Academic Update
The academic program, broad and intensive, started on a high note with the introduction of the course and a highlight of the expectations of the faculty from the students making it clear that the summer would offer a rigorous academic schedule. The students thus far have been exposed to the Athi-Kapiti ecosystem's (case study area) wildlife conservation issues through traveling lectures and guest lectures. The students have also undergone a series of class lectures on many aspects of community wildlife management in Kenya, in general, and the Athi-Kapiti ecosystem in particular. Next week the students will go for an expedition to Lake Nakuru National Park, the first completely fenced national park in Kenya as opposed to Nairobi National Park which still has a dispersal area within the Athi-Kapiti ecosystem. From here they will be able to see wildlife conservation in two dimensions: with community involvement (Nairobi National Park) and without local community involvement (Lake Nakuru National Park). They are expected to suggest through a discussion forum the future of these protected areas.
-Shem Mwasi, Ph.D., Faculty

Student Reflections
It would seem the idea of a long morning flight and two overnight flights half way across the world with long layovers would have deterred me. If not, the surrendered comforts of home like warm showers, Internet, constant electricity, and washing machines would have done it. Once those became routine maybe the nightly banda snake checks, sleeping bag bug checks, clothing wasp checks, and fighting off monkeys from stealing our food would do the trick. All of these could have kept me in the comfort of my apartment but I would have missed waking up in a herd of zebras at sunrise or sunset on a plateau. I couldn't say I have pet a baby elephant or kissed a giraffe. I wouldn't have had class cancelled for a lion chase or go to sleep hearing their roars. I wouldn't know how to greet Maasai or how to say Swahili words. I would have lost many friends both American and Kenyan and lost days of endless laughter. I'm only two weeks into the program but have lost every drop of doubt or hesitation already. The experiences we have are beyond words and many of the most amazing things I have done, learned, seen, heard or felt were all surprises. All of these things make every seemingly rough thing worth it without a doubt.
-Kayla Baake, University of Wisconsin/Madison

There is no way to be completely prepared to travel to Africa. I have learned about Africa in school, as most people do through elementary geography, and was left with the vague impression of a hot, dry continent, cut off from most of the world and full of exotic animals. While all of those things are true, to a degree, it is ignorant to generalize such a diverse place.

Arriving in Kenya following a fairly abundant rainy season and in the commencement of winter, I found the NPS research site in a lush valley with cold mornings and rare hours of sunshine and heat. The unexpected environment caused me to explore closely the land that I chose to reside for a month. My unpreparedness for the weather alerted my senses, through their ignorance, of a country with diverse climates, geography, people and issues.

I hope in the coming weeks to talk with the Kenyan staff here at NPS and to learn through lectures, how my first impressions of Africa and Kenya were over-generalized and incorrect. My unpreparedness and faulty first impressions merely opened the door to explore this fascinating and interesting country.
-Elise Wallace, Wake Forest University

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