1. Kathryn Lisle
Czech Republic Study Abroad
Dr. Frazier
1. How did this applied learning experience enable you to apply what you have learned
from your courses, both in major and core curriculum areas, and from your extracurricular
experiences to real-world experiences (International travel).
I have always considered myself a well-rounded individual. Early on in my life my
passion for agriculture flourished when I joined my local 4-H Club and I was lucky enough to be
a part of a travel-loving family. We toured the countryside from California to Maryland, we were
the epitome of the cliché saying “been there, done that.” I was that nerd, that in the seventh grade
I won the All District Geography Bee. My life changed as I got older and I found myself
focusing on my animal projects and pursuing whatever agriculture related thing that came my
way, but in 2012 I wanted something more. That spring I traveled outside the United States for
the first time, Ireland and England would be my destination. I spent a little over a week exploring
the rich history of both countries and would return to the states as a changed and now worldlier
person. Although my travel bug wasn’t satisfied, and again in spring of 2013 my Mother, Aunt
and I would travel to Italy and Greece to see some of the world’s wonders and immerse
ourselves into a new culture. I would return from that trip with a grasp and an edge for European
culture. I graduated from high school and started my freshman year at Tarleton in August of
2013 and then traveling would cease in order for me to afford to attend school. A year passed by,
then two, and I knew I would need to change something or my taste for Europe would soon be
forgotten.

2. During my SAE class with Dr. Frazier he would periodically reminisce on his travels
abroad and tell us how wonderful and exciting study abroad was. One week he brought a flyer to
class and the rest would be history. I finally found a trip that would combine my love for travel
and my passion for agriculture.
The Czech Republic, a country we formally knew as Czechoslovakia, now independent
from Slovakia, and located somewhere between Germany and Poland. Well, at least that is what
our geography professor said. Now we are supposed to know about the Czech agriculture? Well,
looks like Google here I come. Come to find out the in the many classes I have taken here at
Tarleton State University no one focuses on other nations agriculture, I get it, we live in Texas,
so we focus on Texas. But through further research I conducted myself; wheat, barley and sugar
beets are planted and harvested every season. Doesn’t sound too much different from Texas,
right? During my course work I have learned about all three of these plants in depth, through
plant and soil science, horticulture and even animal science class, these are staple products that
all Texans know about. I had to admit it was easy to understand why the Czechs chose to grow
these plants and when we arrived and saw the perfect climate and rolling fields. I now knew why
they grew it in the first place.
“Learn by doing”, it may seem silly to include the FFA motto, but there has never been
more truth in it until now. You truly do learn by actively engaging into whatever it may be. As
we stepped on to Czech soil, I activated my learning brain and fully prepared myself (as much as
I could) for two weeks of adventures and once in a life time opportunities. I believe this applied
learning experience has been one of the most engaging and self-satisfying things I have ever
completed. It all came full circle during our first day of class after a few days of touring,
Professor Voracek was talking about the Czech’s agriculture from past to present and even for

3. the future. He talked to us about the “Green” movement from within the European Union and
how the Czech Republic was using those beautiful Canola fields we had been seeing to create a
type of bio-diesel. He also ranted on about the importance of wheat and barley (for beer) and so
on. Listening to his lecture and fully comprehending everything that came out of his mouth was
something I only wished that happened to me every time I sit down in a new classroom. But it
had, I knew about the importance of wheat AND barley from my previous classes at Tarleton. I
knew it! The more and more we traveled the more and more I felt at home or at least more
comfortable with my surroundings. I have to thank my parents for taking me to Washington DC
when I was young and for helping me figure out how to use the subway stations there, because
who knows if I would have ever made it back to CULS if I did not know how to use their metros
and bus lines. My previous excursions to Europe helped with the ease of settling in and being
comfortable navigating the city. My friends and I never had a bad day and we were always down
to go somewhere new to make sure we saw everything we could!
My education at Tarleton is far from over and I have much more to learn, but I am so
thankful for the wonderful professors who have taught me thus far. I would have been
completely lost in agriculture terminology and systems on this trip if it were not for them. I thank
my parents for my outside and extracurricular activities and showing me the world that lies
beyond The Lone Star State. Completing this ALE has introduced me to a whole new side of
myself. I feel more aware of myself, my world and even the people in it. I have found a new
peace and this trip has helped me solidify my future career goals. I hope to one day run a
program at the school where I teach on the importance of understanding our nation’s agriculture,
but as well as other nations too. I plan to take students on a study abroad trip, just like Dr. Frazier
took us.

