An organism’s nativity, as Professor Shaw described it, is to do with one’s relation both to a land over time and to its ecosystem. Any species inhabiting a space for long enough (infuriatingly vague), fulfilling a particular niche, and without the capacity to dominate its ecosystem can be considered functionally native. These criteria allow us to categorize species which were introduced and have naturalized over time as nativeish. Guanacos for example–one of the most recognizable species in Tierra del Fuego–are not traditionally native to this land because they were eliminated by a tephra-ash layer from a Hudson volcanic eruption 7,750 years ago. Then humans reintroduced them to this geologically isolated archipelago a couple thousand years later, and they reclaimed their niche. So, while they may not be evolutionarily native, they are functionally native.

Scribbling this in my notebook, I spot two gray foxes poking around our campsite, and they look up at me. They sense I’m going to write about them. Towards the sunrise, a small band of debatably native horses graze. The three foals stick close to their mothers while the largest stallion guides them across the field, parting the guanaco herds like the red sea. The stallion has the most beautiful brown coat, black mane and a white stripe down his nose. And I realize as I’m studying him that this wild horse has gotten dangerously close to me. I stand slowly, planning a tactful retreat back to my Ñirre. Before I can turn away, he bows at me. I barely register it, but then he makes his final approach and nudges my outstretched hand. His nose is soft, his slight movements hold enough strength to knock me clean over. The other horses and foals follow closely behind, watching us.

These animals are not afraid of us–the foxes who scavenge our site for camper scraps, the guanacos who trill their lips in disapproval when we make too much noise on the trails, the horses who comfort sleepless students journaling in the field. They are native here, to the pampa and the nothofagus forests of Karwkynka. They wield the authority to welcome us or reject us. I am so incredibly envious of them; I do not belong this way anywhere. I’m confident very few people do. Oh, to touch the tip of my stallion’s nose and tell him that I, too, am native in my homeland.

Regardless of where you go, your identity doesn’t change, just the local knowledge of it.

Gwyneth: My identity as a genderqueer student influences all of my experiences regardless of where I travel. I’m used to a certain reaction and treatment at my home university, as well as from other people in the United States, though they may vary somewhat. Coming to Kenya and studying at the SFS Center has been very different in regards to my identity. The culture is very conservative, and at first I didn’t speak up about my gender identity. It was only halfway through the semester that I mentioned being genderqueer and using they/them pronouns.

Despite the fact that the Swahili language doesn’t have pronouns, staff present for my presentation on gender identity did their best to listen and understand what I was sharing. Most of my U.S. classmates used the correct pronouns for me and stopped referring to me as a girl once I explained. I knew that if I went out into the community I would be considered a woman, while in the U.S. my gender expression is more androgynous.

Engaging with local staff members about my gender identity has reminded me of the fact that while I may be well-versed in LGBTQ+ matters and used to the terminology, different cultures and communities like the one here don’t have the same access to knowledge, and may have certain factors preventing their growth in knowledge and acceptance. Kenya was recently colonized by Britain and is still recovering from these impacts, including in social and cultural development. I know that my identity is accepted here at the SFS Center, for all that it may not be recognized or acknowledged outside the Center.

My advice for future students that may be trans or genderqueer is to remember that different societies have different levels of knowledge. This isn’t a negative indicator of the country, but rather a reality of the difference in development. The staff at SFS were welcoming, accepting, and kind; the outside community simply didn’t seem to consider different gender identities.

The most important thing is putting your safety and comfort first. This may mean adjusting your gender expression, changing your pronouns, or altering your presentation. Regardless of where you go, your identity doesn’t change, just the local knowledge of it. Studying abroad means the potential for cultural differences or societal lack of understanding; it’s important to take this into consideration and decide what is most important.
 

Although Maasai women are often treated differently than men, I felt surprisingly empowered as I witnessed their strength and determination in caring for their homes first-hand.

