie Jo Hansen talks with Mozambican farmers.

"It's something I will never forget, something I'll tell my kids about someday," said Maggie Jo Hansen, graduate student, agricultural communications. "Being a small part of a long journey to help build this economy and this community means more than the world. It is something that has definitely changed me personally and my professional direction. I'm walking away a different person, a better student and I will have more professional opportunities as well."

Participating students represented the Honors College; Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences; Sam M. Walton College of Business and College of Engineering.