Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
ALEC Abroad

The Namibia Phenomenology…

by Dr. Tracy Rutherford

This trip has been filled with -ologies, much more than any of us anticipated: anthropology, paleontology, archaeology, geology, technology and zoology.  Brooke has had many opportunities to demonstrate that she paid attention in class while many of us wish we had done more than memorize the information for the test.

That’s what I have learned on this trip – it is about the experience and applying what you’ve learned, not the grade on your transcript. Neudamm reminded us of the importance of agriculture, Gobabeb challenged our research skills, and Etosha brought Africa to life (as the elephants blocked the path of the bus and later intimidated a young lion pride), I can only wonder what lessons we’ll learn in the final days of our adventure.

Jack Elliot told me Namibia is his second home because it reminds him of Arizona. I think all of us appreciate the similarities between this country and the United States, while enjoying the hospitality of our hosts and the abundance of excellent chefs. We have definitely received the red carpet treatment, and I am grateful that our students have the chance to give back to this country – the chance to leave a legacy that will guide this program for years to come. 

My hope is that the legacy of this program is for our students to learn beyond the book, apply beyond the test and do something with their education.

We started this experience with the study of agricultural communications and leadership at Neudamm preparing to translate scientific information based on the research at Gobabeb. Now we are fine-tuning those skills to emphasize education about science as we prepare to work with the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

We are still exploring all those -ologies and have added two more, sociology and psychology, as we continue to learn about ourselves, our group and the people of Namibia.

The Wonderment

by Gary Wingenbach

Thank goodness for youthful reactions! 

Sometimes we (the royal “we,” for all those 29 and older) aren’t impressed by the unusual because we’ve “been there, done that.” Then, along comes an opportunity to watch someone young see something so extraordinarily unusual, that you can’t help but be excited for that person. Maybe it even causes you to think about your own extraordinary circumstances.

And so it was that I came to own a truly unique African experience, vis-à-vis, Beth’s reaction to a troupe of baboons. Baboons are, for argument’s sake, interesting creatures, but not the warm and fuzzy beings I’d go out of my way to see. They certainly don’t measure up to Black Jack and Holly Brown, two smiling, laughing Labradors who are tearing up my back yard while I’m away.

Yet, Beth didn’t care about equating baboons to lovable labs. She was in the moment, as it were, and I couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiastic praise for the lowly baboon.

Namibia 2012 isn’t my first, and I hope won’t be my last trip to somewhere cooler for the month of July. Yes, it’s been very cool, even cold, here as southern Africa grinds through the steely grip of winter. Texans suffer July’s increasing furnace, but here in Namibia it’s cold enough that my good friend Dr. Martin Schneider had to loan me his trusty sleeping bag. Ah, a reprieve from frostbitten nights at the University of Namibia’s Neudamm Campus!

Anyway, back to the baboons.

Beth Alexis is a dedicated graduate student at Texas A&M University. She has a bright future, as do many Aggies in the ALEC Department. Like other graduate and undergraduate students participating in the Namibia 2012 study abroad program, Beth is a first-time visitor to Namibia.

We all braced against a rough and dust-laden trail on the Neudamm Campus, when a troupe of baboons thought it a good idea to jump not one, but two fences, to cross our path as we made our way back to the Neudamm farm’s headquarters.

I saw the baboons running through the brush to beat our oncoming vehicle. Beth saw them as they scaled and/or jumped the fence in single bounds.

“This is so wild!” Beth screamed. “This is AWESOME!”

Her words were ringing in my ears as I watched the last baboon scurry safely into the brush.

I hadn’t really thought about it before that moment, but Beth’s words hit me like ton of bricks – “we’re in Africa!” You’re right Beth, this isn’t some sad zoo or game farm in Texas, WE ARE IN THE AFRICAN WILD! Scream it! Shout it out! Remind yourself and those around you about the wonderment of it all. Your experience is truly unique to you, but your reaction to it helped me remember the same feelings, thoughts, and reactions I had so many years ago in South Africa.

