Study Abroad

Packing Our Flexibility

5Aug

International travel is always an interesting experience. Nothing ever goes completely as planned, something unexpected occurs, plans change. Dr. Wingenbach specifically told each of us to “pack our flexibility” for those reasons. Without our flexibility and willingness to go with the flow, this trip would have been a completely different experience! The misunderstandings, misadventures, and unique experiences just enriched our trip a little bit further.

I definitely packed my flexibility and it was, in fact, the only thing of mine to arrive in Windhoek….it took four days for my luggage to arrive. Missing luggage was not the greatest start to the trip, but my amazing classmates stepped up and loaned me items until my things finally arrived.

While her luggage and all supplies made it safely to Namibia, Laura came with only half a sleeping bag…go figure, the tallest student on our trip accidentally bought a child size sleeping bag. Needless to say, many jokes and laughs were shared over her purchase and watching her demonstrate how short it was on her. Laura was also the one who thought to buy some entertainment – a soccer ball named Wilson. For seven college kids, we played with the ball a lot. Unfortunately, Wilson disappeared somewhere in Swakopmund (foul play by Dr. Wingenbach is suspected). Not to worry though, we bought seven more just for safe measure.

Darren, Executive Intern aka Tobin suffered his fair share of African mishaps as well. Darren has a habit of leaving important items – cameras, iPhone, sunglasses, and toiletries. You name it, Darren left it somewhere in Namibia. Luckily, he has eight sets of eyes watching his back! He also blew a few circuits, tripped over a pole, and did NOT make a group of tourists laugh at his interesting jokes and blues music. Darren struggled a bit at times.

The bus. Our trusty bus driver, Dennis, and our bus have been through the TAMU whirlwind as well. Luckily, Dennis is a really cool driver and could handle our rowdy group. We’ve had University of Namibia guards join our bus to provide security on a tour, our chef hitch a ride into town with us, roadside bathroom breaks, angry street vendors almost throwing rocks, and even two different (and smaller) replacement buses by the last week. The bus has even seen some decent wipeouts – Trotter just falling backwards during our Etosha safari and I happened to slide out of my seat during a nap. Oh the stories Dennis must be telling his family about our group and our bus time!

Our trip has been full of laughs, adventures, and amazing visits; however, one of them required our utmost flexibility to survive. Our Ogongo game farm walk (aka wake up a 6am, walk through the farm, and see zero animals). Not many bright-eyed students that morning! After the hundreds of animals we saw in Etosha, nothing else could possibly top it. (Picture thanks to Dr. Wingenbach).

We’ve shared many meals together on this trip and two things are very apparent: we are coffee addicts and we need to double-check the salt or sugar situation more thoroughly. Rarely has there been real coffee provided at meals, but instead we get imitation, powdered coffee packets. We’ve gone through bowls of powdered “coffee” every day and I’m pretty sure real coffee will be one of the first things all of us have when we return home. We’ve put salt in coffee and sugar on wrong foods too. Definitely learned that lesson the hard way!

Last, but not least, Africa time. The pace of life is much slower here and as Americans, I think that’s a hard concept to grasp at times. We run from place to place and hurry through life; well, Africa time doesn’t allow us to do that. Dinner takes three hours, Internet speeds are sloth-like, drive times are rough estimates, walking is slower, greetings and pleasantries longer. Africa time has been challenging at times, but the change of pace can also be a welcomed change.

Through the ups and downs of this trip, our spirit and drive kept us going. Though some moments were a bit stressful, the greater picture and the stories those moments created are far more important. Keeping our flexibility and sense of humor (bad puns and all) has made this trip spectacular. I don’t know if I’ve ever laughed so much in my life as I have while on this trip.

