COALS Study Abroad

A Sea of Sand

24Jul

I’ve got sand in my ears. I’ve got sand in my nose. I’ve got sand in places I didn’t even know. That is what staying in the Namib Desert is like. It’s a sandy void where not much else stirs.

During our last day here we hiked up to the top of the dune one last time to enjoy our last sunset staying at the Gobabeb Research and Training Center. My adviser, Tobin Redwine asked us, “Doesn’t this beat working at the bookstore this summer?” That’s when it hit me that I was in Africa. It took me being on top of the dune, watching the sun go down over the mountain to realize how grateful I was to be in Namibia, sifting my hand through some of the oldest sand in the world and laughing at silly jokes.

The last week of my life in Africa can only be described, in my mind, through one word: adventuresome. The tempo of the trip has been a constant go, go, go and we have hit the ground running. Whether it be gallivanting around the desert dunes or taking long exposure photos of the Southern Hemisphere sky at 4 am, it is always an adventure with this group.

Through our adventures our first priority here is as photographers. On June 22, 2013, Gobabeb has been certified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On behalf of their new certifcaition, the center requested that we assist them in updating their fauna and flora photo archive. Our driving force the past couple of days has been to capture as many living creatures that crawl around this desert. With the submission of hundreds of pictures, we have successfully improved their biota register.
What is so interesting about the trip and our “job” here is a group of students, just like us, from Texas A&M visited the Gobabeb Center last year making posters and mottos to promote the application to be certified. With success, it is wonderful to get to carry on their legacy. The old saying goes, “If an Aggie does it once, it’s a mistake; twice, it’s a tradition.” Being our second time at Gobabeb, a new Aggie tradition was started in 2013.

Even through all of our adventures and fun, it was quite strange to be at a place so far from civilization. Social interaction was limited. Personally, it is already hard being so far away from home, with so limited communication, and putting an isolated setting into the mix made it just that much harder. The adventures here are real and lively, but the solitude of the center’s community is often eerie.
Nonetheless, the adventures here in Gobabeb have been unforgettable. It has been cool to get to experience the different aspects of a place different than any other I have visited. The center has created ample opportunities for us by asking us to take pictures that could open many doors in the future. The memories of hiking up the dunes and sunsets will be engrained in my mind, as we travel elsewhere.

If you want to keep yourself updated on our travels like TAMU ALEC Namibia Abroad on Facebook and follow #TAMUSafari on Instagram.

Country or Continent?

20Jul

As I told people that I’m going to Namibia this summer, I got many blank stares. I found myself explaining that Namibia is a real country and where it is located. The other issue I’ve faced is the “country versus continent” topic. Africa is a continent; Namibia is a country within Africa – not a state.

Africa is not frequently discussed or taught in the United States. In fact, I just learned that less than five percent of Americans have traveled to Africa. People know Nelson Mandela, Hotel Rwanda, Madagascar the movie, rioting in Egypt, and malaria, but that’s about it. Africa is so much more than that. It’s a continent with 54 countries and 11.7 million square miles, two thousand languages, and one billion people. Thinking about the size of this continent and the rich history it contains is mind blowing. There’s so much to learn and to experience.

Every country in Africa seems to have a rich and complex history of how it came to be. Namibia is a fairly young country, only gaining its independence from South Africa in 1990. Before the South African rule, there is a long history of German rule. This is extremely evident with the prevalence of European architecture, German speaking people, and an abundance of high quality chocolate in the grocery stores.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from Namibia. But I’ve learned that it is approximately half the size of Alaska with a population density of only five people per square mile. Agriculture makes up only 5% of the GDP and the main products are livestock and meat products, crops, and forestry. Only 2% of the land in Namibia receives adequate water/rainfall. (And it looks a lot like west Texas!)

I feel that the more I learn about the history, the people, and the workings of a country, the better appreciation I have for my experiences. I gain more respect for the development work being done and the progress that has been made. I also become more aware of the luxuries of my life in America – my safety, connectivity, conveniences, and so many more things.

Traveling is always an eye opening experience, but it feels even more impactful in Africa. I have heard similar things from my classmates here as well. I just hope that we can help share our experiences and knowledge gained with everyone back in America!

A Home in Namibia

19Jul

By: Trotter Heady

Day six of being more away from home than I ever thought I could be, and I feel as if I’m surrounded by my friends and family back in Aggieland.