4. 2. Evaluate how the applied learning experience expanded your views of academic,
political, social, cultural and/or economic environments and prepare you to contribute more
meaningfully to a global society?
Entering a new culture sometimes is a scary thing. But for most of us we do it quite a few
times during our lifetime without even knowing it. As a high school student you leave the
comfort of your school’s culture to enter your new college’s culture. Culture changes from state
to state and even from region to region in some states. Personally a new culture means I can start
fresh, throw away old habits, and pick up new ones, like walking everywhere! A change in
culture can make one realize how good they have it or can make them wish they lived a simpler
life. The Czech Republic’s culture varied greatly from town to town, Prague for the most part
was like any Capitol city, hustling and bustling with the sound of business professionals, tourists
and locals. I have to admit, the Czechs are amazingly friendly people! The culture of Czech
University of Life Sciences did not differ much from that of Tarleton State University culture.
Students hurried from class to class and would gather at the end of a long day to celebrate
another step towards their degrees. They hung out in cliques, but socialized with everyone. They
were just like us Texans. After a few days of immersing ourselves into their culture and making a
few new friends, we sat around and swapped stories about campus life and school life. Here is
where our academics differ, greatly. We as American students take final exams, a test that is
normally completed on paper; occasionally an oral exam here and there will pop up. We are
tested on the knowledge we retained during the sixteen week class period. We are expected to
remember, comprehend and essentially recite all that was covered by our professors. On the
other hand the Czech students take what are called “state exams” they are oral examinations
given by professionals in the students particular fields of study. The students come dressed in full

5. business attire (far from our Nike shorts and oversized t-shirts) and have prepared speeches and
answers to whatever the examiner might ask. I have to admit, I would be scared out of my mind
to have stand before an expert and explain everything to them that I had learned and be prepared
for questions. This is one way how the ALE experience helped me understand the differences
between my academic college culture versus theirs, along with their social and everyday cultural
customs too.
Politics of the Czech Republic seem to be quite a bit different. There wasn’t much talk
about their President, other than he is the one who chose the Canola oil as their Green movement
contribution to the European Union. I find this to be a good thing though. In the United States
there are too many opinions and options for people to choose from. Some hate and some
appreciate. When Democrats are office the Republicans aren’t happy and when the Republicans
are in office the Democrats aren’t happy. It is a never a win win situation. One side will always
be unhappy. But for the Czechs it seems to be a pretty much unanimous agreement for their
President, which I find to be pretty fascinating.
Throughout the trip my knowledge of the European Union grew vastly. In one lecture by
Dr. Vlosta Cerny, he compared and contrasted the economies of the European Union countries to
other nations like the United States and China. It was remarkable to see the agriculture related
GDP of each nation to the US and the Czech Republic. In fact the Czech Republic has a very
high GDP, it was one the highest in the EU and fairly relatable to the United States’.
My journey to the Czech Republic has lead me to a new world of knowledge and taking
this applied learning experience to whole new level. I would have never imagined I would return
with a lifetime of information and understanding. My views of social, culture, political and
economics were been greatly expanded and filled with exciting facts, interesting stories and

6. memories that I will never forget. I now can say I am more versed in the world of international
relations between agriculture, customs and world data. This wealth of information I received will
help me contribute to the world’s society. I cannot wait to teach about global practices in my
classroom one day. I feel this ALE has given me the world in the palm of my hand and I plan to
use it and nurture it and expand it. I hope to fulfill lives, like how mine has been. I want every
student of mine to know there is a world and lives beyond Texas and the United States. I want
them to know it is okay to feel out of place and the only way to feel in place to do and to
discover what the rest of the world has to offer.