o4valenzuela

4 Weeks in France

3Apr

The whole trip almost seems like an outer-body experience now. Staying in Angers, France for four weeks was probably one of the best, and craziest, things that I have ever done in my four years here at Texas A&M.

In the summer of 2011, I stepped out of my easy Texas life into life abroad with two crazy host parents who didn’t speak a lick of English for the Texas A&M France Agribusiness: From the Farm to the Table: A Sustainable Food Chain Study Abroad. Through this experience, I was able to learn un peu, a little, of survival French, make everlasting friendships and memories, and gain a type of confidence that can only come from travelling to a foreign land.

Brandy with her French host parents

While studying at École Supérieure d’Agriculture d’Angers we were taught by professors and staff about French history, culture, government systems, agriculture, agribusinesses and viticulture.

The professors were able to give us a brief overview of all the different topics that really helped us get settled in with our host families!

Maine Anjou Cattle in France

While in France, we toured many local agribusinesses in Angers that included an organic farm, the Cointreau factory, a sea salt marsh, a farmers’ market cooperative, a cheese factory, a sheep farm, the birth place of the Maine Anjou Cow, and many vineyards.

This truly gave us the opportunity to compare French agribusinesses and practices to American. Being able to experience it firsthand really helped me realize that although the practices may be different, this does not mean that they are not correct or inefficient. What works for some does not work for all.

A little bit of Aggie spirit on the French wine.

Close to the end of the trip, all of us students were feeling comfortable in Angers, learning routines and social norms. This was about the time Dr. Vedenov took us to Normandy to visit the American Cemetery and Memorial.

I think when all of us Americans stepped off the bus on that rainy and stormy day, smelled the sea air, pride swept over all of us. As the professors gathered us around to give us a brief history of the historical site, like they always did, there was no chatter. Suddenly we all understood what it was to be an American. Walking through the cemetery and on Omaha Beach was without a doubt the coolest thing I could ever experience. To think that I would feel so proud of where I call home 5,000 miles away is ironic.

The American Cemetery in Normandy

Louvre

After four weeks in France, I was lucky enough to stay an extra two weeks traveling around Europe by train with my roommate Hannah. Like I said before, my trip to Europe was literally life changing. I learned so much about myself, my taste buds, my home country, my tolerance levels, my resourcefulness, and the beauty of simplicity. After travelling to France, I caught the travel bug, and since I spent the summer of 2012 in Namibia with the ALEC department. I know my travelling will not stop with Namibia, but I have started to re-evaluate a little. I am now concentrating on visiting places in the United States more and try to soak up as much culture as I can in-country.

Oh, and of course we saw the Eiffel Tower!

Brandy Dangelmayr ‘13 is a senior Agribusiness major with a minor in Agricultural Communications and Journalism. She will graduate in May 2013 and start her Masters in Healthcare Administration from University of Houston—Clear Lake in August.

Master’s International Program: On the Ground

13Mar

Having served two tours in Iraq with combat arms units, I was certain the challenges of Peace Corps would be inconsequential. However, living and working in a foreign environment with a very different culture many months at a time tests anyone’s mettle. That said, the challenges are just part of a fantastic adventure and an incredibly rewarding endeavor. I would like to take this opportunity to share some of my on-site experiences and some of the challenges a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) may face. First, let me set the context from which I write.

Learning hillside farming techniques with fellow PCVs (I am in tan shirt, center photo) (photo by Linnae Fath)

Jamaica is a low-middle income country with a stagnant economy and significant income inequality. Smallholder farmers have been marginalized by insufficient investment in agriculture and competition with cheap imports. Food insecurity is not as acute as many places in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, but vulnerability to climate change and global economic trends are real and present hazards. Coastal communities, like the one I live in here in Bluefields, are especially vulnerable to sea level rises, severe weather events, and increased rainfall variability.

