University of Namibia

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.

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.

Different Yet the Same

24Jul

by Brandy Dangelmayr

Being at the University of Namibia’s Ogongo campus has been quite the change for all of us. Traveling through Namibia from the Neudamm campus to Gobabeb to Etosha, we had not had a lot of one-on-one interaction with people from Namibia, until we got here!

The campus was quiet the first day we got here, but as the students got back from their four-week holiday, there has been constant music, basketball and soccer games, talking, and laughing.

Don’t get me wrong. We have been blessed the whole time we have been in Namibia. The hospitality has been wonderful! BUT it is nice to finally talk to college students who are going through the same everyday things that we are.

In Ogongo, we have learned quite a bit! We now know that it is rude to simply say “Hi!” when passing someone. Instead, you should great each other with a “Hello, how are you?” and from there start a conversation.

They even taught us one of their games, netball, which is only played by girls. They explained that “it’s the opposite of basketball,” though I’m not quite sure what that means.

I could name about 50 differences between students in the United States and students here in Namibia, but instead I want to focus on one specific similarity, which is that we are all trying to become better versions of ourselves. It doesn’t matter what language we speak, what village we are from or what food we prefer; it boils down to our end goal.

As I talked to a fellow student, I quickly learned that we are looking toward our future and trying to learn as much as we can in the little time we have in college.

All of us have a passion for agriculture and the benefits and opportunities that it offers. That is one huge surprise that I have found on this trip, and it is probably the most comforting.

We don’t need to be intimidated of each other, because, hey, we are in the same boat. It’s really amazing how people from across the globe can be different yet the same!

Tradition and Transition

23Jul

by Samantha Alvis

I’m excited to have the opportunity to share this country with my fellow students. I was lucky enough to travel to Namibia last summer and promptly fell in love with this country. With a landscape that reminds me of my native Arizona and wonderful, welcoming people, what’s not to love about Namibia?

When I opened the map in front of the group and traced our journey over our first 15 days, I think it’s safe to say that everyone was surprised by just how much of Namibia that we have seen in our time here.

Currently, we’re in a region I was lucky enough to visit in 2011. Three days ago, we arrived at the University of Namibia Ogongo Campus*, in the far north of the country. It’s quite the change from some of our earlier locations. We viewed the city life in Windhoek, the desert life at Gobabeb, experienced a bit of the seaside in Swakopmund and had a taste of tourism as we journeyed through Etosha National Park.

The north is different. Most of Namibia’s 2.1 million people live in the north. We began to notice this as we drove through towns like Ondangwa and Oshikati and experienced rush hour for the first time. We saw it the number of people enjoying a beverage at the 100s of tiny shabeens (bars), with names like New Paradise and New Life, that line the highways and towns.

A large majority of the north is communal lands, with a communal farming and ranching system. Namibia’s north country gives a new meaning to open range … we realized this as we stopped multiple times for cattle, goat and donkey to cross the highway.

And in these communal lands, you also see communal living. We stopped at the Nakambale Traditonal Homestead and Museum on our way to Ogongo to learn about life in a traditional homestead. In a homestead, you may find 3-4 generations of a family living together. Different family members have huts to sleep in, the kitchen is outdoors and at night, the livestock are brought in for safekeeping.

As you drive along the roads, you’ll find that many of the homesteads are in transition. Among the traditional thatch huts and wooden fences, you’ll find cinder block structures and aluminum fencing.

Tradition and transition – these are two common themes I see in this country I love. While Namibia is a young country (gaining independence from South Africa just 22 years ago), it is still a country rich in tradition. It’s also a country in transition, trying to set an example for the continent in how to manage lands, educate people and create opportunities for future generations.

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*If you’re trying to follow us on a map, find the Angola-Namibia border and look for Ogongo along the C-46 highway between Outapi and Oshakati.

The Namibia Phenomenology…

21Jul

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

21Jul

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.

With Open Arms and Kind Hearts

17Jul

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.