Thank you, Beth, for sharing your baboon enthusiasm. Thanks for making me smile and laugh. Thank you for reminding me why the wonderment of this experience should be shared, even the wonderment of encountering the lowly baboon in the African wilds.

A Brief Explaination

Howdy, all!

For the past few days, we have had little Internet connectivity, and our students have been busy creating posters and a brochure at Gobabeb. As a result, we are now just getting to post blogs from the past few days.

We hope you enjoy the two following blogs by Brandy Dangelmayr and Tray Heard and thank you for your patience.

With Open Arms and Kind Hearts

by Tray Heard

Before coming to Namibia, we all knew we would constantly be traveling, and that’s what made this opportunity so exciting. Moving often allows us to meet many people from different backgrounds and experience multiple regions around the country.

What we didn’t realize is how hard it would be to say goodbye and move to the next destination.

Leaving the Neudamm campus of The University of Namibia was a difficult task, for we had made it our home for a week and the people there were amazing surrogate parents for us. Amanda, Maggie, Imms and the entire staff made us feel incredibly welcomed while providing us with everything we could ask for.

Martin and Gabi Schneider also made a huge impression on our entire group; they welcomed us in to their home and prepared an amazing meal that we enjoyed as we watched the sun set over Windhoek.

Their cousin Bernd served as our incredible tour guide around the city after the original tour plans fell apart. We can now all understand why ALEC’s department head, Dr. Elliott, continues to come back to Namibia to spend time with their wonderful family.

As we settled in at Gobabeb, we all probably had thought that we wouldn’t be able to find wonderful people like those we had met in our first week. Of course, we were mistaken.

After being able to celebrate a birthday for our bus driver, Ephriam, and meeting the entire staff at Gobabeb, we have all come to the realization that every new person we meet in Namibia will be just as kind as the one that came before.

This is a country filled with amazing people who welcome each of us with open arms everywhere we go.

They have done whatever they can to make our experience here as carefree as possible. With each new relationship we make, we know it will continue to be hard to say goodbye.

Although we may feel a little down as we drive on to a new destination, we will never complain about having too many people care about us.

Our Time at Gobabeb

by Brandy Dangelmayr

The Namib Sand Sea desert was nominated by Namibia to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. World Heritage Sites are unique places of cultural or natural significance. It is the World Heritage Center’s mission to encourage international cooperation in the conservation of the world’s history. By establishing these sites, countries invite the world to experience their heritage.

The Namib Sand Sea was nominated as a natural site that meets all four specific World Heritage criterium, which puts it in the ranks of sites like the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef.

If the Sand Sea is adopted as a World Heritage Site, the local population would experience an influx of tourists. This increase would directly benefit job growth and the economy. The natural and spectacular dunes would also have better protection for future generations.

The Namib is also home to Gobabeb Training and Research Centre, which has been in operation for over 50 years. The center has a science-based education program for primary and secondary schools and wants to begin training teachers and community members in leadership. A three month research internship program for post-graduates is also offered.  Currently, nine research topics are underway. They focus on the unique plants and animals and ways to preserve the environment.

So, you may be asking yourself, what the heck are we doing in a desert in Namibia? Well, we are actually spending most of our time in the computer lab at Gobabeb.

While in the Namib, we were asked to help the center advertise and educate Namibians about the benefits of becoming a World Heritage Site and the uniqueness of the Namib Sand Sea.

Hopefully, next year we will see Gobabeb on the UNESCO World Heritage list as one of their new World Heritage Sites.

Keep following to hear more about the exciting adventures of the Namibian Wild Thornberrys!

Why Did the Warthog Cross the Road?

by Beth Alexis

I don’t have an answer for that joke yet, but I thought it would make a catchy title. If you have a good punch line, please leave a comment.

Being in Namibia is a bit like being behind the scenes of a wildlife documentary, or it feels like you’ve hopped into the movie the Lion King.

Thursday’s tour of a game farm was one of those standout moments where I was able to appreciate the unique and diverse wildlife that Namibia has to offer.

The game farm is connected with the University of Namibia Neudamm Campus. The cattle for the university graze on this land, and there are options to camp on the game reserve for the chance to view wildlife.