Working as a team to get fishing boats out of the water ahead of Hurricane Sandy (photo by Linnae Fath)

On paper, I am an Environment sector volunteer. On the ground, the majority of my work is related to organizational capacity building, promoting adaptive agriculture, and farm/business management. I finished training and was sworn in as a PCV in May 2012. My wife (also a volunteer) and I were dispatched to Bluefields immediately after the ceremony. We live in a 390 ft² wood-frame house on a property with the four homes of an extended family. We carry our drinking water to the house in jugs and buckets from a nearby stand pipe and sometimes rely on our rainwater catchment to operate our shower and toilet. We are fortunate to have electricity and ready access to internet. The internet definitely comes in handy for thesis research!

Our humble, 390 ft2 abode

Most Peace Corps countries require language training and Jamaica is no different. Here the official language is English, however Jamaican Patois is widely spoken. It has taken some time, but I think I am getting the hang of it. Patois is not a written language, making it difficult to study.

Once placed in their community, PCVs are discouraged from initiating any projects in their first four months of service. This period of time is to be dedicated to community integration, relationship building, and learning local needs and assets. After the initial four months at site, PCVs must submit a Community and Sector Inventory (CASI) to their program manager at the country office. This is a document that outlines demographics, infrastructure, historical events, key leaders and organizations, sector specific information (environment, agriculture, health, etc.), and results from Participatory Analysis for Community Action (PACA). The methods used in PACA are similar to Participatory Rural Appraisal, a commonly used community-level assessment tool in international development.

Farmers participating in a needs assessment and priority ranking exercise I facilitated

The result of focusing on integration in the first four months is a better understanding of the people and factors that contribute to conditions in the community. I had to constantly revise my assumptions and beliefs about the source of problems, because a new interaction, conversation, or event would provide a new perspective or reveal information. I sometimes wonder how many of the failings in international development could be avoided if donors and practitioners could take the time to reach the level of understanding PCVs achieve in their communities.

Peace Corps provides volunteers with training in program design and management and even offers the opportunity to apply for grants up to $3,000 for projects. Still, PCVs are putting their knowledge and skills to work with fairly limited resources. PCVs need to be creative, innovative, and build the capacity of passionate people with whom they work. A PCV may find him or herself the most educated and competent person in the room, but he or she must be mindful that they are there to empower and build others. Leading from the back or from the side is better than from the front in most situations.

Serving as a PCMI volunteer adds an additional layer of complexity. The approach I took for the thesis research was to integrate with my community and then identify a meaningful topic before writing a research proposal. Fortunately, I have access to internet, because I needed to gain some new knowledge to be able to write my proposal. Specifically, I needed to better understand climate change vulnerability and adaptive capacity as it relates to agriculture. Other PCMI volunteers use their service as a time to research and write just one chapter or an appendix to their thesis. Writing a portion of a thesis might be a better option than an entire study, as it will allow a volunteer to use more of their free time to enjoy the experience. Regardless, I look forward to carrying out my study and know I will be better for taking on this challenge. Whichever option one chooses, prepare to be flexible. Site placement does not necessarily take research interests into consideration; the ability to adapt may be helpful.

The Peace Corps Master’s International (PCMI) program was a leading criterion in my search for a graduate program. Ultimately, I was drawn to Texas A&M because the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers PCMI and has a good reputation for international research and development through the Borlaug Institute. I understand that the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications is drawing graduate school applicants from the Midwest (where I am from) and from Mid-Atlantic States because of PCMI. The PCMI program is one I highly recommend. Even if you do not feel graduate school is right for you now, if you are interested in gaining meaningful work and cross-cultural experience I highly recommend applying to Peace Corps.

Kevin Fath is a Master of Science student studying International Agricultural Development. Fath has been serving in Jamaica since March, 2012. In 2011, Kevin was honorably discharged from the Army Reserve after serving eight years, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, and serving two combat tours in Iraq. He graduated in 2010 from Ohio State with a B.S. in Animal Science and minors in Agricultural Education and International Development. Fath’s professional and academic interests are in peacebuilding and food security through agricultural and extension education. You can follow Kevin’s experiences at http://kevinfath.blogspot.com

Master’s International Program: Invitation to Paraguay

3Mar

This is the second post in a 3-part series on the Masters International program, an opportunity to combine Peace Corp service with a masters degree. Last week, Tegan shared what it’s like to apply to the program. This week, we hear from Orry Pratt, who recently received his Peace Corp invitation.