Eadaoin: When deciding to come to Kenya, I expected certain challenges as a woman. I have been subjected to certain treatment in the past because of this part of my identity and did not know exactly how being a woman would influence my time in Kenya. I began to understand what it means to be a woman in this community when I participated in Maasai homestays, where us SFS students visited/lived with a Maasai mama over two days.

Although Maasai women are often treated differently than men, I felt surprisingly empowered as I witnessed their strength and determination in caring for their homes first-hand. Mamas typically have the daily tasks of building/repairing their homes, fetching large amounts of water, preparing food, caring for their children, and much more. What I thought I knew about gender in this culture greatly expanded from experiences like these over the course of my fall semester.

My fellow students also played a part in helping me understand my identity as a woman in a foreign country. Our class of ten consisted of six women who were inevitably facing similar challenges to me, and helped me navigate my thoughts when faced with a misogynistic environment. I did not come to Kenya with the goal of growing in my knowledge of my own identity, but this program and its people have been invaluable in expanding my point of view of who I am as a woman.

My piece of advice for future women attending SFS is to keep an open mind when it comes to this program. It can be intimidating as a woman to travel to a new country where the culture is so vastly different than that in the U.S., but don’t let that discourage you from pursuing an amazing experience. The SFS staff was more than welcoming and kind, and I was surprised by the empowerment I felt as a woman surrounded by strong women.

The Fall 2021 Kenya cohort, including the authors.
 
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Curious to learn a bit more about the SFS Kenya Center? Click here to read about why we’re based there, our environmental research focus, how we connect and support the local community, and even take a tour of the Center.

Why did you pick an SFS program? What were some of your favorite things and what will you miss?

Ava: My favorite thing was being fully immersed in what we were studying by traveling to different places in Costa Rica. Everyone here is so genuine and passionate, and it made me so interested in everything we were learning.
Alexa: I picked it because it is field-based and that’s what I was looking for. Loved the volleyball tournament, our overnight trips. Being in the rainforest was the highlight! Definitely going to miss the food. Thank you to everyone for making this experience so wonderful!
Charlie: It was one of the few programs running post COVID-19. I loved looking at the biodiversity of the country, especially the monkeys. I will miss feeling connected to nature at such a high level. This program has been a much needed reset after experiencing a global pandemic as a young adult. It is easy to be jaded after the past two years, but for the first time in a while, I feel hopeful.
 

What piece of advice would you share with a future SFS student coming to Costa Rica

Ava: Go with the flow and enjoy every moment!
Alexa: Be prepared to be busy all the time! You will sweat a lot!
Charlie: Try to learn some key Spanish phrases and bring a few more shirts than you think is necessary.

 

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
 

What’s the first story you’re going to tell your friends and family?

Ava: I’m going to tell them about the small farms we visited, the families we met there, and the whole process of producing coffee and chocolate.
Alexa: All the different animals I got to see in the rainforest.
Charlie: Going to Monteverde and seeing so many plants and animals, some of which came right up to our hostel door! (A coati)
 

Expectations vs reality: What were you surprised by? How has your perspective of Costa Rica changed?

Ava: The feeling of Costa Rica is almost indescribable. Being here has shown me the importance of living in the present moment and it has given me a reimagined appreciation for nature.
Alexa: It was surprising that it wasn’t raining more often. I wasn’t expecting people to be so nice.
Charlie: I had no expectations because I didn’t even know if the trip would occur, which made the trip even better.

What unexpected challenge did you face, were you able to overcome it, and what did you learn from the experience?

Alexa: I was too shy with people towards the beginning but the more I got comfortable, the more I began to share about myself with others.
Charlie: I did not expect that the towns closed so early, so as a night owl it was odd going to bed at 9:30-10pm. Luckily, we got up really early, so I have gotten used to an early bed time.
 

How have aspects of your identity influenced your experience studying with SFS? Did any of those surprise you? Has your experience with SFS influenced your identity?

