Student Reflections

Belize Student Reflection: Kayla Clark

“I am a saltwater human through and through so I was surprised that the parts of the trip that most impacted me were inland and not in the clear blue ocean water."

Guyana Student Reflection: Samantha Wolfe

"My title for this blog post comes from the many people I’ve simply educated about the geography of South America (and Africa)"

Namibia Student Reflection: Kate Hankins

"Conserving animals can only happen with and for the local people, and we will always be stronger for including them"

Costa Rica Student Reflection: Eileen Keating

"Having a deep passion and drive for an issue can be consuming and being able to see that issue through a variety of perspectives is invaluable"

Australia Student Reflection: Meghan Manary

" I now joke that nothing that I do in the future will ever matter because I have completed my life goal of studying conservation in Australia, which I once thought was unachievable (part of me is not joking though)"

In the Summer of 2023, I had the most beautiful privilege of traveling to Maharashtra, India to fulfill my third and final Earth Expedition. Words will never truly encompass the life-transforming experience I endured during my time there, but I’ll do my best. To get the most out of this summer course, I decided on my flight that I would stay positive and participate in all activities no matter how tired I was. It’s not every day that you get to travel to India. Furthermore, I decided that on Day 1, I was going to branch out and try and learn as much as I could from colleagues, facilitators, and AERF (Applied Environmental Research Foundation) partners. This tremendously aided my experience and enabled me to feel more inclined to ask questions in addition to stepping further out of my comfort zone. Two main themes that were present in many pivotal experiences throughout my time in India were cultural appreciation and kindness. I always assume that cultures will be incomparable to mine in the United States when I travel out of the country, and India is no exception. If I’m being completely honest, I assumed that the people we would encounter would be bothered by our presence and might feel like we were invading their space. Not only was every individual we met knowledgeable in various ways, but they were also grateful for our presence and endeavors in studying their culture. A few times we as a class felt a little distanced between some of the groups we met since there was a language barrier, but once our AERF partner stepped in to translate, it was always followed by enthusiasm for their culture as well as big smiles. I love that smiles are universal because they connect people on a human level no matter what the distance is between us. One of the conversations between our AERF partner Akshay and I struck a chord with me. Akshay told me that he told his family that he wanted to do conservation work and help the animals and the environment. They did not seem to comprehend the purpose of that career nor did they think he was going to go anywhere in life. I believe he recently traveled to South America and it was only then, once he left his home country, did his family showed interest and support in his conservation efforts. Although I am fortunate that my family has relatively supported me throughout my entire conservation journey, I now realize that stories like Akshay’s may occur throughout the world. How do we inspire conservation without overstepping cultural and family norms? I will remember moments like this when I further pursue my conservation journey in other countries. In India, inquiry was everywhere. Why was India’s monsoon season delayed? How big of a negative impact does trash have on India’s environment? Could the stray dogs be trained and used as guard dogs against wildlife such as gaurs, leopards, and lions? How many times does each frog copulate in 2 minutes? There was not one moment when I did not wonder about India’s land, animals, and religion during my time there. These moments of questioning and observation coincided with Project Dragonfly’s core focus of inquiry; these instances were often student-led and reiterated the idea that everyone could get involved and understand science. Community engagement in India was one of my favorite activities, especially because this accompanies my current occupation as a Community Engagement Coordinator for Best Friends Animal Society. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunities we had to interact with various communities and learn about their relationship with the environment. Furthermore, I found the intermingling between species, communities, and deities to be fascinating. I hope to one day use these experiences to find a career where I can be an open-minded outreach coordinator for an international nonprofit organization. Unfortunately, I learned that Western culture and the industrialization of society have pushed India away from traditional career paths and farming practices (Sharma & Kumar, 2020). However, AERF is advocating for communities to become environmental stewards. The AERF partners brilliantly educate community individuals, including loggers, on how to protect sacred groves and the environment in addition to providing for one’s family. By teaching individual members about the importance of conserving sacred groves, they are more likely to be engaged in the protection and preservation of them. Furthermore, my time in India showed me that global and local understanding is crucial to conservation progress. Conservation must be comprehended overall but tailored to local communities to evolve. This is exemplified by the AERF partners and their goal to link people’s livelihoods with conservation to inspire environmental priorities (Blicharska et al., 2013). Evidence and scientific content, when used effectively, will provide more of an impact when discussing how an individual’s actions affect the future environment. In essence, I learned that demonstrating how one’s role affects the environment through research and visual aids is helpful, however, showing how a community’s environmentally conscious actions can aid current and future generations will offer a more critical call to action. Maharashtra Morning black tea and lime warm our bellies Air fills with the songs of various birds and insects Hope for a successful day and a memorable experience Applied Environmental Research Foundation partners are brilliant beyond compare Recognizing that conservation is worldwide and present in sacred sites Analyzing and reflecting on all that we have learned each day Silverware remains absent during meals Hands-on dinners, eating on the floor cross-legged The staff and families are eager to provide seconds and thirds Returning to our beds with happy thoughts and spicy tummies Appreciation for the community members and friends made along the way