We rode through the reserve in trucks and saw so many different animals. There was a family of warthogs that we kept coming across; they were fast runners and had no problem sliding under fences.

It was fun to see some of the animals run on the road in front of us and hop over fences. I think that the waterbucks (a type of antelope) we saw should be heading to the Olympics because they were certainly proficient in the high jump. Another group of animals that crossed our path was a congress (group) of baboons!

While touring the game farm we had a chance to learn about the crop science department and visit the greenhouse-like huts where some crops are grown. Since it is winter in Namibia there wasn’t too much growing, but we did see carrots, spinach, and onions. The particular onion variety was called Texas Giant. The crops manager explained to us the rotational planting practices between tomatoes and legumes.

Near the end of the tour we were surprised by a special lunch. We got to experience a braai which is a Namibian barbecue. The staff made us Namibian beef steaks, mutton, and pork sausage.

Keep following us (granted that we have Internet access) as our adventures take us to Gobabeb!

Here Kitty, Kitty!

by Holly Van Groll

Wednesday was yet another great day in Namibia!

After another warm breakfast prepared by our wonderful friends in the kitchen, we made a trip over to the Ministry of Mines and Energy. We participated in a tour of the ministry’s geology and paleontology museum. Did you know some of the earliest fossils were found here in Namibia? Yes, you learn something new every day.

Later in the afternoon we headed out to the N/a’an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary for a carnivore feeding tour! N/a’an ku sê is heavily supported by the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, and we got to see several photos of staff and volunteers with Brad and Angelina.

The sanctuary was beautiful and was located just above a huge ravine, overlooking the many acres that make up the reserve. Once we had a few minutes to look around, we loaded up in large safari-style Land Rovers and headed out to feed some wildlife!

Among the many things we were able to see, the cheetahs and wild dogs were most definitely a highlight for the group. The cheetahs were so tame that one of our guides climbed the fence to return a piece of antelope meat that had been caught in a tree. The cheetahs purred and meowed like kittens, surprising us all.

The wild dogs were beautiful. With spotted legs that almost matched the cheetahs, and huge ears that looked like they belonged to foxes, the dogs were the most elaborately colored/patterned animal we have seen the entire time we’ve been in Africa.

Farmers have problems with these dogs stealing their livestock, so they trap them and take them to the sanctuary. They were very large dogs and had an elaborate pack hierarchy, much like wolves.

Our safari ride ended with a ride back to the main house with a beautiful sunset background. It still surprises us all when the temperature drops almost twenty degrees within the few minutes it takes for the sun to set.

We have had such a great time on this trip that it is hard to believe we have only been here just a few days! We have many more exciting adventures to look forward to!

High on the Hill: A Hero’s View

by Tray Heard

The scale and beauty of Heroes’ Acre, Namibia’s official war memorial, clearly shows the freshness of independence in the hearts and minds of this countries’ citizens. Perched like a bird’s nest high above the capital city of Windhoek, it can be seen for miles and offers an amazing view of the rolling hills all around. 

The towering 25 ft. bronze statue of Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first president, stands fiercely at the top of the memorial, looking out over the country he helped create. This figure is shadowed only by a gleaming white obelisk—a structure similar to our Washington Monument—rising nearly 100 ft. into the sky behind him; it is truly a sight to behold.

Completed only 10 years ago, very few of the memorial’s 174 gravesites are currently marked. Nine black marble tombstones show portraits of Namibia’s heroes that have already passed, political and military alike. As Namibia is now only 22 years removed from its independence from South Africa, it is understood that there are still many more heroes that have yet to earn their place in the annals of this young countries’ history.

Similar to many state-funded structures built across the world, Hero’s Acre has not escaped controversy. Contracted and constructed by a North Korean firm, Namibians and outsiders both struggle to understand the ruling parties’ decisions in creation and design.

Much can be said about the look of the memorial; marble, bronze and gold are all the eyes can see in sharp contrast to the dry green and brown hills that surround it. Memorials have often stood as bright and shining examples of how a population can show their pride to visitors and the world. With all its splendor, this memorial does not fail to stand up to that desire. 

