Sometimes it is important to step back and think about the moment.
In this moment, I am currently hanging on to the side of a boat.
Not any boat, but a boat named Iracema.
Iracema is docked in the middle of the Brazilian Amazon River by a local village.
The side of the boat, along with myself, is peppered with my peers and the village's local children.
We have no way of communicating except through actions and laughter.
I breath in the hot humid air, let go of the rope, and jump...
In this moment, I am currently hanging on to the side of a boat.
Not any boat, but a boat named Iracema.
Iracema is docked in the middle of the Brazilian Amazon River by a local village.
The side of the boat, along with myself, is peppered with my peers and the village's local children.
We have no way of communicating except through actions and laughter.
I breath in the hot humid air, let go of the rope, and jump...
I took this course for a very specific reason. I did not need the science credit nor the honors experience to meet my honor's requirements. As an environmental enthusiast, I wanted to satisfy my curiosity and adventurous drive. Although I am vegan for ethical reasons, it does not mean that I do not take into account how the farming of livestock impacts the environment. My vegan background is outlined in My Passions, but the overarching goal of this trip was to...
...observe and admire nature without interruption.
Although I had been abroad before, I had never studied where I was going. I know now how enriching it is to not only take in your surroundings, but know how all the dots connect. In Brazil specifically, I began to understand and become intrigued by how politics played such a large role in the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest. I discovered that my curiosity drives me to discover the big picture in controversial issues. The more I learned about Brazil's culture and politics, the more intrigued I was to learn even more.
Knowledge is addicting, especially when it is relevant.
The trip itself was such an exceptional experience. I was so grateful for the opportunity due to its uniqueness. I was constantly in a state of wonder and awe and was often silent due to the overwhelming amount of emotions I was feeling. I am so often moving at such a rapid pace that I do not get to sit back and analyze my life and personal goals.
The vast open sky, the beautiful sunsets, and the nights spent swinging back in forth in a hammock allowed me to reflect as an environmentalist, as a vegan, and as a scholar.
...observe and admire nature without interruption.
Although I had been abroad before, I had never studied where I was going. I know now how enriching it is to not only take in your surroundings, but know how all the dots connect. In Brazil specifically, I began to understand and become intrigued by how politics played such a large role in the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest. I discovered that my curiosity drives me to discover the big picture in controversial issues. The more I learned about Brazil's culture and politics, the more intrigued I was to learn even more.
Knowledge is addicting, especially when it is relevant.
The trip itself was such an exceptional experience. I was so grateful for the opportunity due to its uniqueness. I was constantly in a state of wonder and awe and was often silent due to the overwhelming amount of emotions I was feeling. I am so often moving at such a rapid pace that I do not get to sit back and analyze my life and personal goals.
The vast open sky, the beautiful sunsets, and the nights spent swinging back in forth in a hammock allowed me to reflect as an environmentalist, as a vegan, and as a scholar.
Study Abroad Experience
Example Schedule
5:30am – Wake up Call
6:00am – Quick Pre-Breakfast Snack
6:30am – Depart for Bird-Watching in Canals
10:00am – Breakfast
11:00am – Depart for Mid-Day Excursion
2:00pm – Lunch
3:00pm – Depart for Afternoon Excursion
7:00pm - Dinner
8:00pm - Update Wildlife Checklist
9:00pm - Depart for Night-Watching in Canals
12:00pm - Bedtime
Example Schedule
5:30am – Wake up Call
6:00am – Quick Pre-Breakfast Snack
6:30am – Depart for Bird-Watching in Canals
10:00am – Breakfast
11:00am – Depart for Mid-Day Excursion
2:00pm – Lunch
3:00pm – Depart for Afternoon Excursion
7:00pm - Dinner
8:00pm - Update Wildlife Checklist
9:00pm - Depart for Night-Watching in Canals
12:00pm - Bedtime
List of Excursions
Swimming with Dolphins
Fishing for Piranhas
River Picnic
Hiking
Visiting Manaus
Exploring Local Villages
Swimming in Lake
Bat Collecting
Swimming with Dolphins
Fishing for Piranhas
River Picnic
Hiking
Visiting Manaus
Exploring Local Villages
Swimming in Lake
Bat Collecting