Ava: I feel so confident and empowered leaving this trip. Being in Costa Rica ahs shown me what I’m capable of and strengthened my relationship with the world around me.
Alexa: Since I have lived in Guatemala, I was expecting Costa Rica to be very similar. I was able to communicate with people very well in Spanish. This experience has reminded me of how much I love being Latina.
Charlie: I think I have become more conscious of the impact I have on the environment, which has made me more sustainable. I also feel more mindful and grounded.
 

Which three adjectives best describe how you are feeling right now?

Ava: Proud. Grateful. Fulfilled.
Alexa: Accomplished. Content. Nostalgic.
Charlie: Peaceful. Connected. Curious.
 
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Curious to learn a bit more about the SFS Costa Rica Center? Click here to read about why we’re based there, our environmental research focus, how we connect and support the local community, and even take a tour of the Center.

What’s the first story you’re going to tell your friends and family?
Our field trip through North and Middle Caicos started with an early wake-up in a community center, where all 34 of us slept on a rather cold, tile floor. Everyone, in perfect SFS fashion, could not have been bothered less by the lack of comfortable sleeping arrangements, as everyone was purely excited for the day ahead. We represented the character of our program perfectly: Chacos cinched, sunscreen sprayed, teeth brushed, and not a shower in sight. We hopped on our school bus and started our trip towards Mudjin Harbor, a spot labeled as one of the most beautiful places in the world. We got about twenty minutes in before our bus decided it would go no farther. Most people would have taken this as a chance to complain, get upset, and overall dampen the mood. However, every student in our class took the opportunity to sing songs, make jokes, and embrace the sweaty situation we were stuck in. After a few minutes of sweating, singing, and laughing, a new bus came to replace the old feller, and we were on our way to Mudjin Harbor. The reaction of our class as a whole upon arrival to this place speaks volumes, as each of us walked with our mouths wide open towards an entirely sublime view. Our backyard is a landscape of the ocean, but somehow the view of Mudjin Harbor stunned each and every one of us. The untouched beauty of this place, hidden between skyscraper cliffs, took each of our breaths away. It made every discomfort from the trip completely melt in a matter of seconds. Swimming in crystal clear waters, with views of the land as far as we could see, was an experience that none of us will ever forget.

Expectations vs reality: What were you surprised by?
We knew it was going to be serious business coming to SFS TCI. We were all mentally prepared to work hard and learn a lot, without having the familiar comforts of home. Every day posed a new challenge for us, whether it be with schoolwork or with life, but we were all surprised at how much fun we were having, even with the lack of freshwater showers and wifi. Things such as schoolwork, dishwashing, and seawater baths turned ordinary moments into memories. Outdoor shower party? Yes, please. And if one of us was having a bad day, we knew we had at least one other person that could relate to us, which was always very comforting. We were in this together! The relationships formed with not only our classmates, but our staff and professors were stronger than we could have imagined and made every obstacle, job, and adventure that much better since we had our people next to us – always. We all came here strangers and are leaving with friendships that will last a lifetime, which is the best surprise any of us could have asked for.

How has your perspective of the country changed over the course of the semester?
When we first arrived on South, we were all excited to explore the new culture that Turks and Caicos offers. We were told that the people we would encounter here are some of the nicest. During our first couple days getting to know the island, we quickly realized that this was true. While arriving to a new place can be exciting, it can also be a little scary. Because of this, we were all surprised at how quickly we felt at home. We were welcomed with big smiles and “Welcome to South Caicos” from people in town. The local children were excited to meet us, shouting “Hi School for Fields!!” as they ran to give us hugs. After the original honeymoon phase of arriving at a new place, we were able to settle down and make real connections with the local community that ended up being one of the most special parts of our time here. One thing we started to realize was that we shared a lot of the same values. Many of us came here environmentally conscious, with hopes of helping the ecosystems of Turks and Caicos. But the experiences shared with us in the South Caicos community showed us that this was much more than caring about our oceans, but also about how the oceans are a large part of the Turks and Caicos culture. This made us appreciate these beautiful ecosystems that much more, as the passion that the Turks and Caicos culture has for them makes the community that much stronger.

