The old adage “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone” is definitely true when studying abroad. It is simply a part of living away from something so familiar that used to be taken for granted.

When people asked me what I would miss most about home before I departed, family and friends was followed quickly by my vinyl record collection. What has proven the hardest part about being away from home caught me off guard.

Agriculture is so much a part of North Dakota culture and who I am, but I never felt its absence as acutely as I do now, half a world away.

For many such families as mine, the fall season is full of early mornings and late nights, long hours spent in a combine or hauling grain, and plenty of tailgate meals and lunchbox sandwiches.

As an avid farm kid I am used to constantly helping my dad on our family farm.  I have a deep, personal connection with the land we farm and the crops we plant.  I have a favorite grain truck, farm pickup and “harvest time special” at the local bar.  I live in Wranglers, old high school tee shirts and square toed Ariats during the summer; I wouldn’t have it any other way.

When I left North Dakota at the beginning of July, I had no idea that the experience of studying abroad would strengthen my love for agriculture so much.

I find myself constantly comparing and contrasting the equipment, crops and scale of operation.  My fellow students in India can tell you about how excited I became by simply seeing a Bobcat Skidsteer in the city a few days ago.

I really appreciate their efforts to appear at least a little interested when I have my “farm girl moments,” even if it means watching a video of a sugar cane harvester on the Case New Holland website. They understand it is part of who I am, and I think they also find it somewhat entertaining.

For the first time in my life I have been away from the familiar western-style harvest and I admit I have hard time coping.  I appreciate every photo my dad sends me of the fields. He makes sure to include a picture of the monitor so I can see the yield and moisture content — little things that make me feel more like I am still there. In turn, I send him pictures of my campus and travels so he can feel like he is here with me.

While I am not physically part of harvest this year, studying abroad helped me fully realize how much agriculture impacted my upbringing and how important it is to my identity. I may be missing the “amber waves of grain,” but I remain eager to explore this new, exciting country and I welcome all the associated challenges as an opportunity to grow as an individual.  Sometimes you have to take a step back to bring everything into focus.