STATESBORO, Ga. () — A group of Georgia Southern honors students got back from a trip to Ireland, to study issues facing farmers.

Students told their 6-week stint on the green island was much more than a vacation.

“You meet people and come to realize that not everything is just as you thought,” remarked student Maddox Powers. “I believe it’s crucial for everyone to go through this kind of experience.”

Steve Engel, the dean of the Honors College at GSU, commented, “It introduces students to a different culture. It pushes them beyond their comfort zones, leading to significant personal growth in such an environment.”

Engel explained that their Honors Global Scholars Program receives over 300 applications annually, but only selects 20 freshmen. These students explored topics concerning the mental health of farmers in Ireland.

“There’s family farms over there, but they also face similar challenges,” said Amy Potter, the director of the Honors Global Scholars Program.

They said regulations, extreme weather, soil quality and work-life balance contribute to high levels of depression in Irish farmers and those here at home.

“Nobody looks for farming as a career choice,” said Powers. “It’s a sacrifice.”

Students made friends with some Wexford locals during their time, and they presented their studies to politicians and the Irish Farmers Association.

“These are just these high impact practices that we’re really proud of that this this program showcases,” said Potter.

Engel said, “These are students of all different majors who really want to explore global topics and understand the global connection between their major field and their future.”

Students said their visit encouraged them to explore different ways they might be able to use their degree.

“It opens up different possibilities that you didn’t think about in your job field at first,” said Olivia Lott, a rising sophomore at GSU.

Powers said, “There’s so much more that you can do, and there’s so much more that you can dream about and want to do.”