What unexpected challenge did you face, were you able to overcome it, and what did you learn from that experience?
Coming from a liberal arts background, I knew that I was going into a program with knowledge a bit over my head. I didn’t know, however, that I would learn an entirely new type of education. The curriculum of SFS CMRS is demanding, rewarding, and extremely detail-oriented, all at the same time. I found myself waking up each day to new topics and ways of learning that I had yet to be exposed to. This was incredibly challenging at first, as I couldn’t help but wish for the comforts of a book-oriented, discussion based college classroom. However, the professors at this center are proficient in their teaching, and the ability to ask them questions at any time of the day changed the way that I was able to learn. Statistical programs such as JMP and Rstudio, of which I didn’t know existed before the program began, now only give me slight fear. I learned that asking for help is a crucial part of education, and that there is no such thing as impossible knowledge. Science is all about learning, and the learning curve in a place like SFS CMRS shows the possibility of success as long as you are willing to learn. – Kimmie Dyrvik

How have aspects of your identity influenced your experience studying with SFS? Did any of those surprise you? Has your experience with SFS influenced your identity?
I came to this program with a passion for the environment, and though I didn’t have a huge amount of education within environmental science I knew that I wanted to experience a program with those who cared about our planet as much as I did. The environment has always taken up a significant part of my identity, which matched very well with the kinds of people in this program and the way the curriculum was organized. However, one of my identities that I was very surprised came into play was my love for children, and how I am generally very people-oriented. Outreach was a huge part of my overall SFS CMRS experience, and I could never have expected to be leaving this island with the amount of connections that I do between children and adults of the island. Participating in arts and crafts each Wednesday quickly became a tradition, and I realized that my background in elementary education and overall service with young children helped me connect with many of the kids here. I was an elementary education major before coming to this program, and I could never have expected to be so involved with the children and the school as I was. It goes to show that no matter how far from the ‘classic science’ major, as long as you have a passion for the environment and a drive to learn you will be able to succeed. SFS has made me a much more confident individual, and when I leave this program I am going to take this confidence and hopefully be able to use my experiences in more environmental advocacy programs. Additionally, I think SFS has made me more introspective, and has allowed me to take time to really think about what I care about and how I want to spend my future. Thinking about these broad topics is scary, and I’m lucky to have an incredible group of people here with me that are willing to have serious conversations about topics like the future. Overall, I think that SFS has allowed me to strengthen my belief in myself, as well as helped me to grow my passion for the environment

What are you most excited about doing when you get back home, and what will you miss about SFS?
The structure of this program, between classes, homework, group work, field excursions, and meetings creates very little free time throughout the semester. Home offers a chance to sit back and decompress from the constant engagement of the coursework at CMRS. However, this structure doesn’t come without its benefits, as it keeps everyone learning, communicating, and experiencing in a way that a more free-flowing program would not have. The constant opportunity for camaraderie and continuous excitement of living in a place such as CMRS cannot be matched anywhere else. The late night movie nights, friendship bracelet exchanges, spontaneous dance parties, and general passion of the community here has bonded us together in a very special way. Having your 26 best friends only a walk away creates friendships of a new level of connection, and I couldn’t have imagined how close I would become to each student and faculty here. As much as the couch in my living room beckons for me, I wouldn’t trade the workload here for the world.

What piece of advice would you share with a future SFS student coming to your program?
We thought it was best to list out some of the wise words of our fellow classmates, on their reflections of the time spent living on the island.

1. Allow yourself to be wrong. The classwork, as well as the people you live with, challenge you in a way that you most likely haven’t been challenged before. Being out of your comfort zone means that you won’t have all the answers, which can be pretty scary to know coming in. Keep yourself calm with the knowledge that everyone is in the same situation, and there is a reason for everything you experience. Mistakes are bound to happen, and it is how you move forward from these mistakes that builds internal character.