Our time in Namibia is coming to an end, but the memories will last a lifetime. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to travel and learn with this group, visit world famous locations, and contribute to respected organizations. Namibia and all the hospitable people we’ve met during the past three weeks have certainly left their mark in my life. My classmates, Laura, Trotter, Micah, Kelsey, Logan, and Tara, and instructors, Tobin and Dr. Wingenbach, are all remarkable people. It has been a hilarious, fun, beautiful journey to travel with them and bond with them. Namibia and the ALEC Study Abroad Group will forever be cherished memories and a true highlight to my Texas A&M experience.

Etosha Park

1Aug

by Kelsey Smith

Our time in Etosha Park included seeing 3 out of the “Big 5”, a Sunday morning traffic jam of Elephants, my newfound love for Giraffes, and more Springbok than the number of bad jokes that have been told on this trip. On second thought, disregard that last comment. We have experienced a lot of extraordinary things, but there is a line between extraordinary and impossible that we can only get so close to crossing.

Before coming to Namibia I had imagined seeing many of the stereotypical animals that are so commonly associated with Africa. Those thoughts, however, seemed to come and go quickly because I don’t think I honestly expected to see the wildlife that we experienced at Etosha. Seeing each type of animal took us on a continuous roller coaster of excitement that began early Friday morning and continued until we headed for Ogongo on Sunday.

Each animal offered a unique sight because of the beautiful details in their size, shape, color, and movement. Seeing a little Jackal became a familiar sight, especially for our friend Trotter who took to its cute pet-like characteristics and tried to feed it a dinner roll. A less familiar sight that our bus driver Dennis enjoys seeing most of all each time he brings a group to Etosha was the Rhino. We were fortunate enough to see its historical and ancient movements that showed both strength and grace at a watering hole one night.

Zebras were not in short supply. The details in each Zebra’s appearance begin with definitive black stripes that perfectly shape around each one’s face and continue in the same matter throughout the rest of its body. We were also lucky enough to see one male Lion laying under the sun, which created a golden shimmer on its mane.

Before coming to Namibia I was not familiar with some of the animals that we have seen during our time here. Names like “Kudu” and “Gemsbok” were of another language to me, and their appearances seemed even more foreign. Sights of mule and white-tailed deer that are common to us in Texas don’t offer much comparison to the long spiraled horns of a Kudu or the size of its vaguely striped body. Each time we see a Gemsbok it never grows old to look at its beautiful black and white detailed face and straight, spear-like horns.

One of the most amazing sights at Etosha, and maybe even for the entire trip, were 12 powerful, yet gentle Elephants that silently walked up while we were observing a watering hole. The baby of their herd energetically followed its mother around with an unconditional excitement for life. Other Elephants whipped their trunks back to throw clouds dirt on wet skin under the warm sunshine. Each member of the herd enjoyed independently playing in the water and quenching its thirst, but the reliance they had on each other showed as they fluently moved together to and from the watering hole.

Last, but definitely not least, was the Giraffe. I’m sure each person in the bus could tell you about my overreaction when we saw them drinking at a watering hole for the first time. I have seen Giraffes before, but it wasn’t until I saw the awkward splits they have to do when bending down to get a drink of water that I fell in love. I don’t know what it is, but my heart now melts when I see this beauty of a stretch animal with a long and lanky physique that leads up to big, beautiful eyes. Maybe it spurs from my appreciation of being able to relate to another creature that looks extremely awkward when they run. I don’t know. Whatever the case, my next mission is to find a plane big enough to get my next pet back to College Station, TX so that I can introduce my dog to her new brother or sister.

Oshini

31Jul

By: Tobin Redwine

It’s written on walls, and buildings. We see it spray painted on the shambled brick shanties that dot the landscape of northern Namibia. O-S-H-I-N-I. I tried using context clues to get a grip on it. What could be so common that we see it almost as frequently as the shebeens and barbershops in this area? Is it a business? A restaurant?

My inquisitive nature got the best of me. While passing through Oshakati, I saw two buildings, back to back, in competing business parking lots. Both had OSHINI spray painted in large letters. I asked our driver, Dennis, “What is Oshini? is that the toilet?”

