Tanzania: Daniela Hernandez (Final Reflections)

Final Reflections

This program was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and will hold everything I learned with me for the rest of my life. The staff from this program were amazing and always extremely helpful. I learned so much about their culture and about carnivores. Being able to see the wildlife in their natural habitats was a blessing. I made amazing connections with my fellow cohort members and now have friends from all over the country. I am so happy to have chosen this program and to have been surrounded by people with common interests. One moment we all reflected on was when someone found a frog and came to show everyone. Instead of being ridiculed, everyone got up to see the frog and analyze what kind of frog it was. It was the first time I was surrounded by people who loved all animals and wanted to learn more.

I will forever remember the first of each moment that my safari group and I witnessed an animal close up. We had lions, giraffes, elephants, and baboons walk right by our safari car. Being able to experience such a close interaction was breathtaking and this memory will stay with me forever. I am already planning my next experience in Tanzania and can only thank this experience for allowing me to leave with such gratefulness.

Daniela Hernandez

Major: Zoology

Hometown: Long Beach, California

Program: SFS Wildlife Management & Wildlife Research in Tanzania