Submitted by Cameron Vanderwolf on the 2020 winter session program in Tanzania sponsored by the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology…
I am already in my third week studying abroad in Tanzania, and I can’t believe how much I’ve been learning. This program has done so much not only to help me grow as a person, but everything I learn here I can directly apply to my career passions. As a Wildlife Ecology and Conservation student, I am constantly learning about different animal species, management plans, and conservation strategies. Learning about these things in a classroom is one thing, but to go out and observe these issues first-hand is an experience, I will always be able to use. Here in Tanzania, we have been able to view such amazing animals up close. In Arusha National Park, we even almost ran over a giraffe who walked out into the road while we were driving through the brush!
While we were in Tarangire National Park, we witnessed a large group of elephants cooling themselves in the shade. Seeing the elephants so up close and in-person really solidifies all of the knowledge I’ve been learning in my classes, and adds more context to them, as well. Seeing the large group of female elephants led by the dominant matriarch, I was able to make better connections to help better understand their behavior and physiology. Elephants form strong bonds with their families, as they have long pregnancies of up to 22 months and stay with their mothers until their teens. The group often depends on one strong female who protects the clan and leads the group to food and water sources during scarce times. Study abroad so far has enhanced and enriched my education far beyond I ever thought it could have.