India Student Reflection: Allie Coronado

"Words will never truly encompass the life-transforming experience I endured during my time there,"

Belize Student Reflection: Tami Masuoka

“Belizean birds

Every shape, size, and color

Paint the summer skies”

Belize Student Reflection: Lydia Collier

"Not only did we learn about the community of Belize and how to incorporate ideas that we learned from this experience into our individual communities at home, but we created a community amongst ourselves as an EE group"

Thailand Student Reflection: Grace Masaoka

"The experiences in Thailand taught me so much, in so many different ways. Being immersed in Thai culture and Buddhism, learning about conservation efforts, getting to explore our own inquiries, and the privilege of seeing hornbill research up close and personal (and the list goes on)"

Belize Student Reflection: Charles Ruff

"There is no doubt in my mind that if I could go back and do it all over again then I would! I wouldn't change anything about it."

Paraguay Student Reflection: Melissa Neufer

"I can go anywhere and know it will be what it will be"

Borneo Student Reflection: Elizabeth Jackson

"Quitting one career, and getting back into school as a 'non-traditional' student was exciting; I was finally following the path I'd put aside for decades."

Baja Student Reflection: Polly Diffenbaugh

“I am so glad I was finally able to start this program and come on this trip. It felt like such a long time coming and such a much needed addition to my life right now…”

Baja Student Reflection: Cindy Kelly

"There is nothing like an experience to make real what you may have only imagined!”

Guyana Student Reflection: Katie Krafte

"I find the ecology so fascinating and could read about jaguars, monkeys, caiman, etc. forever and be very happy"

Borneo Student Reflection: Lindsey Stegh

" I am fully prepared and excited to venture into a new chapter in my career – leading learners through experiences in nature’s classroom outdoors.”

Australia Student Reflection: Katelynn Mulrooney

"As we waited, observing one of the fruiting palms, we saw a flying fox land high up in the leaves along with others we had most likely seen fly above us earlier in the evening."

Paraguay Student Reflection: Christina Thompson

"The more I learn about conservation and the more I travel, I have come to realize that conservation is less about plants and animals and more about people and our relationships"

Belize Student Reflection: Ashley Watts

"The distinct noise of howler monkeys, the taste of stewed chicken, the smell of the sea breeze and bug spray, and the amazingly teal and blue and cerulean and green colors of the water"

Borneo Student Reflection: Stephanie Quihuiz

"I am not sure how these experiences fit into my journey through life, but I know that I was meant to experience this place for a reason. I am thankful for all the amazing experiences and people that Borneo introduced me to"

Brazil Student Reflection: John Scott

"Regrowth. This term is so simple and straightforward; however it completely encompasses my entire experience in Brazil"

Kenya Student Reflection: Drew Heyward

"The idea that conservation is not just about animals really hit home, and working firsthand with people made me realize these issues are not black and white"

Mongolia Student Reflection: Kym Janke

“The hospitality, generosity and friendliness of everyone we met in Mongolia is what jumps out at me first"

Amazon Student Reflection: Fiorella Gardella

"I will never forget all those different butterflies, the macaws and parrots, and the footprint of the jaguar"

Galapagos Student Reflection: Christie Miller

"I enjoyed the opportunity to sit and observe nature in silence for extended periods of time. I was counting birds and marine iguana sneezes in each of the inquiry projects, but it was more than that. I was observing details of nature, which is something I don’t often take the time to do"

Baja Student Reflection: Tessa Cafritz

"I think about sleeping under the stars, about walking through forests of cacti as the sun was setting, creating biolumincise through the waving of my hands"

Student Reflections

Belize Student Reflection: Kayla Clark

Guyana Student Reflection: Samantha Wolfe

Namibia Student Reflection: Kate Hankins

Costa Rica Student Reflection: Eileen Keating

Australia Student Reflection: Meghan Manary

India Student Reflection: Allie Coronado

Belize Student Reflection: Tami Masuoka

Belize Student Reflection: Lydia Collier

Thailand Student Reflection: Grace Masaoka

Belize Student Reflection: Charles Ruff

Paraguay Student Reflection: Melissa Neufer

Borneo Student Reflection: Elizabeth Jackson

Baja Student Reflection: Polly Diffenbaugh

Baja Student Reflection: Cindy Kelly

Guyana Student Reflection: Katie Krafte

Borneo Student Reflection: Lindsey Stegh

Australia Student Reflection: Katelynn Mulrooney

Paraguay Student Reflection: Christina Thompson

Belize Student Reflection: Ashley Watts

Borneo Student Reflection: Stephanie Quihuiz

Brazil Student Reflection: John Scott

Kenya Student Reflection: Drew Heyward

Mongolia Student Reflection: Kym Janke

Amazon Student Reflection: Fiorella Gardella

Galapagos Student Reflection: Christie Miller

Baja Student Reflection: Tessa Cafritz

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