Sharing the Impact of Global Experiences
Part of the Smith Center’s mission includes helping staff find opportunities to globalize their work in relevant ways. Global engagement at UTIA takes a village, and so it is essential to build the capacity of staff colleagues across all departments and units of UTIA to advocate for and participate in global opportunities.
Study abroad programs not only open doors for students but for the faculty and staff who work hard to make them happen. Find out more about what this looks like from Haley Harbin, as she shares her experience learning what it really means to take Real. Life. Solutions. beyond Tennessee.
It’s safe to say that I have my dream job.
As a social media and public relations specialist on the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Marketing and Communications team, I have the privilege of telling purpose- driven stories about the people and programs responsible for fulfilling UT’s land-grant mission. Each day, I grow my skills in photography, videography, and writing while highlighting the innovative research, transformative education, and impactful outreach initiatives happening across Tennessee, the nation, and the world.
If my college-aged self could see the work I am doing today, she would be thrilled, but even the younger, idealistic version of myself could never have imagined some of the unbelievable opportunities I have had during my time at UTIA. Among them, one of the most meaningful has been collaborating with the Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture.
When the Smith Center team approached me in fall 2025 with the opportunity to join not one but two Herbert College of Agriculture study abroad programs to capture updated photos, videos, and social media content, I did not hesitate to accept the invitation. Having never traveled abroad before, I saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for not only professional but personal growth.
In what felt like an instant, I was boarding a plane to Rome, Italy, to join the inaugural Roman and Medieval Era Construction study abroad experience during the January 2026 mini-term. I accompanied the group as they explored historic sites and cultural landmarks, documenting their experiences along the way. From there, I traveled to Thessaloniki, Greece, where I joined another group of students participating in the Food, Culture, and Sustainability program, continuing to tell the story of their global learning experiences.
Over the course of two weeks, I had the joy of witnessing firsthand the immeasurable impact of study abroad on students. Seeing their sense of wonder as they engaged in global learning activities made me wish I could travel back in time to my undergraduate years and convince myself to take the leap.
I quickly realized that these programs are far more than trips to another country. They are immersive, intentionally designed experiences that connect students to the culture, history, and industries that shape each destination, offering a depth of learning that goes beyond what is possible in a classroom.
As a staff member, I felt fortunate to have the chance to encounter these countries and cultures for the first time through the eyes of students, engaging in activities and learning opportunities that I likely would never have experienced had I been traveling as a regular tourist.
From an Italian cooking class, a tour of the impressive Domus Aurea—the ruins of Emperor Nero’s palace—and a hike alongside ancient Roman aqueducts in Italy to an olive oil- making workshop, a tour of a feta cheese production factory, and dance lesson in Greece, I was overwhelmed (in the best way) by how much I was learning and experiencing even while focused on capturing photos and videos from the sidelines.
Through my camera, I saw not only the incredible history, culture, and industry in Italy and Greece but also the formation of new friendships, fresh perspectives, and meaningful global connections. Each day of my time traveling with these groups made it clear that the multifaceted nature of international programs extends far beyond traditional learning, offering truly transformative experiences that will stay with students for a lifetime.
One of the taglines the UTIA Marketing and Communications team uses to describe the mission of the Institute is “Delivering Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennessee and Beyond,” and this experience greatly expanded my own perspective of what that could mean.
Traveling abroad through the Smith Center on these Herbert programs showed me how far beyond Tennessee our impact can reach, as well as the meaningful ways students, faculty, and staff can connect with communities around the world. It reinforced that the work being done at UTIA not only serves our state but also contributes to a larger global conversation about agriculture, sustainability, and education.
Plus, this experience introduced me to the classic Roman pastry, maritozzo, and for that I am truly grateful!
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