Wow, I can’t believe how fast the past six months have gone by. In the time span of 173 days, I submitted my application, interviewed, gained pre-medical and legal clearance, and received an invitation. This is one of the fastest application processes I have ever heard of with the Peace Corps. Other Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV’s) have told me it took them over a year just to find out where they were going! I will admit PC has totally revamped the application process and moved to an online system, so maybe the length of my application process is the new norm.

It was Friday afternoon at 4:15 when I checked my email for the 200th time that day, and noticed one titled “Invitation to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer.” Deep breath. As I opened the email my eyes instantly scanned the opening lines until the bolded Paraguay appeared. Paraguay? Paraguay… Paraguay! PARAGUAY! I’m going to Paraguay! Within two minutes of skimming through the initial email I texted my best friend to share the news. My mind was racing at 90 mph thinking about all the different things associated with my service. Deep breath. Time to get focused and read the actual details of my service without racing through it. Deep breath. Side note: Leading up to my invitation I really did think I was likely going to receive an invitation in Africa, as most of the PC Agriculture programs are located on that continent, and I have experience from my volunteer work in Kenya last summer. I wasn’t “disappointed” about my invitation, I was more or less surprised that it was somewhere other than Africa.

One of the pdf’s attached to the invitation email was the Description of Service, a thirty pager with the main objectives of my service. During my 27 months of service, I will hold the title “Agriculture Extensionist,” and I will depart for Asuncíon, Paraguay on September 25. My service detail is particularly broad compared to other PC programs. The main objectives are capacity building among smallholder farmers to increase standards of living and food security within the region that I will be working (my “site” is yet to be determined. I won’t know that information until at least December 2013).

I will also assist farmers in understanding and implementing comprehensive sustainable food production systems for increased production and income generation. In order to meet these main “objectives” of my service, I will be tasked with training these farmers in cover cropping (green manure), crop rotation, no-till farming, contour plowing, soil diversification, improved nutrition, sustainable permaculture, beekeeping, and animal husbandry. Wow. Broad spectrum of agriculture? I would say so!

Learn more about Orry’s Peace Corp Service on his personal blog.

Originally from Northwest PA, Orry grew up with an agricultural background, and now has a true passion of promoting the best profession in the world – feeding every single living person!

Master’s International Program: A View from the Inside

27Feb

Over the next three weeks, ALEC students Tegan Walker, Orry Pratt and Kevin Fath will share their insights and experiences with Masters International, a program that allows masters students to combine their education with service in the Peace Corps.

The Master’s International program combines Peace Corps service with a master’s degree. A select number of schools in the United States offer the Master’s International program and of those, very few offer degrees in agricultural fields.

At Texas A&M, the Master’s International program has three parts. First, you complete 24 credits on campus. Next, you complete 27 months of Peace Corps service. Upon your return, you attend a final semester at Texas A&M to complete your degree and graduate. Your Peace Corps service has all the same requirements of a regular PC volunteer, with an additional component that you conduct research while you are there for your thesis.

I decided to do the Master’s International program because I wanted a program that could offer me more than a master’s degree. I knew I wanted to go directly from my undergraduate to a graduate program. After researching schools with sustainable international agricultural programs, I came across the Master’s International program. I had thought about Peace Corps before, but had never acted on the step of applying. Once I found out I could combine Peace Corps service with a master’s degree and receive research credits during my service, I knew this is what I wanted to do.

As part of the application process, be prepared for fingerprinting!

I am currently in my second semester at Texas A&M and waiting to hear from the Peace Corps about my country invite. Might I say, it is very nerve racking. I cannot wait to hear where I will be going!

With that being said, I don’t want to make it seem like everything is rainbows and butterflies when applying to the Peace Corps. The process is long and a lot of information is needed. Here are some tips if you are considering applying for the Master’s International program and the Peace Corps:

Apply as early as possible! I know this seems obvious but really, get that application submitted early in your first semester!
You will need your Master’s International acceptance letter before you can submit your application. This can take awhile to get, so apply to the Master’s International program as soon as you’ve been accepted by Texas A&M.
Be prepared to contact every doctor you’ve seen for any special condition. Even if it was ten years ago and the condition no longer exists, the Peace Corps will want to hear more about it.
Ask lots of questions! Talking to several returned Peace Corps volunteers helped me tremendously. Let’s face it; there are a lot of questions that cannot be answered unless it’s by a returned volunteer. With that, keep in mind that every Peace Corps experience is different and the specific questions for your service probably won’t be answered until you arrive on site.

