A Study Abroad Experience in South Africa

In a week's time I will be one of about fifteen Penn State students flying to Cape Town, South Africa to embark on a ten-week, experiential study abroad experience. The Parks and People Program will likely teach me more about conservation and development in ten weeks than I've learned in my life, and I will be sharing my experiences with OnEarth while I'm there!

How exactly we explore these themes in South Africa is flexible the curriculum is not set in stone, and that's half the fun. This much is certain: after seeing Cape Town and Robben Island, we will drive across the country to witness for ourselves the ecological diversity and profound economic stratification of the South African landscape. We will spend most of our time around the Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape Province, an area known for both its profound natural beauty and persistent economic poverty. We will explore the legacies of colonialism and apartheid in the South African landscape, the political and economic complexities of conservation in South Africa, and more. We will also work alongside students from various South African universities and whoever else may visit the reserve; last year students spent a week helping a team of marine scientists to catch and tag sharks in the Indian Ocean.No matter what we end up doing or learning, it's going to be quite a trip, and I hope to convey all the adventure and enlightenment I can in these postings. Stay tuned!