Perreault Fellow Gains Global Agriculture Experience in Australia
Liam Abbey, a plant sciences major in the College of Agricultural Sciences and a 2026 Perreault Fellow, spent his summer internship in Sydney, Australia. Credit: Contributed Photo. All Rights Reserved.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With a focus on the well-being of humanity, the Penn State Perreault Fellows Program helps Penn State students hone their global leadership perspectives. The centerpiece of this highly competitive program is an international internship.
Abbey, of Elizabethtown, shared his experience: "Australia is captivating. I feel incredibly grateful for the support of the Perreault Fellowship Program. I never dreamed I’d have the chance to work and spend time in Australia’s diverse array of ecosystems. From doing impactful conservation work in Sydney to seeing the oldest rainforest on the planet, the support I received from the fellowship changed the course of my professional and academic career for the better."
The Perreault Fellows Program is a highly competitive, two-year global leadership and internship fellowship designed for undergraduate students across multiple disciplines. As part of the program, students in fields related to health and human well-being prepare for future personal and professional excellence.
In addition to his major in plant sciences, Abbey is pursuing a minor in international agriculture (INTAG) and will graduate in December. Noel Habashy, associate teaching professor and INTAG minor coordinator, noted Abbey's impressive use of resources:
"Liam has an exceptional combination of intellectual curiosity and eagerness, which has opened doors to tremendous learning opportunities. Whether seeking to learn from Indigenous community members in South Dakota or conducting field research in Costa Rica, Liam has exhibited a wonderful, humble disposition of learning."
Fellows participate in intercultural learning opportunities, a workshop through the Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State, volunteer service, and give a presentation about their learning outcomes to the Penn State Provost’s Global Advisory Council. Perreault Fellows also receive up to $9,500 to support their international internship experience.
Abbey emphasizes the program's core focus on improving humanity:
"The earth and the environment are more central to humanity than anything, and my interests aligned perfectly with the Perreault Fellowship."