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My name is Byron Barber and my major is Wildlife & Fisheries. Why do I want to go to Africa? From the time that I was a young child, wildlife and the wonders of nature have been my passion. I have always dreamed of studying in Africa with it’s signature species and massive biodiversity. For most of my life I’ve known that I wanted to pursue a career working with animals. Initially I wanted to work in the field traveling around the world studying various creatures.
I met some graduate students who mentored me and helped me figure out career options. They helped me realize the possibilities out there for someone in my field. It is an experience I am sure to remember for the rest of my life and I am so thankful that there is this program available for my field. This program would definitely better prepare me for a future in wildlife services. |
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Howdy! I’m Sara Boeding and I’m a junior (class of 2011) accounting major from Spring, TX. I want to go to Africa because I wanted to do something a little different for my study abroad trip. I’m a business major, so a trip to Africa is a little outside of my major, but that’s what I love about it. This trip offered an experience so different from any others that I couldn’t pass up this once-in-a-lifetime chance. |
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Howdy!
I’m Nichole Dawson from Ft. Worth, TX. I have a wide range of hobbies from camping and being outdoors to swimming competitively to just having a girls day. My major is Rangeland and Ecology Management, class of 2010. I’m very excited about this trip! It will probably be an “once-in-a-lifetime” trip that is also related to my field of study!
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Howdy! My name is Kelly Gale. I am a Biomedical Science and Animal Science double major from Pasadena, Texas. I have always wanted to visit Africa because of the wide array of wildlife. Every since I could remember I have always had a deep fondness for animals of all kinds. For that specific reason I want to become a veterinarian and some day open up my own animal rehabilitation center. I am also very interested in photography and cannot wait to get the opportunity to shoot some photos of the wildlife and different cultural aspects in Africa.
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I'm Ashley Kay Gilliland, a senior Agricultural Leadership and Development major from Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania. I came to Texas A&M from central PA in hopes to gain a more diverse education in Conservation and Agriculture. Last year I spent 7 months in Washington, DC working on policy and gun laws for Senator Larry Craig. Safari Club International has been an influential part of my life and their dedication to teaching future generations of hunters and conservationist made this trip possible. After graduation I hope to attend law school and plan to work as an advocate for hunting and conservation.
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My name is Josette Marie Gonzales and I am a Sophomore Communication Major with a minor in Women's Studies and Film Studies. I have chosen to study abroad in Africa in order to gain a better perspective of how other countries and cultures live day to day without the resources that the United States has been blessed with. I have never been out of the country and I feel that South Africa is the best place to go. I chose to go through the school because I felt that it would be a wonderful opportunity to go with a professor who knows a lot about South Africa, I will learn so much more than if I had gone by myself. I am excited to experience South Africa first hand, picture books, and movies will no longer be my only point of reference to South Africa. Here I come South Africa. :) |
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My name is Colt Granquist, I am the proudest member of the fighting A&M class of 2010. I am an Agriculture Leadership major with a field of study in criminal justice. I have worked for the City of College Station for 2 years and am very excited to take a month off to see South Africa.
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I'm Marian Higgins, and I'm what the University likes to call a "non-traditional" student. I'm a Master's Candidate in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences with a strong interest in habitat conservation. I'm looking forward to seeing first-hand the conservation strategies being developed by individuals and communities in a developing country endowed with such biological diversity. A trip to Africa has always been on my Dream List, but always in the "never going to happen" column, so this trip is a life-long dream come true for me. Since my husband David's dream list does not include Africa, he agreed I should go on this trip, as long as I bring home an "A" for the course! |
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My name is Kelly Hoffman, and I am a Senior Ecological Restoration major from Copperas Cove, TX. I am going to graduate in May of 2010 and hope to enter the Peace Corps shortly thereafter. I want to be stationed in Africa, so I am going on this study abroad so that I can experience the continent firsthand and just get my feet wet. Plus, I hear Doc Krueter kindof knows what he is doing when it comes to teaching, so that influenced my decision to some degree. I am pumped about going and cannot wait to get incountry with y'all. Until then... |
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Howdy! My name is Callie Joyce and I am a senior, studying Agriculture Communications & Journalism. I have wanted to study abroad for as long as I can remember, although, I wasn't always sure where I wanted to study. I believe it is very important for people to become as well-rounded as they possibly can, and traveling abroad is one way you can definitely do that. I have traveled to Italy and Germany in the past and I truly enjoyed both places; the great attractions, the people, the culture, food, music, and entertainment. In choosing this study abroad program I considered all of those things. I knew this would be an opportunity of a lifetime and that it would help me to become a more well-rounded individual. I have also recently started playing around with photography and I can't wait to see what kind of awesome photos I can add to my portfolio. I am very excited to see what this trip will bring for me, as well as everyone else going! |
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Vinny Oliver
Rangeland Ecology Major
Hometown: St. Cloud Florida
Purpose for trip attendance: Exposure to diverse ecosystems and management techniques in foreign countries. |
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Howdy, I'm Brandon Steinberg. I am currently a Junior Animal Science Major. I a grew up in Burnsville, MN and then joined the Marine Corps, I got out in 2007 and started at Texas A&M. The main reason I am going to Africa is to see the wildlife. It has always been a dream to go to Africa and hunt. I will have to settle for shooting with my camera but I'm sure it will still be a great time. I also am very interested in learning about different cultures and believe the best way to do that is to spend your time in the country interacting with the people as much as possible, rather than spending a week in a tourist destination for a vacation. |
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Howdy! I'm Marilyn Leigh Stone, a Junior at Texas A&M class of 2010, majoring in Wildlife & Fisheries Science.
