Why South Africa?

I’ve received a wide variety of responses when I have told people that I am going to spending my spring semester in South Africa. Some people are very excited for me and can appreciate everything that the country has to offer. On the other hand, some people simple cannot believe that out of all the countries in the world, I would willingly choose to spend over three months in South Africa. So, to all of you skeptics out there (I doubt too many people are reading this though), here is why I am studying abroad in South Africa:

1)      I wanted a field study program, as opposed to a program where you simply take classes at a university somewhere. I figure that I’ve spent the last two and a half years sitting in classrooms and listening to lectures, so doing fieldwork will be a change for me. As a biology major, I also feel that I can learn so much more by actually doing fieldwork instead of just learning concepts in class. Plus, who wouldn’t want to have class outside and be able to see wildlife on a daily basis?

2)      I wanted to be in a country that speaks English. Although I appreciate foreign languages, I do not particularly enjoy learning how to speak and understand them. It would have been an extra challenge to sit in a lecture where the professor was speaking in a different language. Although South Africa has 11 official languages, most people there speak English (with a great accent too).

3)      I wanted to go somewhere I might never have the chance to visit again. There is a good chance that this will be the only time in my life that I will be able to do research in national parks in South Africa and have the experience of learning everything first hand. Even if I visit South Africa at other times in my life, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

So for all of these reasons, I am currently spending my spring semester studying abroad in South Africa with the Duke University/Organization for Tropical Studies program. Along with a group of 24 other students, I will be travelling all over South Africa while learning about the ecology, conservation and history of the country. Throughout the semester I'll bin Ezemvelo, Nylsvley, Skukuza, HaMakuya, Mapungubwe, DeHoop, Pretoria and Cape Town. Although internet will not be available at all of the locations, I’ll do my best to update this blog/post some pictures.