Last year, animal science major Victoria Albright joined College faculty members and six of her classmates on a trip to Cuba to learn about the country’s food production practices. The UConn Education Abroad course, entitled Food and Revolution: The Cuban Experience, was an eye-opening experience for her. She grew up on a dairy farm and welcomed the chance to see first-hand how Cubans approached sustainable agriculture, organic farming and integrated pest management practices. Read more about Victoria’s experiences as a UConn student.
What attracted you to the UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources?
I have been around animals all through my life, so I knew that when I went to college I wanted to do something related to animals. UConn CAHNR attracted me because it has such a great program and I knew I would be exposed to a lot of great opportunities.
What is your major, and why did you choose it?
My major is animal science and I chose it because I have had a love for animals ever since I was little. Growing up on a dairy farm led me to develop a passion for animals that I wanted to pursue through animal science. It also has a lot of hands-on experience, which I value because who doesn’t love to work with animals on a daily basis?
Which one of your UConn activities, internships or jobs was the most memorable? Why?
My most memorable UConn activity was going on a study abroad trip to Cuba. It was so interesting to experience a culture way different from mine and be able to learn about Cuban society. What was so impactful was seeing how Cubans learned to innovate through plant research since they do not have the resources of pesticides and fertilizers that Americans do. It was also interesting to learn about their dairy breeding programs and that they have to consider how factors such as intense heat and nutrition will impact their production.
Name two other experiences that have enriched your studies.
Being able to do an independent study to rehabilitate an injured horse really taught me valuable information that related to my major. I was able to learn about the anatomical issues of the horse as well as using the best method to achieve sufficient healing.
Participating in Huskython, an 18-hour dance marathon that raises money for sick children, really taught me to be thankful that I have the experiences I do and that I get to pursue my passion without having to worry about illness.
What has the biggest challenge in your UConn career?
The biggest challenge for me was constantly having to balance my studies and playing field hockey, especially in the fall when I have to miss classes and exams for games.
When do you expect to graduate? What then?
I expect to graduate in spring 2021 and then attend graduate school in the fall to get my masters in animal science. After that, I am not sure, but I know as long as I’ll be working with animals I will be happy.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
I love to travel and so far I’ve been to about ten different countries. I also hope to be on the national team for field hockey one day.
