The Link 1999 4 Vol.pdf - DRC Home - Wilmington College

Ag Student Tailors Major
for International Experience
mington College junior Barry R.
Rodeheffer is becoming a familiar site in the
customs areas of some of the world's major
airports. Last year, the agriculture major
from Union City spent two months studying
in China; now, beginning in July, he will
spend the next year in Germany.
Rodeheffer received word this spring he
was accepted into Germany's prestigious
Budestag Study Abroad Program. He is
among a select group of 60 Americans
who will enhance their international perspectives
on such subjects as education,
business and—in Rodeheffer's case—
agriculture.
"I thought I was unbelievably lucky after
I interviewed for the Budestag at the University
of Michigan and I learned I made the
top 130," he said, noting many of those in
the program are graduate school students or
older. "I was jumping up and down for joy
when I found out I was one of the 60 selected
to go to Germany!"
The program is set up so he will start with
two months of intensive German language
training, followed by four months learning
about agriculture in Germany and capped
off with a six - month internship.
Rodeheffer, who will stay with a German
family for at least 10 of those months, said
the Budestag program covers all expenses
except his transportation to Washington DC
and spending money.
"Right now, I don't know anything about
German agriculture, but the more I don't
know the more I will learn—I feel I'm going
in there on a whim and a prayer," he added.
"This kind of experience opens your eyes to
so much."
And he should know. Last spring, he
spent two months participating in a program
at the Chinese Academy of Agriculture,
where he learned about that country's agricultural
systems—and how they are able to
feed more than a billion people.
China proved to be an exercise in contrasts
and similarities for Rodeheffer—and
the similarities did not end when he visited
China's version of Wal - Mart, known as
"Woo - Mart." But it was the contrasts he
noticed first.
"There's a huge gap as to who has money
8 SPRING 1999
in China and who doesn't," he said. "In
riding the bus from the airport, I saw mules
pulling wagons being passed by shining
new Lexus cars."
He recalled China's agricultural quota
system was being phased out while he was
in the country, as traces of capitalism seemed
to fly in the face of communist policies.
Rodeheffer explained farmers were required
to produce a specified quota of rice
that was sold to the local government for use
in that town. Many farmers began growing
a very high yield, but poor quality, rice.
With the high yield crop covering their
quotas, the farmers grew "good" rice on the
side for themselves—and a little extra profit.
He said the Chinese cannot be blamed for
wanting to improve their financial position
in order to better provide for their very large
families.
"I realized many of the same things that
are important to us are important to Chinese,"
he said. "The main difference is the
government—it's really amazing how similar
the people are."
Going to China sparked Rodeheffer's
by Randy Sarvis
interest in international agriculture marketing,
which is now his tailor - made major at
WC.
"The experience gave me a better understanding
of cultural differences and how I
might be able to adapt these differences to
my interest in international agriculture," he
said. "When I got back from China, I knew
I wanted to go abroad again soon!"
It wasn't long before WC agriculture
professor Monte Anderson encouraged him
to apply for the Budestag program.
Anderson has known Rodeheffer since
the student was seven years old; indeed, the
professor calls him his "youngest recruit
ever." Rodeheffer accompanied his father,
who used to be president of the Process
Limestone Association, at PLA's Ohio Farm
Science Review booth visited by Anderson
each year.
"I watched Barry grow up," said Anderson,
who noted Rodeheffer best exemplifies
the student who takes advantage of the type
of opportunities offered by a small school
like Wilmington.
"He's been very proactive in his
Barry Rodeheffer, pictured here on the College farm, claims, "Before coming to WC, I
heard a lot of good things about Wilmington's ag program and I was impressed when
I visited campus. I got to College, saw opportunities and realized it was time to buckle
down. It's been a great experience!" He believes it all might have been predestined
anyway: "Look at my name, Barry Rodeheffer—/ had to be an agriculture major!"