My final piece of advice: it’s perfectly normal to have fears and reservations about joining the Peace Corps. You’re spending 27 months overseas for crying out loud. This won’t be the first time I admit this; I’m pretty frightened of what’s to come of my service. There are so many unknowns, how can I not be? But that’s ok! I was raised to dream big and reach for the stars. “If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough.” -Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Tegan Walker is currently a graduate student at Texas A&M University. She is focusing on international agricultural development related to environmental sustainability. She is also participating in the Master’s International program and will complete 27 months of Peace Corps service as part of her master’s degree. Originally from West Virginia, Tegan was home schooled for most of her schooling and started at a community college at only 16. She soon transferred to Virginia Tech and completed a Master’s of Science in Applied Economic Management in the spring of 2012. After she completes the Master’s International program she hopes to continue working internationally to help developing countries develop their agriculture in a sustainable manner. Follow Tegan’s Adventures to a Sustainable Future.

International Classrooms

21Feb

World Traveler. That is what many call me after my return from Namibia, D.C. and Costa Rica. I have been fortunate to take my educational experience overseas and study abroad with Texas A&M’s Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications Department. These experiences have broadened my horizon by exposing me to different cultures. Although many things are different between those I have met on my journeys, it is our similarities that have me wanting more! I definitely have the travel bug. Who knows where life’s experiences will take me next?

Enjoying the beautiful Namib Sand Sea

First stop: Namibia! What most people think of Africa is not a comprehensive view of the continent. Namibia, a country that gained its independence in 1990, is much like me in age and being on the brink of discovering its potential. Being in the country, I learned of all the beauty and uniqueness the country possesses. The problem is getting everyone else, Namibians and outsiders, to see and harness those qualities for the betterment of the country and the world. From visiting places like N/a’an ku se, Cape Cross, Etosha National Park, Heroes’ Acre, The Ministry of Mines and Energy, Gobabeb Research and Training Center and the Cheetah Conservation Fund, you can see Namibia’s passion for conserving energy and wildlife. Lions, cheetahs, ELEPHANTS, kudu, impala, red heart beast, oryx, rhinos, springbok, zebra, leopards… the list goes on.

Words cannot express the surreal feeling of being away from the big buildings and loud noise, and really being able to take in nature in some of its purest elements. This is what Namibia has to offer. This is what makes Namibia great!

Brooke reaction to seeing elephants in the wild for the first time!

Brooke’s reaction to seeing elephants in the wild for the first time!

After an amazing time in Namibia, and after spending five months in D.C., I asked myself, “WHY STOP THERE?” So off to Costa Rica I went! A different climate. A different language. A different experience. Although both Namibia and Costa Rica are considered developing countries, it is evident that Costa Rica is influenced by America and is a more popular tourist attraction; Jurassic Park could be credited for this popularity.

The first thing I noticed about Costa Rica was that it was extremely green! I loved it. And what I loved more was being able to go into the San Isidro de Peñas Blancas community and experience agriculture and conservation practices first hands. We planted beans for a local farmer, trekked up hills, toured a coffee plantation, saw greenhouses and sustainable farming, and saw a variety of plants, fruits and vegetables. Costa Rican farmers’ motto was to farm things that served more than one purpose to get the greatest use of the land. We got to see all the things we take for granted and all the things we waste on a daily bases. Not to mention, zip lining and hiking through the rain forest to and repelling over waterfalls were perks as well.

Ready to rappel in Costa Rica.

To each experience, its own unique experience. They will forever be imbedded in my heart and I will never forget the things that I saw and the people I met along the way.

I’d like to thank the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation for providing me with study abroad scholarships. It is because of those scholarships that I was able to partake in those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I am forever in their debt.

From these experiences, who in the world knows where I will end up? I’m not sure, but I am up for the task to put more places, more cultures, more countries, more animals, and more agriculture, and more experiences under my belt.