2. Find something in each person to connect with. The group of classmates that you live with will be your closest friends, and it will make the experience a million times more worthy if you are able to create relationships with each individual. Every person who chooses to come on an SFS program does it for similar reasons, which creates an immediate similarity between you and each person on your program. Take the time to get to know each person, as they can offer a completely new perspective on life that you may not have thought about before.

3. Be present. This is probably the most relevant lesson we’ve learned, and it is a lesson we are reminded of every single day as we watch the sun set. Being able to live each day just as a day, and not count down the days to the end of the program or wish that we were back at the beginning, is one of the hardest but most worthy lessons learned.

4. Be more pirate. Our professor Fran lives and breathes this saying, and in more ways than one has taught all of us to, indeed, be more pirate. Whether it means taking charge of a situation, or making sure that you are living a life you are proud of, she has taught us to take life by the horns and experience it to the fullest. Taking initiatives for your life is easy to say, and hard to do, and it is the little choices we make every day that help to structure our future success.

5. Start the conversation. Being in a situation with no familiar faces can be scary, but a simple conversation starter can lead to unexpected and memorable connections. You might be surprised where it can take you!

What three adjectives best describe how you are feeling right now?
Accomplished, nostalgic, appreciative

→ Marine Resource Studies in the Turks and Caicos Islands

What’s the first story you’re going to tell your friends and family?
Probably how exciting our first expedition was; what it was like when we arrived at Lake Manyara National Park, simultaneously filled with expectations and not knowing what we were going to see at all. I could tell how thrilled everyone was when we popped open the roofs to our cars for the first time, and I’ll always remember how we all were smiling when we drove in standing up. Everyone was so stoked to spot animals, and there was a quiet intensity every time an elephant passed by us, or we stopped for a while to watch a group of baboons or zebras. Seeing all those wild animals for the first time with my own eyes is an unforgettable experience, and that’s the first thing I’ll tell my friends and family.

Expectations vs reality: What were you surprised by?
I was surprised by just how much we got to do in Tanzania (and in our visit to Kenya!). So many treasured national parks, incredible cultural visits, and many more meaningful experiences I got to have with my new group of friends. I was surprised by the fact that in a semester we got to visit so many people dream their whole lives of visiting. And, I was surprised by how amazing our directed research experience was; very few people get to be the first scientist to conduct a study in an area, or even help discover a new species! It was very unexpected how much we had the chance to do in just three months.

How has your perspective of the country changed over the course of the semester?
To be honest, I didn’t know much about Tanzania before arriving. But, I had the perception that conservation in East Africa was a people vs. government kind of issue: that the government created national parks, and that people didn’t care about conservation and poaching happened frequently. Throughout my semester here, I learned that Tanzania protects lands and animals in so many ways, and many of these methods try to incorporate benefits for the local people. And, plenty of Tanzanians care about conservation and climate change, even if they don’t understand it fully.

What unexpected challenge did you face, were you able to overcome it, and what did you learn from that experience?
I was very lucky to not experience too many personal challenges here, but the most difficult thing I did was deal with my FOMO (fear of missing out). At the beginning of the semester, I tried to spend lots of time with a lot of people, and do lots of things, because I was worried I wouldn’t make the most of my three months here. I overcame this by realizing that three months is both a very short and very long time, and I had countless chances to have incredible experiences with my classmates and in nature. I learned to live day by day here, and taking things as they come was the best way to do as much as I could here.

How have aspects of your identity influenced your experience studying with SFS? Did any of those surprise you? Has your experience with SFS influenced your identity?
Studying abroad in Tanzania has helped me realize how little I need to be happy. I lived here with very little clothes and just the essential supplies, and I have been happier here than I have been in a lot of other places in my life. Going forward, I think I will try to be less material, and try to enjoy experiences more than I enjoy things.

