Cultivating Global Connections through Agriculture: Meena’s Story
Global learning is found across many disciplines, takes many forms, and is a powerful way to stay connected with one’s research and professional goals. For Meena Pandey, a second-year graduate student in International Agricultural Development, Global Affairs has provided unforgettable experiences and has furthered her connection to academia across many diverse cultures.
Originally from Nepal and coming to the United States to pursue her master’s degree and then a Ph.D. in Horticulture and Agronomy, Meena has always had a passion for blending opportunities abroad with local ideas of sustainability and environmental protection.
Agricultural Sustainability and Studying Abroad
With a distinct interest in strengthening food systems and studying ways to valorize pomegranate peels to improve pollinator health, along with soil ecotoxicology, Meena found great support and empowerment through the Global Grad Grant here at UC Davis. Her complex agricultural research, relevant both in California and around the world, has connected her with peers and professionals from diverse backgrounds.
As a requirement upon receiving funding, participants must also work towards earning a certificate in Global Leadership. Meena believes that the content of this certification has prepared her for advanced workplace development and has set the stage for her success and growth in higher education.
As a Global Aggie, Meena has taken several trips around the world to advance her scientific knowledge and connect with unique, academically-driven individuals. Before beginning graduate school, Meena attended the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (UNFCCC COP 27) in Egypt in 2022 as an undergraduate student. The experience prepared her for the global learning opportunities she has pursued at UC Davis.
Sharing insights on her most recent experience in China last year, she was part of a fully funded summer program in Beijing and the Gansu Province. Spending a total of 15 days there and meeting an array of professionals in agricultural green development, her cohort was composed of students from countries all across the globe. Meeting peers from Brazil, Germany, Myanmar, and many other countries, Meena worked to help create solutions for a sustainable future and share knowledge on this growing topic.
Taking a break from the research lab and engaging in hands-on field work, Meena was able to apply her technical skills and enhance her projects by exploring modern technologies. In China, she learned from professors from England, France, India, China, and the Netherlands in a collaborative and intensive manner. A key memory came from the very last day of her trip: “At one of the events, every participant was playing the songs of their home country and sharing their native dances with the crowd. I didn’t know what the lyrics of each song meant, but I was certainly enjoying the energy of the room. I felt very comfortable sharing a piece of my own culture as well.” Combining academia with these social experiences has brought Meena both joy and a sense of empowerment in her field of work.
Moving Forward in Academia
From discovering the complex yet impressive road system in Beijing to exploring all of the greenery in this bustling city, Meena found great reward in her student-to-student connections among many other factors. Through simple experiences like drinking green tea in China and appreciating cultural differences from her own, she has gained a strong sense of academic confidence. She believes her global learning experiences have prepared her to work in any part of the world and adapt to future challenges.
Excited to start a new chapter in her life and eventually work firsthand with farmers, Meena is eager to continue building her interpersonal skills. Maintaining an open mind as she travels abroad and interacts with those in Davis has empowered Meena’s professional and personal goals. Global Affairs has been a place of connection and networking as she exercises her many passions, giving Meena the chance to explore the power of agriculture in her own, distinct way.