Our First Day in Windhoek

by Leighton James

The first souvenir I will pack in my bag—the weather.  

It’s beautiful during the day. At night, the temperature drop is quite shocking though.  However, the blankets University of Namibia gave us to sleep with are very warm, which makes for a cozy night’s sleep. That’s purely opinion though.

Some stay colder than others. Thankfully, our excitement makes up for any heat we may lack. We carry it with us everywhere.

We started Monday by meeting with U.S. embassy staff. Much to our delight and surprise, Ambassador Wanda Nessbit joined us as well.

We learned about Namibia’s economy and politics and U.S.-Namibia relations. We also learned about how to get jobs in foreign relations. Our pre-departure research came in handy while at the visit. It prompted many insightful questions and allowed us to make the most of our time there.

After, we explored the city of Windhoek. Giraffes, elephants, and monkeys lined the streets—the carved miniature versions of course … not the real ones.

The city is similar to one you would find in the United States. There were malls, food courts, nice stores, modern buildings, and restaurants. We actually felt a little closer to home in town.  

The restaurant where we ate lunch looked like it walked out of an old western magazine. Old country music played in the background as we chose burgers, fajitas, fish, or other similar dishes.

Outside, there was heavy traffic and people everywhere. We even had to dodge a few cars. Pedestrians do not have the right-of-way here.

At the embassy, we learned that the wealthiest people here are 52 times richer than the poorest people. We definitely saw the wealthier population of Namibia while in Windhoek.  Later on our trip, we will get to see the poorer regions. I believe that since we saw the wealthier side first, we will have a greater understanding of the gap between the rich and poor when we encounter the other extreme.

Next, Sean Kalundu, who recently left Texas A&M University as a Fulbright Scholar, gave us a history lesson at Heroes’ Acre. Stairs lead visitors to a massive statue of Namibia’s first president, which overlooks the graves of Namibia’s heroes. Although we were out of breath when we reached the top, the hike was worth it. The cool, fresh air, the beaming sun, and the panoramic view were priceless.

Sean told us there is a lot of debate about who should be remembered at this memorial. Who should be defined as a hero? What makes someone a hero?

I frequently have to silently tell myself, “I’m in Africa.” It’s almost too hard to believe, and I have a feeling it will go by too quickly.  I didn’t know what to expect when I got here. Honestly, I don’t know what to expect the rest of the trip.

There’s only so much that can be learned from research and pre-planning. However, the introduction was capturing and has left us all wondering what will happen next.

How will our ideas be challenged?  What doors will this open?  What kind of appreciation will we have when we leave?  Will we be chased by a cheetah?

Stay updated to find out.

Willkommen!

by Holly Van Groll

After 30+ hours in transit, we Aggies have finally reached our destination, Windhoek, Namibia! It has been a long trip, with very little sleep, but we are all so happy to be here.

After our first flight landed in Frankfurt, Germany, we jumped on a train and headed downtown. Luckily, they were having a local festival in a large, open square, where we grabbed a quick lunch of delicious bratwurst! We took part in some great “people-watching” and soaked up some of the local culture.

On several occasions throughout our time in Frankfurt, I overheard several of my fellow students exclaim how surprised they were to encounter so many English-speaking locals. This is a great example of the globalization that is quickly become our norm today.

As an international agriculture graduate student, I have learned to recognize the importance of gaining these experiences abroad. Learning how similar and different our culture is to others is a great way to promote understanding and acceptance worldwide.

After lunch, we were able to hop onto a boat for a river tour on the Main River. We had a great time chatting and relaxing on the deck while learning about the local buildings and bridges, which were covered in very elaborate graffiti.

After the tour we headed back toward the train station but stopped for a few minutes to look around a local chapel. Just as we were leaving, a wedding party was starting to convene at the front steps of the church.

Once we arrived back at the train station, we had a few hours to regroup, clean up, and prepare for the next leg of our journey … Frankfurt, Germany, to Johannesburg, South Africa!