What are you most excited about doing when you get back home, and what will you miss about SFS?
I’m definitely excited about the food when I get back home, and to spend lots of time with my friends and family that I haven’t seen in a long time. But, I’ll always miss the people I met at SFS: the students and the staff. It’s a once in a lifetime chance to go to so many beautiful places and to conduct research with an amazing group of people.

What piece of advice would you share with a future SFS student coming to your program?
In group settings, people will always wait to commit to an activity or plan until a large enough group of people is going. I encourage future students to independently choose what they want to do with their time abroad, and to go and do it.

What three adjectives best describe how you are feeling right now?
Bittersweet, grateful, and excited!

 
→ Wildlife Management Studies in Tanzania

What’s the first story you’re going to tell your friends and family?
I think I will tell people about my homestay with a nearby Maasai family here in Kenya and what an amazing opportunity this was to experience the culture that we had been learning about in class. I will tell them how welcoming my host family was and all of the activities I got to do with them that allowed me to learn about their daily life in a hands-on way and how important this was since community involvement was such a big part of many of the classes we took here in Kenya.

Expectations vs reality: What were you surprised by?
I was surprised by how much we learned regarding the many issues in conservation and how it has historically disregarded the local community. I knew that I would be taking the course Human Dimensions of Conservation, but I was surprised by what a large role these played in the rest of our courses as well. I was also surprised by how little I knew about this in general even though it is extremely important to be aware of when studying and working in this field.

How has your perspective of the country changed over the course of the semester?
Getting to know people here over such a long period of time has made me feel much more comfortable here. For instance, the first time I went to market day here in Kimana I felt pretty overwhelmed with the busyness, large amount of people, and language barrier but now that I have been to many market days and interacted with a variety of people in town I feel much more comfortable and at home than I initially had. Being here for longer than I would have if I was just here visiting has allowed me to form connections with people that live here and has showed me the many similarities there are to my home that I would most likely otherwise miss.

What unexpected challenge did you face, were you able to overcome it, and what did you learn from that experience?
An unexpected challenge that I faced when I first got here was being much more homesick than I had expected after being away from home for most of the summer and then flying right here to Kenya without a break. I was able to overcome this initial challenge, and I learned the importance of letting others know when something is wrong and accepting help. I also learned throughout the course of the semester that having a supportive community really makes a place feel like home, no matter how far away it may be.

How have aspects of your identity influenced your experience studying with SFS? Did any of those surprise you? Has your experience with SFS influenced your identity?
I think that the three main aspects of my identity that have most influenced my experience studying with SFS have been being a woman, an American, and a student. Being a woman has influenced my experience because I am much more aware of it here in my daily life through things like what I am allowed to wear and observing the difference in roles and responsibilities between the men and the women during my homestay. Being an American has influenced my experience studying with SFS because of how it has helped me to bond with other students even though in America we are from completely different places, being in a different country makes it more of a common piece of our identity than it would be otherwise. It has also influenced my interactions with community members who often have questions about what living in America is like, similar to the questions I have about what living here in Kenya is like. This aspect of my identity is less apparent when I am in the U.S. and generally surrounded by other Americans compared to here where being from different countries leads to a lot of sharing of culture between me and the people that I meet. Being a student here in Kenya has also influenced my experience as people have been very welcoming and often have questions about what we are studying. I am much more aware of being a student here when we go out into the field, especially during activities like interviews, and introduce ourselves as students and explain what we are doing here in Kenya/what we are studying compared to in the U.S. when I am surrounded by many other students in a more typical school environment. My experience here with SFS has made me much more aware of my status as a student and what a privilege it is.

What are you most excited about doing when you get back home, and what will you miss about SFS?
I am most excited to see my family and friends and having a month to relax before heading back to school. I am excited to share my experiences with them and hear what they have been up to while I have been away. I will miss all of the staff here at KBC and all of the support we get from them and always feeling taken care of and looked out for.