He looked confused, and then he thought for a little bit. “Oshini is hard to explain in English. It is a kind of wood used to grind millet.”

I thought back to our visit to the Nakambale mission museum, where we entered the working homestead occupied by Johanna and her family. They used giant wooden poles to grind up millet in a hole in the ground in traditional Ndonga fashion. Is that Oshini? Tall wooden poles? Are those buildings also housing holes for grinding millet?

Dennis continued to explain, “Oshini is also Oshini. It means truth.”

Here in the Osumusati region of Namibia, poverty is high. The unemployment rate is above 30%. The HIV infection rate is staggering in comparison to southern Namibia statistics. Land ownership is communal, tribal governances control purchases and schedules of homesteaders, shepherding communal herds of goats, donkeys and cows across roadsides. The landscape is busy with animals, disrepair, and people walking in all directions. Here in all the bustle of survival in the arid north, people feel compelled to write Oshini in huge block letters atop their buildings.

What is Oshini? It is a core value. At Texas A&M our values line the walls of the MSC, appear outside the Clayton Williams Former Student Building, and mark the bleachers of the soccer stadium; leadership, selfless service, integrity, excellence, and honor are carved into the rock around our campus. Those values define our community, our spirit, and our people.

Here, Oshini shows up on walls, buildings, and signs. Oshini. Truth.

Oshini is a waitress named Luise. The first night she served us dinner, we were leaving and she came running out the door behind us. She was holding $50 US in her hand. $50 US is equivalent to about $500 Namibian. She knew the Americans had to have dropped it, and she chased us down to hand it back to the student in our group who had dropped it.

Oshini.

After dinner, an old nylon string guitar would get passed around and I sang Roger Miller and Creedance Clearwater Revival to the desert. I finished a particularly lackluster version of Bad Moon Rising, and I heard thunderous applause from the door behind me. There was Luise, hands above her head, applauding.

Oshini.

When we left, she handed me a CD. She is a singer as well. Without expecting anything in return, she gave me primitively recorded album; Uuyelele. She sings gospel songs in her mother tongue. Overcome with gratitude, we gave her a t-shirt a student brought, along with a few other gifts we had for her. She told us it was the only thing form America she had ever held.

Oshini.

At the Ogongo campus of the University of Namibia, we got a tour from two students, Linda and Dash. These young ladies are studying crop science. They showed us the campus and the farm. They were patient with our questions, laughed at our awe of the termite mounds, and shared their culture and research with us. Linda is studying the effect that watering practice has on a maize crop. When I told her that her work was a-Maize-ing, she did a double take, and then threw back her head and laughed. Maybe it was at the joke or maybe it was at the groans from the rest of the group. Either way, a good joke goes a long way.

Oshini.

At the Nakambale community project, we entered the homestead of Johanna. She is 83 years old. She was born in the hut she now lives in, serving as the Matriarch of her community. She shared her millet with us, opened her home, and showed us their way of life, that starts with grinding meal using giant wooden poles that would give most full-grown, beard-wearing American men a serious shoulder problem.

Oshini.

At the Namibia Tannery and Leather Company, Kumbalani walked us through his factory. He talked about the process by which leather is made, and the economics of his business. He was most genuine when he talked about the treatment of animals in a humane way. He showed us a hide of a cow that had been branded more than 20 times. He flipped the hide over and you could see the brand marks, scarring all the way through the cow’s hide, in more than 20 spots.

Oshini.

I have thought a lot about that word, and the core values of the people we are meeting. Here is what they have taught me:

No matter your station in life, hard work is the foundation that feeds us, keeps us alive, and builds our community. Oshini is both the wood that Johanna uses to grind meal, and the truth that keeps her family working and living.

Our actions have repercussions. Our works leave marks deep beneath our hides and below the skin of others. Oshini is the truth by which our actions speak about our character.

