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Howdy!
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Welcome to the web site of Texas A&M University's 2009 Study Abroad Program. This program will take us to South Africa and Botswana where we will study Biodiversity Conservation and Nature-Based Tourism. Our program actually began during the Spring 2009 semester with weekly meetings where we became acquainted with each other and learned quite a bit about our destination. Our adventure begins when we leave Houston on Saturday, May 30 and ends on our return Sunday, June 28, 2009. While the trip itself will end then, we are sure that the lessons we learn will remain with us for our lifetime.
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Biodiversity Conservation and Nature-based Tourism are attracting increasing interest worldwide, but nowhere more so than in Southern Africa, a region of high biodiversity and spectacular landscapes. Large conservation areas, such as the Kruger National Park and the Okavango Delta, provide natural reservoirs for the diverse flora and fauna. Such biodiversity can provide substantial economic opportunities through tourism for people who co-exist with wildlife on private land or communal areas.
The objectives of this course are to provide students an opportunity to gain:
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An appreciation for the high biodiversity in Southern Africa;
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An appreciation of the cultures and history of the people of Southern Africa;
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An understanding of the complex interactions between the ecological and human dimensions of biodiversity conservation and nature-based tourism in a developing country; and
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An understanding of the role of public, private and communal land and their inhabitants in large scale conservation initiatives in Southern Africa.
The program is conducted primarily through field trips where we will be provided with hands-on learning opportunities in two eco-regions of Southern Africa: Semi-arid savannas and wetlands. In-country travel will be by land using vans and four wheel drive vehicles. We will be spending a significant amount of time on the road.
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Here is an interesting write-up in the Texas A&M AgNews about the South African Study Abroad Program including pictures from previous trips.
The photos on this web site were taken by Dr. Urs Kreuter on previous trips. We will be adding our own photos once we begin the updates of our journey.
Web site designed by Marian E. Higgins, CMGC Foundation | 