Before entering Namibia all I could think about was being alone in a country that everyone saw my group and I as tourists with nobody to greet with a “Howdy!” I assumed that we would be seen as these rich Americans that nobody would show any kindness to unless they were tourists themselves.

My opinions were dramatically and instantly reversed as soon as we arrived at the University of Namibia’s Neudamm Campus. Our group has been greeted with kind smiles and warm hearts despite of the cold weather, which hasn’t gone away since. We are constantly embraced with Namibia’s “Ultra Cool Super Secret Handshake,” and big hugs everywhere we go.

Yesterday at the American Cultural Center the class was able to meet multiple individuals who are American but work in the city of Windhoek, Namibia. Here we were finally able to get our “Howdy!” and “Whoop!” greeting, because one of the workers was a Texas A&M alumni. Even though we have only been in this foreign place where everything is constantly new for five days, you could tell how excited we all were for something familiar.

Her hearty greeting has helped me to look back and truly appreciate all that we have already encountered. That same night we were able to experience an amazing home cooked meal prepared by Dr. Martin Schneider, the former Dean and current professor. We were welcomed into his beautiful home and feed a delicious, home cooked, Namibian meal of oryx stew. We were again surprised with friends and colleagues of Schneider’s that were so happy to speak to us about our journey thus far and where we plan to be in the future.

Now we head toward a new destination, the Gobabeb Research Center, and I’m thankful to be able to look back at the large amount of connections we have already made. We have met an amazing group of people already and are sure to continue to meet more along the road.

Destination Safari

17Jul

By Kelsey Smith

After 3 flights that took us between 3 continents, 36 hours of traveling, and an accumulation of maybe 5 or 6 hours of sleep, we finally arrived at our destination at the Neudamm Campus of the University of Namibia. I have to say, getting there was probably the least stressful experience within the past week, mostly thanks to the people I will be surrounded with all day everyday for the next month. Bad jokes alongside the excitement that our adventure has finally begun continue to allow contageous smiles and laughter spread between each precious face of our newfound family. Preparing to leave the country and enter into an area that I did not have much knowledge about turned out to be the most challenging part this far. Taking care of things around the house, saying goodbye to friends and family, 2 a.m. trips to the Wal-Mart , poor packing skills, meeting for class and writing papers all seemed to creep up on me at the same time within about 72 hours of leaving the U.S. Getting to the airport, checking in, and going through security felt as if more than the 45 pounds that was my suitcase had been lifted off of my shoulders. I could begin to relax, get to know 6 of my 8 new family members better, and give my mom and brother one last call before boarding our first 10-hour flight.
The people that work for British Airways made the experience much more comfortable with their hospitality and to my excitement, REALLY cool British accents. It never got old hearing my sweet flight attendant repeatedly calling his passengers “love” while graciously serving us. When I began playing around with the touch screen that sits in the back of the headrest I was pleasantly surprised to find popular movies and TV shows along with a map that allowed us to track our flight’s location around the world. Sleeping on the plane was another story. Each time I would fall asleep it wasn’t long before I woke up to find that gravity had taken its toll yet again, bringing my head down in a position that my neck did not agree with. The airport in London was amazing. It felt as if we were in an enormous building that can’t decide whether it wants to be a mall or an airport. Our next flight to Johannesburg, South Africa was about the same, but it was a little bit easier to sleep because of how much we were overdue from the previous flight. Finally, the short flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek did each and every one of us in. At one point we were all passed out in unison, not affected by the shaking of the plane during taking off and landing, and sadly not even affected by eating (one of us… a.k.a. Tobin… literally fell asleep between each bite of food).
We reached Windhoek, Namibia to find the rest of our group. One unfortunately was told that her luggage had been lost (which has still not been discovered after more than 72 hours). This was one of those moments that Dr. Wingenbach’s advice to “pack our flexibilty” came into play. We loaded a bus, and took a short drive to the campus we would call home for the next 5 days. As I looked around I already felt at home with the scenery resembling the panhandle of Texas, or the countryside of New Mexico. The people that welcomed us to the campus are nicer and more accommodating than we could have asked for. Our meal that night was prepared by the cooks that continue to so graciously feed us breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the most selfless way.