Kindness to strangers is as universal as the pentatonic scale. Music is as universal as laughter. And everybody jams on CCR. Oshini.

Behind the Scenes

26Jul

By: Tobin Redwine

Imagine the sand shining in the sun, warmth radiating through the soles of your bare feet. Imagine looking in all directions and seeing the curve of the earth. Imagine your stomach dropping at the emptiness around you. Imagine the overwhelming emotions of gratitude, solitude, reflection, accomplishment and wonder that swim in your mind. Now imagine trying to capture all of that emotion and feeling in one image, from the top of a dune in the Namib Sand sea. That is the challenge that our students face.

Images are powerful, but do they match the power of our imaginations? Truly great images are not simply shot from the hip in a haphazard, luck of the draw fashion. Great images take planning, care, visual literacy, creativity, attention to detail, and patience.

Over the past couple of weeks, our students have shot more than 20,000 images. They have edited and selected with care, removing imperfections and identifying the quality works. After hours and kilometers (we are still learning to speak metric system), we delivered 437 images of Namib desert flora, fauna, landscape and scenery to the researchers and scientists at the the Gobabeb Desert Research and Training Centre. We will deliver a hand picked selection of 20 high quality images to N/a’an Ku Se Wildlife Refuge. We have shared and interacted with nature, people, culture and spirit across thousands of kilometers in Namibia.

Here is a behind the scenes look at how they go through the process of capturing some of the images you can see on this blog, and on our facebook page. Students have mastered photography techniques such as manipulating depth-of-field, capturing motion, seeking the best light, and navigating the features and capabilities of their equipment. Not only do they quickly ascertain the proper techniques to employ in any given scenario, they do so in the face of unquestionable danger.

Teamwork is essential. It is common for students to be scattered around a site,lenses to their faces, shouting aperture settings and shutter speeds to one another. Discussions about leading lines and framing are common. Students assist each other by pointing out angles, directing shadows and people, holding wayward limbs and leaves, and even braving the unknown by scooping up a burrowing desert beetle so that a classmate can get the shot just right.

Photographers’ schedules are not dictated like the rest of the world. We seek the bestlight. Here in the arid lands of Namibia, the sun rises between 5 and 6 AM. While much of the staff at each place we stay is asleep, we are scouring the countryside in the warm tones of the early morning light. Similarly, our students declined group meals and volleyball outings to capture the fading rays of the setting sun on the sands of the Namib. Even those hours fail in comparison to the dedication they showed when, two consecutive mornings, the rose as early as 4:00 AM to get a shot of the blanket of stars in the desert. We had a narrow window of time between when the full moon set and the sun rose to get a clear, unpolluted night sky.

Whether they were chasing luminescing scorpions in the riverbed before sunrise, staring unflinchingly into the mouth of lions, or scaling the towering dunes of the desert, this hearty group of artists and adventurers continues to remind me of the beauty in our world, and the power we all have to relish in the miracles of each moment. I am lucky, I am blessed, and I am grateful to be part of a world so big, and to see our students sharing it in such a unique way.

One of those blessings is to see the students learning and mastering these techniques. They speak like photographers with decades of experience. One of our students was approached by a researcher at Gobabeb with questions about his camera. The student was able to explain the exposure triangle, principles of composition, and basic photography techniques in a concise, impromptu crash course. Learning is truly alive with this group. They were even asked to Gobashare. A group of scientists and researchers at the centre asked them to give a talk about their group, their photos, and the process by which they were collected for the archives of the newly-deemed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our group presented their efforts to a global community, speaking to EU delegates, international collaborators, and worldtravelers. This led to a discussion about night photography, career choices, theory and principles, and more. The Oxford researcher who was sharing some of his research after our group even remarked about the quality of our students’ photos, commenting that they were a tough act to follow.

These accolades do not come easy. Dedication, patience and planning are the tools of the trade. These Aggies are no stranger to those values.

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!

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.