For my study abroad experience, I chose the Cheetah Conservation program at Running Wild in South Africa. I wanted to do something that not many people can say they've done. During this study abroad program, I had the opportunity to care for cheetahs, lions, hyenas, caracals, servals, and meerkats. I learned about the history of cheetahs and how they became a vulnerable species. Some of the evidence for it involves the bottleneck that occurred during the ice age, which caused a decrease in genetic diversity in cheetahs. Another reason is due to human intervention in hunting.

On a personal level, I come from a low-income household, and this scholarship has really helped me in pursuing this study abroad. The reason I wanted to study abroad was to increase my awareness of exotic species and how they live and are affected by people. Something that I wanted to learn more about was how society and culture change in different countries. I noticed how different people live in South Africa compared to the United States. The exchange rates are also different there; something you would get in the US only costs a fraction in South Africa. Something that I wanted to improve in myself includes breaking out of my shell by meeting new people and making new friends.

I came into this study abroad with an open mind regarding what I would learn and do for the 2 weeks. I was a bit surprised by how comfortable the workers were with teaching students, and how easy it was for them to communicate with us. The job of the students included cleaning the enclosures, prepping the meals, creating enrichment, and having fun. I would never have imagined what little adventures my friends and I found ourselves doing during our time off. I really do think that this study abroad has taught me things that will enhance my life.

Name: Gage Baumgartner
Status: Senior
Major: Animal Science
Hometown: Millington, Michigan
Program: Cheetah Conservation Internship in South Africa