Brooke Brock ’13 is a senior agricultural communications and journalism major at Texas A&M University and will graduate in May 2013. Brooke has always had a passion for people and since being admitted into the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, she has find her niche in connecting agriculture and people who, like herself, do not have backgrounds in agriculture. You can find Brooke AGvocating around campus and in the local Bryan/College Station community. Brooke plans to pursue a career in public relations after graduation.

Exploring the Land Down Under

13Feb

By Cailee Gilbreath

From the moment we stepped off the plane, the adventure had begun. This trip would open new ideas for us all, and give us the opportunity to share in another cultures’ lifestyle.

We are a group of Texas A&M University students, with different majors, goals, ideas, and opinions. However, we all made the decision to study abroad over the winter semester for 16 days . Twenty-one students boarded a plane to experience something new and earn six hours of college credit through the Recreational and Park Tourism Department.

When we landed in New Zealand on Dec. 28, 2012, the history and the daily struggle of the Kiwi (New Zealand locals) and Maori (Native people of New Zealand) people face to keep their land sustainable was evident. New Zealand is a land of “green”, both in the sense that everything there, is that color, as well as how the Kiwi’s strive for environmentally safe tactics in the hopes of preserving their native land.

Through our hikes and activities such as zip lining, glacier hike, Routeburn trail tour, dolphin encounter, and the Maori tour we learned how New Zealand offers tourist attractions while still trying to preserve the natural landscape. They struggle with what is best for their environment, the people and the economy. When a group of us went zip lining in Queenstown, New Zealand, “The Adventure Capital of the World”, it was interesting to see how they did not alter the original makeup of the land for their attraction. Everything they used was eco-friendly towards the land, while keeping its natural identity in tacked.

Tourism is not the only way that New Zealand is sustainable. Sheep and dairy farming are two agricultural industries that thrive in New Zealand. Each have taken steps to ensure that they are both environmental and economically safe. They are fencing off rivers in order to keep from contaminating the waterways. Rotating their livestock between hectors so that the land can have time to re-grow. These are just a few of the practices that businesses, like these, have adopted in order to be efficient yet practical. It was insightful to compare the differences in their agricultural practices to our own.

Our time in New Zealand was filled with long hikes, beautiful scenery and new friends. Although we did not want to leave we were ready for our next adventure in the “land down under,” Sydney, Australia.

From the day we arrived in Australia we began learning about the urban lifestyle, tourism in the city, and the impact of the Aboriginal culture on Australian culture. Having the opportunity to compare the culture, land, and lifestyle to our own was intriguing. In Sydney we had the opportunity to visit National Parks, the Olympic Park, city life, and of course the beach.

Finding ways for Sydney to be sustainable are always at work. A big city can chip away the natural surroundings quickly if not tended to properly. For the 2000 Summer Olympics, which were held in Sydney, the grounds had to be completely refurbished because of contamination in order to have a safe and beautiful location for the events, and the immense amount of people that would be in the city.

Tourist attractions in Sydney seem to be unlimited, having something for everyone. The urban lifestyle is growing in Sydney everyday and must be sustainable to accommodate the influx amount of people, while keeping the city beautiful.

Overall the entire trip was amazing! We had time to go exploring, visit zoos, and see the many attractions that New Zealand and Australia offered. We hit some rough patches with weather and missed out on some of our events, but still had the opportunity to learn new things and take in the beauty of each country. I would love to return one day; I fell in love with the luscious and peaceful land of New Zealand as well as the fast-paced city life of Sydney, Australia. It was a great experience that has given me insight to myself, where we live and how we shape the land around us.

*****

About the Author: Cailee Gilbreath ’14 is a senior agricultural communications and journalism major. She will graduate in May of 2013 with a goal of attending graduate school in August Texas Tech University. In her free time she enjoys photography, music and extending her education in radio broadcasting. She hopes to pursue a career in radio marketing and production after graduate school.

A Life Changing Experience

6Feb

By Cally Hardwick

As we stood in the airport, I had no idea what I had got myself into. Twenty four Aggies sat anxiously waiting to board a plan to Costa Rica. Five hours later, we got into buses and began what could possible be the most exciting 15 days of my young life.

