Student Introductions (4/8)

Paige and Joyce of tent "Kudu Outta' Space," will now introduce themselves and give thanks to the people and organizations who helped fund their study abroad trip!

My name is Paige Lambert, and I’m a third year Environmental Science student from Sugar Land, Texas. While many aspects of environmental science interest me, I’m particularly passionate about climate change, sustainability, and environmental monitoring, as well as the interactions between a society’s culture and its surrounding environment. Graduation still seems to be a far away thing, but if you asked me now for my plans I’d say I’m going to pursue a career in advocacy and outreach – something where I can travel and interact with a wide variety of people. My experience with study abroad in Botswana has been nothing but positivity, good vibes and great learning experiences. I’d like to thank the Rappaport Foundation for their generous donation of funds to my studies, as well as my family and friends for their financial and moral support! Hook ‘em!

Dumelang tsala yame! My name is Joyce Zifei Jiang. I’m a fourth year Geography and French major with a UTeach Liberal Arts and Education minor. I love music and piano. I had some really peaceful times just listening to music while seeing the sun falling over the horizon at our camp, the Thakadu camp. I chose to study abroad in Botswana because I am always fascinated by how local people in Africa interact with the beautiful natural environments that surround them. I’m also excited to gain some fieldwork experience and methods that could contribute to my work in the future. And of course, I’m very excited to see more wild animals on the safari trip. I wish to thank my parents sincerely for supporting my dreams and all. I would also like to thank COLA, International Office and Study Abroad Office for all the help. Lastly, I wish to share a little poem about flowers that I read in the field- ‘Standing quietly by the fence, you smile your wondrous smile. I am speechless, and my senses are filled by the sound of your beautiful song, beginningless and endless. I bow deeply to you.’ Thank you.

San Cultural Center

Today we visited the Kuru Development Trust's San Cultural Center in D'kar. The trust is trying to preserve the history and cultural identity of the San people through art and the trust's museum. We learned about the current debate regarding indigenous land rights and economic development.

The center not only includes an artists' workshop and a museum, it also focuses on the preservation of the Naro language. Unfortunately, we will be missing the annual San dance festival held in August.

 Joyce learning about the traditional stories told through paintings.

Melissa reading about how the San used their environment for resources.

Justyn and Leigh making friends with two elderly San artists. 

Everyone looking great in D'kar.

Everyone looking great in D'kar.

Student Presentation (Justyn)

Today, we had our first of 16 student article presentations. At the beginning of our trip, each student selected a scientific article relating to Botswana. Throughout the remainder of the program, students will be presenting on their chosen article; offering a summary of the paper including information on the methods used, results, and conclusions. Without powerpoint to rely on, the students simply use a whiteboard and marker for their presentations.

Justyn presented today and raised the bar to a high level. Her presentation was an introduction to the environmental change over the past 200 years in Botswana.

Justyn and her impressive map of Botswana.

Dr. Thoralf explaining things that were not covered in the article.

Student Introductions (3/8)

Next, Preston and Clinton, who have named their tent "Kalahari Dream Machine," will introduce themselves and thank those that have helped fund and support their study abroad experience!

I am currently a senior majoring in Geography and the Environment. My academic interests are focused on the sustainability and geomorphology of coastlines. I try to stay involved with the department by acting as Vice President for the Geography Society. After receiving my bachelor’s degree I plan to either continue my academic career, or receive a government position in environmental protection. I would like to thank my parents for giving me the funds to be able to take part in this amazing trip.

My name is Clinton Burgos, I’m a Computer Science major and a musician by hobby. I became interested in this program because of the unusual location and the focus on climate change – a subject I am not very well exposed to in my major, but also one I believe is important to understand. So far it’s been a great experience and I’m glad I’m here! I want to thank my parents for making my participation possible.

Student Introductions (2/8)

We will now have Leigh and Justyn, residents of "The House of Quartz," introduce themselves and thank the people and organizations that helped make this trip possible for them.

I am an International Relations and Global Studies major specifying in African Studies and Environmental Studies. I’ve wanted to go to Africa since I was in middle school and the fact that I am here living in a tent and studying environmental issues blows my mind that it’s actually happening. This wouldn’t be possible without the financial help of COLA, CSR, and Panhellenic Scholarships, and of course the love and support of my family. Ke a leboga from Botswana to all y’all in Texas!

Dumelang! My name is Justyn Kase Huckleberry, I am an Environmental Science major on the Biology track. I came to Africa to get away from industrialized America and experience the bush. I plan to go to graduate school and am fully embracing the opportunity to do hands on research in my field of interest. I would not be here if it weren’t for my parents, the summer faculty-led scholarship, the College of Liberal Arts scholarship, and the International Education Fee scholarship and would like to send many thanks. Botswana is beautiful and will now forever hold a place in my heart.

Student Introductions (1/8)

All the students on the 2014 Botswana Study Abroad Program will introduce themselves, giving them the opportunity to thank the many people and organizations who helped them with funding and support in order to make their study abroad experience possible. We will introduce one tent at a time. We start with Will and Jake who live in the "Geohut 42A" tent (self-named).

I'm Will Crites-Krumm and I'm a senior Geography major with a concentration in sustainability and biogeography. As may be obvious from my concentrations, I'm especially interested in nature conservation and environmental justice. I came on this program not only to travel overseas for my first time as an adult, but to see firsthand how conservation efforts affect the livelihoods of the people closest to them and to learn not from afar and above but from within. Plus, it's awesome career experience doing hands-on research. So far I've had an incredible trip. Without exaggeration, each morning that I get to watch the sun come up over the seemingly endless expanse of the bush I am a little bit more glad to be alive. Even after marching out into the thorny maze of Acacia trees for another day of field work. Oh, and the photography (my passion) is spectacular (I can't wait to get out on safari). So for all of this soul-filling fun, thank you endlessly Mom, Dad, Susan, and Erica for helping me get here. Because here is a place I am really glad to be.

I'm Jake Pflasterer. I'm a geography major wrapping up my last few credits. This program has already enriched me in so many ways, I couldn't possibly list them all. The hands on research (of which there are several hours of every day) is equipping me with a real and applicable skill set, which, in addition to the lectures and interaction with locals is giving me new things to digest daily. I feel I will return to Texas a much more well rounded and knowledgable person better able to find solutions to our collective problems. Thank you COLA (UT Collage of Liberal Arts) and my family for empowering me to do this.