Veda Sanhai

This week was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my internship so far. During Week 4, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a campus residency tour at the University of Maryland, College Park. It was an exciting, educational, and truly unforgettable experience that brought all of the extension interns together in one location. Getting to finally meet everyone in person was fantastic. We'd all been working in different locations, so collaborating and spending time together as a group added a whole new dynamic to the internship.

Myles Alexander and Antonio Silas' leadership training sessions were one of the tour's most memorable highlights. These sessions far exceeded my expectations. They were not only engaging and entertaining, but they also prompted me to think deeply about my own leadership style and decision-making process. It was eye-opening to learn more about how I work in a team setting, as well as to see the diverse styles that my fellow interns bring to the table. I am confident that the insights I gained from those sessions will be useful well beyond my internship experience.

During our campus tour, we saw several impressive facilities and learned about some of the innovative research being conducted. We visited sites such as the research greenhouse, the aquaponics greenhouse and lab, the fermentation lab, and the bioenergy and bioprocessing technology lab. Each of these visits offered a unique perspective on agricultural research, sustainability, and cutting-edge science being conducted on campus. I particularly enjoyed the session on water quality outreach and wellness, which connected the importance of environmental stewardship to community health.

We also visited the beautiful campus garden and the campus farm, which was both enjoyable and educational. Meeting the baby goats was undoubtedly a highlight for me and many of the interns. Another memorable experience was our networking lunch on the second day. It was a fantastic mixer where I was able to network with University of Maryland and Extension faculty and staff. Everyone was very welcoming and eager to share their knowledge. After lunch, I felt more connected, supported, and inspired. I sincerely hope that the relationships I started will develop into meaningful connections in the future.

Overall, the campus residency tour was a worthwhile and enriching experience that emphasized learning, leadership, and connection. I've included some of my favorite photos below, ranging from the labs and greenhouses to the adorable goat on the campus farm.