After traveling all day on twisting uphill bumpy roads, we finally arrived at the Texas A&M University Soltis Center for Learning and Research. It was wonderful! We filed into the bungalows to unpack, went down to the cafeteria for dinner, and called it a night. I do not think anyone really knew what the following day held.

“Breakfast 6:30 to 7:30, make sure you have water and whatever else you need in your backpack, and we are headed out at 8:00!” This became the norm of everyday life pretty quick for us. The first day we were at the center will always be very special to me. We got the opportunity to go on a hike through the rainforest that had a surprise ending. The long muddy journey was a little rough, but was very worth it!

The surprise ending: Two waterfalls. A picture can’t adequately do this sight justice!

Double Waterfall!
Photo courtesy of Samantha Alvis.

The next day, after hiking to a local farm, we returned to the center, had class, cleaned up and headed into town for New Year’s Eve. It was really neat to be able to experience local culture first hand.

We sat on the church steps waiting on the fire works show!

While sitting on the front steps of the church, I got the opportunity to play jump rope with two little girls. Even with our language barrier, I was able to communicate with them and have a really good time! I hope they always remember the New Year’s Eve that they jumped rope with the group of Americans!

Playing jump rope outside the church.
Photo courtesy of Tori Clay

Throughout our trip we visited several different agricultural operations. From small family-owned farms to larger corporate-scale companies, I learned so many things and have a greater appreciation for modern technology after visiting each one of them.

One morning we hiked to a local farm to help a family plant their bean crop. They had a field of coffee plants, but need to plant rows of beans between them so that the beans would put nitrogen in the soil for the coffee plant to utilize. 24 Aggies grabbed milk jugs that were cut in half and filled with seeds, sticks to poke holes in the soil where the beans would be planted, and hiked to the field to began working. We planted the entire field in just a few hours; a job that the owner said would have taken him and his son a couple of days. I walked away from this experience with a new found appreciation for farm equipment to say the least. Poking holes, bending over to place three bean seeds in, and continuing through the heat was definitely hard word, but the feeling of accomplishment and helping the family was well worth it.

Photo courtesy of Samantha Alvis.

We also go the chance to visit with several large-scale farm, two of which were organic operations. It was really interesting to learn about things such as biodiversity on farms. This practice means that every thing present on the land contributes in some way. Wither it be pigs used for turning over the soil like plows, animal waste as fertilizer, or specific plants planted so that others could benefit from what they deposited into the ground, everything effects at least one other aspect of the farm.

Now that we had explored the rainforest, hiked through the mountains, learned about many different Costa Rican agricultural practices, it was time to face some fears!

The first adventure led me the beginning of conquering my number one fear- Heights! We spent the day zip lining over the rainforest. It was amazing! The view of the top of the canopy looked like plush green carpet, and the volcano was unlike anything I have ever seen. There was also a large lake nearby that was really pretty as well.

The second day was when I would really tackle my fear head on. We went rappelling! The trip had a series of cliffs and waterfalls to rappell down, but the first was quite scary. I honestly thought I was about to start crying I was so scared as I looked over the edge and realized what I had got myself into. It was so much fun though! After my first trip down, I was walking right up to the edge, spinning around, and flying down the side of the cliffs. I am very grateful for this opportunity. I am very glad I tackled my fear and actually enjoyed it!

Costa Rica taught me many things. The love for Mother Nature was felt everywhere, and the respect they had for natural resources were really inspiring. As Americans, we generally take simple things like turning the water off when washing our hands or brushing our teeth and enjoying long showers for granted. To see not only a community, but also an entire country be “green” was amazing. I think that out of all of the things that my time studying abroad taught me, the lesson of giving back to Mother Nature, and only taking the very minimum was probably the greatest.

It’s amazing what you miss while traveling in a foreign country. Lack of wifi for communicating with friends back home, long hot showers, AIR CONDITIONING, and ice in your drink were all some of the things we missed while studying in Costa Rica. I cannot speak for everyone, but the experience I gained was life changing. I would definitely give up these things and much more to be able to experience my study abroad trip again.

