Why did you choose SFS as a study abroad program?

It provided an opportunity to travel somewhere totally different and study courses that my University did not offer.

Reflecting back on your time in the program, what did you gain from your SFS experience?

I gained so much from my SFS experience- wonderful friendships and colleagues with whom I continue to stay in contact; an understanding about the many dimensions of international development; a deep appreciation for the joys of living minimally and communally with a diverse range of people; and a change in career paths which I have never regretted!

What is your most profound or lasting memory from your SFS program?

I had never been to a developing country before this experience, so, almost every moment of being in Kenya was profoundly meaningful to me, making it practically impossible to narrow it down to one memory.

Almost every moment of the two weeks that we spent in the Masai Mara remains incredibly vivid in my memory. If I had to choose one moment from my time at SFS to retell, I would say it was an evening when a few of us were sitting on the top of a jeep at sunset watching a huge herd of elephants. The sky was so expansive and every inch of it seemed to be painted in pink, orange and red hues. This motley crew of friends, who a few weeks prior to this moment had never met each other, sat quietly under the African sky in mutual awe of the magnificent creatures, whose ecology and management we had been learning about over the past few weeks. To see these huge, beautiful animals fade into silhouettes as the sun disappeared was truly magical.

Another classic memory occurred on the way to the Masai Mara when we stopped for a little break. Unknowingly, we had parked the jeeps alongside a local group's watering hole. Shortly after we stopped, a group of local people quickly flooded the site with goats and children accompanying them. The little girls were amazed that women our age had long hair, since the women in this region have their head shaved at adolescence. They were equally intrigued by our cameras, clothes and shoes. Spending a few hours playing and laughing with these little kids, revealed how similar we were despite huge differences in language and culture.

What advice would you give to a prospective SFS student?

Embrace and savor every minute of the SFS experience- get to know your classmates, go on walks to experience your surroundings whenever possible, chat to your professors whenever you can, talk to local people at every chance you have and focus on being completely present in every moment,

What do you do for work?

I continue to work on natural resource management issues in developing countries. Currently, I am the Assistant Director of a program funded by USAID at the Wildlife Conservation Society that is supporting efforts to integrate poverty reduction, natural resource conservation and equitable governance in countries that are economically poor but rich in biodiversity.

What does that actually entail on a daily basis?

Every day is different- but on average my job entails coordinating program activities across our partner organizations, determining what our program activities will be and insuring they run smoothly, managing the project budget and ensuring we are meeting our proposed goals/outputs, attending meetings and conferences focusing on the sustainable development, travelling to field sites to better understand how our program can better support the work field staff are doing and I'm still conducting a bit of research when I have a free moment.

Did your SFS experience contribute to where you ended up?

Absolutely! I was planning to go to medical school before I went to SFS and changed my mind on the way back from Kenya.

What was your college major and did you consider a graduate degree?

My college major was biology and I went on to do a master of science degree in Environmental Change and Management at the University of Oxford and a doctoral degree in the School of Geography and the Environment also at the University of Oxford. My master of science dissertation focused on environmental degradation and coastal development in the Seychelles and my doctoral thesis focused on deforestation and human use of forests in Madagascar.

Is it "who you know" or "what you know" in your field?

I would like to think that it is what you know, but it is always important to try to have a vast network of colleagues in different organizations and disciplines so that "what you know" is enhanced and can expand greatly by "who you know" through interacting with a wide range of people and perspectives.

What are the two most essential skills that got you to your position?

Perseverance and viewing every event as an opportunity were critical for getting my current position. It can take a long time to find the right job in the right place- but if you spread your net wide, talk to as many people as you can, attend as many relevant talks/events as you can and never doubt that the right position is out there, you will find it. Hard work helps too!

What advice do you have for other SFS alumni looking to get into your field? What do you wish someone told you?

I wish someone had told me to think a little more carefully about the types of jobs that I would want after graduate school. I had a lot of guidance on which graduate school to go to and what to do for my thesis, but very little on what to do after that. So, I think it is really important before graduate school or before completing undergraduate work, to do research on the job market and think carefully about what kinds of skills/experiences it will take to get your ideal job.