I enjoy all animals, traveling, art, fashion modeling and taking any great opportunity. I'm going to miss family and friends in Cypress, TX. God's blessing our group being able to experience Southern Africa and I pray for an exciting and safe Summer trip. I hope I see everything I can and don't buy too many souvenirs... |
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My name is Rachel Teator and I am a junior Biology major from Arlington, Texas. I love sports, especially soccer, volleyball, and football and I'd rather spend my time exercising and being outside than doing anything else. I love being in the water, both at the beach and/or the lake and my favorite time of the year is summer because I love going wakeboarding with my friends. I am a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and enjoy all the leadership positions and community involvement I currently have. I have been researching study abroad for over a year now and came across the South Africa program by chance with my sister at Christmas and quickly figured out that was where I needed to spend my first time out of the country. It also fits with my previous internships and interests and is applicable to curriculum within my major. I'm very excited to see an entirely new part of the world and get to spend my 21st birthday there and also get to make new friends in such a unique experience!
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My name is Kara Thompson and I’m from a small coastal town in South Texas. Back at home we have quite a few pets but my four pugs (Boogie, Gumbo, Junebug and Kiwi) are the loves of my life. I enjoy being outside, playing sports (especially soccer), reading and traveling. I am double-majoring, possibly double-degreeing, in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (Vertebrate Zoology Option) and Ecological Restoration. In the future, I would like to go to graduate school here at Texas A&M to pursue Ecological Restoration and I would also like to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. Animals are my passion and ultimately I would like to help them by restoring and improving their habitats. My dream job would be to travel around the world, working out in the field and having a hands-on career with National Geographic or a similar institution.
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My name is Natasha VanMetre and I am an Agricultural Science major. I am the proudest member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2005! Whoop!
I left A&M in '02 to intern at Disney World, then was a Flight Attendant for a year. I earned my Associates Degree from Lonestar College in 2007, and came back to A&M in January of 2008. I will graduate in the summer of 2010 and I plan to teach Agricultural Education.
I chose to go to South Africa because I wanted to study abroad and the program really interested me. I am excited to learn about the effects of nature and tourism on the environment. |
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Howdy everyone, I'm Katy Weber from Gatesville, Texas. I am a senior Rangeland Ecology and Management major with a minor in Agronomy. I am active in the TAMU Range Club, Soil and Water Conservation Society, and Alpha Zeta, as well as being a member of the Texas A&M Plant Team. I am looking forward to visiting South Africa to learn about all of the different cultures, as well as just enjoying the beautiful country. |
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Jay Woolmington
Hometown: Buena Vista, Colorado
Major: Renewable Natural Resources
Future Goals: I am looking into becoming a wildland firefighter when I am done with school.
Other summer plans: Working on my ranch in Colorado
Hobbies: Playing sports, fly fishing, hiking, riding horses
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Dr. Urs Kreuter is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at Texas A&M University. He received a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Natal, South Africa, and a Ph.D. from Utah State University. Dr. Kreuter was born in Tanzania and grew up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) before going to university in South Africa to study. After graduation he worked as a Research Officer with the Department of Agriculture, South Africa. Dr. Kreuter joined Texas A&M University in 1998. He teaches undergraduate courses in Ecosystem Management and Biodiversity Conservation and Eco-tourism in Southern Africa, and a graduate course in Ecological Economics. Dr. Kreuter's research focuses on the human dimensions of ecosystem management.
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Dr. Brad Wilcox is a professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. His research and teaching program deals with that of understanding how land management affects the water cycle. Much of his work has been in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas. He has worked and lived in Brazil, Peru, New Mexico, Idaho, and Colorado. He has spent very little time in Africa and is looking forward to learning more about African landscapes and how they are being modified
by human activities. He is married to Diana Wilcox and has three daughters and one grandson. |