*****

About the author: Cally Hardwick is a senior in agricultural communications and journalism. She’ll graduate in May 2013 and hopes to start a career in public relations. She is a member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Rodeo Team and enjoys traveling and competing in both college and amateur rodeos around the state. She loves the world of agriculture and wants to give back to it in any way possible.

Aggies Under African Skies

30Jul

by Leighton James

A few days ago I realized I have a problem: I have to write the final blog for Namibia Study Abroad 2012. I should probably be happy about it. Everyone always wants the last word.

What I didn’t realize was how difficult it would be to write about this trip. How can I possibly tell you how absolutely amazing this trip was in a blog or at all really?

I could talk about the places we went or the projects we were assigned. Of course, that has already been done.

Along with the places we went, came the amazing people: the Schneider family, Dr. Mary Seely, Eugene Marias, the fabulous Dr. Laurie Marker, the Ogongo students, the staff at the University of Namibia’s Neudamm and Ogongo campuses, Gobabeb Desert Research and Training Centre, and the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), our bus driver, Ephraim, and everyone else along the way.

Perhaps I will talk about the billions of stars in the night sky or the multiple colors of the sunrise. They were both breathtaking. One of my favorite moments was climbing to the top of the dunes (which also took my breath away, literally) at sunrise with Jessica Guerra and Tray Heard. I was so excited and in such awe of the beauty that I almost started squealing and jumping up and down. I could’ve stayed there for hours.

Then, of course, there were the animals – my favorite, by far, being the cheetah (thanks CCF). Their anatomy, precision and beauty is fascinating.

There are so many things we did and experienced, constantly moving and changing. All of these places and people make it difficult to say goodbye. However, there was a constant that I was also fortunate to have – the other 12 Aggies on this trip. Everyone contributed in their own way.

We never had to wonder about what Josh Hardcastle was thinking; he let us know frequently, and we humorously coined the phrase, “It’s just Josh.” I admire his hardworking personality that shined through in all of our groups. (You can thank him for keeping this fantastic blog updated.)

Brooke Brock, whom I gained a respect for early on, not only constantly applied her scientific knowledge but was also almost always the first to talk to the local people. Her willingness and ability to converse came so naturally, and I loved watching her do it. I can’t wait to (hopefully) visit her in Washington, D.C. during the Thanksgiving break!

I have to thank Samantha Alvis for all of the hard work she put into the planning of this trip. We appreciated her input on all that we did as she knew a lot about the places we were going. By the way, I hope Sam’s niece knows how much she loves and adores her. It was adorable seeing her excitement when she got to Skype with her for her birthday.

Brandy Dangelmayr never stopped surprising me. The humor she provided in almost every situation was much appreciated. As Dr. Rutherford said at dinner, it was fun seeing her in her element as she was truly intrigued by the goat operation at the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

Her partners in crime (and in humor) were Holly Van Groll and Jessica Guerra. Jessica brought insight on new ideas and beliefs. She always seemed to perfectly “fit in” with all of the nature aspects of our trip.

Holly is one of the most down-to-earth people I have met, and her laugh is so contagious. I also enjoyed listening to her talk about the Peace Corps, through which she will soon be pursuing her master’s degree.

That brings me to Lauren Cockerell. You can tell she adores her family through the way she talks about them. She is incredibly driven by her work. She and her husband are in the process of joining the Peace Corps, which I find admirable. (Mom and Dad, don’t be surprised if all of this Peace Corps talk inspires me to join, too.)

I don’t think I could describe Beth Alexis any better than Dr. Wingenbach did. Her “wonderment” in everything we did struck us all. I wish I could capture her wide eyes and huge, beautiful smile. It would be nice to look at her face when I lost sight of the value of “wonderment.”

Amy Heartfield’s excitement made me giggle many times. I wish I could include a recording of her enthusiastically saying, “I’m so excited!” Her loving nature makes me doubt that she has a mean bone in her body. I know her words and actions are genuine and kind – something that is truly refreshing.

Then, there is Tray Heard. I had the pleasure of receiving his insight on many things about life. This was in between the times he was enlightening the group with all of his useful (random) information and making us laugh with his witty remarks. His passion for his future goals and powerful voice makes me believe that he will exceed even his own expectations.