We had the privilege of sitting in on a meeting with some of the University’s Directors, Deans, and other faculty members. They showed us a glimpse into the agriculture programs at their school and talked about how much progress they have made and continue to make at the University of Namibia. A few of their members attended Texas A&M during graduate studies, so we all loved hearing and relating to stories about their time in Aggieland.
After only 24 hours we already have so much gratitude because of the gracious people here at the Neudamm campus. They continue to go out of their way to selflessly serve, teach, laugh, and provide us with more than we expected. We will never be able to repay them, but I pray that our time, conversations, smiles, and laughter will express to them how much we appreciate their hard work.

Journey in Time

17Jul

by Laura Brainard

They say a “journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” But if kilometers are shorter than miles, why not save gas and take your trip in kilometers? Why not travel to a place where time allows you to be in the future by 6 hours? Why not travel to a place where stars blanket the sky and elaborate sunsets melt into the earth? Why not travel to a profound place called Namibia?

After two days filled with exhilarating game drives, generous hospitality, educational meetings, short pursuits through Windhoek, and delicious meals, it is safe to say the lifetime memories are in the making. Without a doubt, it certainly has not taken us long to figure out that the nights are crisp and require immediate layers of warmth when the sun goes down. (A big shocker for the Texans I might add.) Here, long underwear and hot tea are more than acceptable this time of year. Ten gallon Stetsons are replaced with rugged safari hats, possums replaced by meerkats, Whataburger replaced by Wimpy, and slow southern drawls are replaced with a quirky language no true Texan could keep up with.

Our spontaneous group of seven students and two fearless leaders, Dr. Gary Wingenbach and Tobin Redwine, are bound to have an irreplaceable experience filled with laughs, endless puns, lessons learned and millions of shots. (Camera shots that is.) With two epic days behind us, the journey of a thousand kilometers has only just begun.

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.

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.

Don’t Mind the Cold

19Aug

by Gary Wingenbach

In retrospect, it wasn’t that cold at the University of Namibia-Neudamm Campus. At least our brief time on campus was not “snow-worthy” cold, as reported by Dr. Martin Schneider (see photo), on this lovely mid-August morning. Then again, time has a way of softening the edges of every experience. So, the 75-degree difference between Windhoek, Namibia, and College Station, Texas, doesn’t seem that grand now.

I feel a bit guilty seeing next week’s planning meeting for “Namibia 2013.” Wait, is that possible? Weren’t we just there a few weeks ago for the Namibia 2012 experience? Yes, and yes. Time waits for no one, especially adventuresome Aggies wishing to feel desert winds, scream wildly at lowly baboons, climb sand dunes, smell seal-fouled ocean breezes, and speak cheetah.

What will Namibia 2013 bring for those adventuresome Aggies? I remain hopeful they’ll experience the same awe and impact, as did students during Namibia 2012. I hope we’ll make new connections, like Chris Janes and Matt Flick, Peace Corps Volunteers making a difference in Namibia’s educational system. You can follow their blogs at http://mathinnamibia.blogspot.com (note: don’t be scared of the word “math”) and http://whereintheworldisflick.tumblr.com.

Maybe some of those Aggies will be inspired to take on new global challenges, whereby their presence will be counted in months or years like those of Chris and Matt, rather than weeks. Don’t get me wrong; such a long-term outcome is “nice,” but not totally necessary to change one’s outlook on life.

I read students’ reactions to the Namibia 2012 experience, and suffice it to say their lives will be forever changed. For some, the surprise of Namibia’s “developed world” status in their electrical, transportation, and water systems changed long-held perceptions of the “African condition,” as seen by most in US-based media portrayals. For others, the lack of student resources at the UNAM campuses will be etched in their memories, causing them to “do something” to ameliorate those situations. Fantastic! Every long journey starts with just one step.

For me, Namibia was a vastly different experience than what I witnessed in Guatemala. My colleague helped me sort out the differences: in Guatemala, Aggies worked in elementary schools with youth groups, while in Namibia, Aggies worked primarily with organizations external to formal school systems and only with adult groups. Neither experience was better than the other, just different. That is to say, Namibia’s freezing cold nights are not necessarily better than Texas’ fiercely hot days, just different.

That difference really sums up an important belief about study abroad at Texas A&M. At least in the Guatemala and Namibia programs, we strived to help Aggies understand that one people, culture, food, or social system is not necessarily better than another, but it is different. When students and faculty, understand and appreciate those differences, we will have impactful study abroad programs at Texas A&M University.

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.