What piece of advice would you share with a future SFS student coming to your program?
I would advise a future SFS student to be open to new experiences and to take advantage of all of the opportunities that they will have here. Whenever possible, talk to not just other students but all of the staff here. Also, go into Kimana whenever you get the chance and don’t be afraid to talk to and meet new people. Everyone in town has been super welcoming and I’ve always end up meeting people whenever I go.

What three adjectives best describe how you are feeling right now?
Melancholy
Excited
Sad

→ Wildlife and Water Studies in Kenya

To my delight, I felt this new degree of support for my learning from day one. The first day out in the field, a rainforest hike in Braulio Carrillo National Park complete with torrential rain, I recognized the great thrill I take from physically working within my field of study. The most-photographed moment of the hike was the family of spirited Capuchin monkeys huddled around a collection of seed pods, but every leaf, tree, insect, flower, and rock told its own story about the forest around us. As I watched Edgardo, our tropical ecology professor, explain each ecological interaction as they appeared along the trail, I felt a novel excitement to understand the ecosystem surrounding me. Could I walk through this rainforest one day and name every species? Could I understand their unique capabilities in their natural context, why they have evolved to be exactly so? It was possible: the evidence was in real time, close enough to reach out and touch.

 

Braulio Carrillo National Park

Through these field experiences with SFS, I’ve found that my pursuit of experiential understanding is more accessible and authentic. Every week, I am hands and eyes-on a new subject that I could only read about at my home school. This Monday, I spent a morning with the invasive Tawny “Crazy” Ants testing optimal foraging theory, a concept I had just learned in my college ecology course; applying years of ecological research held far more importance when the subjects were in front of me, participating in an experiment my group and I had created completely on our own. Like every field exercise at SFS thus far, it gave me a new appreciation for the adaptive and measured approach that the experimental process demands. It is understandable that these opportunities for environmental field work are not prioritized by my purely-undergraduate college. However, I am already certain that I will return from my classes at SFS with an intellectual identity that actively and enthusiastically seeks out such first-hand opportunities. There is simply too much learning, and too much fun waiting to be found outside of the traditional classroom.

 
→ Sustainable Development in Costa Rica

My name is Luis Abreu-Socorro, I am a rising sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and I am taking part in the Turks and Caicos Summer 2 Marine Megafauna program through the School for Field Studies (SFS). Before embarking on my experience, I had to consider many self-identifying factors that would affect my process in applying and participating in the program. One aspect of my identity that influenced my decision to go abroad is that I am of Latino (Venezuelan) heritage. Growing up bilingual (Spanish-English) and culturally driven was an amazing experience as a child, and I want to continue that by learning about different cultures. One of the main things that I considered when applying to study abroad was whether they offered cultural enrichment opportunities so that I could be more knowledgeable. Luckily, SFS offers experiences where we get to meet and interact with local community children. Through this experience, I have made new friendships and learned about what the South Caicos culture entails.

Another related aspect of my identity that I considered before applying is being a First-Generation College Student. As mentioned before, both of my parents are Venezuelan immigrants. They did not attend college in the U.S., thus making me the first person in my immediate family to attend a 4-year university. Although my parents are very supportive and want me to be successful, it is difficult for them to help since they do not have the same experience that I have. Because of this, I have had to apply to and learn about study abroad programs myself. Not having the same help that other students do has been a challenge; but looking to carry out my dream of studying at a marine science research facility has allowed me to overcome it. There are many people who have similar situations in which their families have little to no experience with college/study abroad, and I want to be one of the people to overcome this and show others that they can do it, while becoming more culturally educated at the same time.