Lastly, our trip would not have been possible (literally) without our professors, Dr. Gary Wingenbach and Dr. Tracy Rutherford. Dr. Wingenbach’s stories and insights gave me new perspectives on agriculture and leadership. He also helped me further develop my own ideas. I think I learned something or was challenged to think almost every time he spoke. I appreciated his efforts in trying to push my buttons. He continuously gave me a hard time, which always kept me on my toes.

I give Dr. Rutherford credit for a lot of things, including my decision to officially change my major to agricultural communications and journalism (which I have gradually been doing since I met her). She epitomizes the feeling I have of a family at Texas A&M. I appreciate her ability to silently observe everyone in the group. She was the first to point out the “pure joy” she saw me develop on the trip. I’m not even sure I had identified my own feelings until she pointed them out.

I hope these two individuals know the immense positive impact they have on all of their students.

I will never forget this trip or the people on it. Now, don’t get me wrong, put 13 strangers in confined spaces with limited resources for a month, and you’re bound to come across some conflict. However, the conflict doesn’t come close to outweighing the positives.

I appreciate them for every late night talk, shedding light on ideas and experiences during reflections, the laughs (I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time) and helping me understand myself a little deeper.

I’m fortunate because some of the best parts of my trip get to come home with me. Although I may never cross paths with these individuals in Africa again, I can’t wait to see them back at home, hear about their success and learn even more from them.

This is my Aggie family, and we’ll always have the times we spent under African skies.

Gone in 60 Seconds

30Jul

by Amy Heartfield

Porsche, Ferrari and Cheetah? On Thursday at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), the Texas A&M study abroad group got to see the speed equivalent of a high-end sports car: cheetahs.

The morning started with watching the cheetahs exercise, which means watching large cats run as fast as a NASCAR! The cheetahs chased a small flag attached to a pulley system, or “Namibian Playstation” as the interns fondly call it. This pulley is set up in a square shape in an enclosed field.

After being only feet away from these high-speed animals, it was time to get down to business, and we continued to work on promotional posters and take-home materials for CCF. As the day came to an end, we presented the material to Dr.Marker and received supportive feedback for the projects.

For one of the last sundowners in Namibia, we headed out to a secluded field to watch the cheetahs run one more time. Seeing cheetahs run against the pink sunset is personally one of my favorite experiences of the trip.

Cheetahs and Dogs and Goats … Oh My!

26Jul

by Beth Alexis

Our first day at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) was busy and full of new experiences. When we arrived (after traveling on a very bumpy road, we were greeted by several CCF staff members including Dr. Laurie Marker. Dr. Marker founded CCF, and it has been working to protect the cheetahs of Africa for over 20 years.

The whole group was given a tour of the facilities and had the chance to see the research lab, veterinary clinic, and education center. There was also a demonstration where we watched a dog that was trained to locate cheetah scat for research purposes.

Dr. Marker’s passion for protecting cheetahs is evident and infectious.

One of the reasons that cheetah populations have declined is because they are often been killed by farmers who are trying to protect their livestock. Although cheetahs have been spotted on farmlands seeking food, evidence has shown that cheetahs are often accused for other predators’ kills.

CCF understands that farmers need a form of predator control in order to protect their livelihood. To help promote a human-wildlife resolution, the organization breeds livestock guarding dogs to give to farmers in Namibia. These guard dogs protect livestock from predators and in turn protect the cheetah because the farmers no longer feel the need to kill them to keep their livestock safe.

After our lunch, we got to watch some cheetahs eat their lunch as well. The cheetahs ate meat out of large bowls, and the enthusiasm with which they ran to their food reminded me of my own cats.

We heard a short talk on individual cats during the feeding. My personal favorites were Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

While at CCF, we are making educational materials about goats and guard dogs. We learned a lot about the animals from the staff, especially during our milking experience.

Several of us wanted to milk the goats, so we “helped” with that in the evening. Our time spent learning about goat nutrition and production will be helpful when it comes to creating the educational materials.

It was a pleasure to work with Dr. Marker and the rest of the staff, and I am looking forward to another day at CCF!