The past few weeks have been a blur. It’s been a fury of exams, quizzes, papers, studying, and oh yeah, getting ready to spend my spring semester in Tanzania and Kenya! I have known for several years that I would be studying abroad in college. Regardless of the cost or application process, I would find a way to live in another country and learn things that cannot be learned here at home. When I finally came to Penn State I started looking at programs and while some looked nice or interesting, I wasn’t too enthused… Then that fateful brochure came my way. The School for Field Studies. It was like love at first sight. I’m an animal science major and knew that a program that involved observing wildlife in their natural environments and improving conservation techniques was the experience I’ve always dreamed of.

The program will focus on comparing conservation issues in the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem of northern Tanzania with those in the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem in Kenya. Classes include Swahili, techniques for wildlife management, wildlife ecology, and environmental policy and socioeconomic values. I’m mostly excited about our opportunity to work with faculty members and other students on research projects that will benefit all who attempt to live off the land and in harmony with the wildlife of the region.

I have a strong attraction to the immense beauty that surrounds us but many tend to overlook. Our world is rich with wildlife, plants and beautiful places. I will have the opportunity to travel to such a place and also share it with you. I hope you enjoy my upcoming adventures as much as I will. Until then

-Jess

Location: Hershey, Pa