 
→ Marine Megafauna in the Turks and Caicos Islands

 

My dad and mom smiling away on a porch on Governor’s Island, NYC

 
I haven’t traveled internationally until now and it has been amazing being here. I’m learning a lot (not just from classes, but also from my peers) and I’m looking forward to learning and experiencing a lot more. Although I am having a lot of fun getting to know everyone on the program, there have been several times when I have felt out of place. Not just as a foreigner but also within the context of our American group. We all come from different backgrounds (family, religion, economic status, culture, etc.) and I like listening to how my peers’ experiences have shaped who they are today, but sometimes, the other students on the program seem too different from me. Most of them are Caucasian Americans and a few are mixed race. Sometimes I get to tell them about my Chinese culture and I don’t mind them asking about it, as long as they know I don’t speak for all Chinese Americans. It makes me more uncomfortable not talking about my culture as it is an important part of my identity and my life. There have been a lot of times, not just recently, when I don’t even realize that what someone said upset me until much later and sometimes I don’t realize it at all. What they said will just brush me the wrong way and even if I try to understand why I sometimes undermine myself and think I’m just being too critical. These are microaggressions and happen more often than I’d like.

 

Eating lunch and having a good time after a visit to Sangchen Choekhor monastery. This is only half the class. I’m in sitting in the middle. Photo courtesy of Dana Scheffler

 
A few weeks into the program, we had a discussion on the diversity, whether it be race, religion, sexuality, or gender orientation. I’m glad we addressed it and even talked about microaggressions. Microaggressions are slight comments that are often meant as a joke or a compliment but play off a stereotype that can be harmful to marginalized groups. They are different for everyone and what may be a microaggression to me may not be to someone else who is Asian American. I think Steph Benoit, an SFS intern here in Bhutan, did a great job with facilitating that discussion and I thank her for her sensitivity on this subject.

 

Class picture in our kiras and ghos before we went to the Thimphu Tsechu. Steph is the second from the right. I am in the middle in the blue and yellow top. Photo courtesy of Dana Scheffler

 
I’m glad many of us have been noticing our presence here in Bhutan as citizens of the United States. We’ve been noticing the influence the U.S. has on other countries and just how different and out of place a white person can be in Bhutan. Now, I don’t look Bhutanese, but I am also not white. I have straight black hair and so I don’t exactly stand out as much. Sometimes I like that I don’t stand out as much, sometimes I don’t. When someone here doesn’t see me and initially think “American” or that I’m from the United States it hurts a little. Being a U.S. citizen through and through is part of who I am, and it bothers me to think how other countries perceive the U.S. I’ll often wonder: Do they think I speak English? Or something else? What are Chinese-Bhutanese relations like? Will people think I’m from China? Will people give me dirty looks because I’m Chinese?

Overall, I’m glad I’m getting to know all the people at SFS Bhutan and think SFS is doing a great job giving us, the students, a safe learning environment and an experience we’ll always remember. I would highly recommend this program and encourage anyone of an under-represented group to take advantage of the diversity scholarships SFS offers. In the future, I look forward to seeing more students from diverse backgrounds sharing their study abroad experience as well.

 
→ Himalayan Environment and Development Studies in Bhutan

I have felt my identity shift throughout my life, and especially when I was able to visit Cambodia for the first time in the summer of 2016. It was an emotional visit, filled with answers and many more questions. I ended up finding the village where I was born, and it was truly an emotional experience. I can still feel the same emotions whenever I think about the visit.

When SFS confirmed my spot in the program to study abroad officially, I was elated and humbled by the opportunity to learn about Cambodia in depth. Before coming, I felt that many Cambodians would recognize my heritage right away, yet in many experiences I have had, they often don’t. This was disappointing at first, though I do understand since I am both Vietnamese and Cambodian. Other times, someone may immediately recognize and ask where I am from. This is where I get mixed reactions when I say I am adopted. Some look happy and interested, while others may not be as pleased.

Overall, Cambodians accept me, even though I am different. In Cambodia, I am defined by my American upbringing. Thus, I am still different, even in the country where I was born. While some instances may have been disappointing, I have met many great Khmer people and learned so much about my heritage. I am quite pleased with the trip so far and excited for all the learning opportunities for the rest of the trip.

 

Photo courtesy of Arden Simone

 
→ Conservation and Development Studies in Cambodia