My experience in Colombia is about both how I can help Universidad El Bosque and how those there can help me--a sharing of knowledge, a meeting of parties. I do not wish to put the entire focus of this blog on what I am hoping to get out of this experience. But I also do not wish to overestimate the extent of my contributions to them; I certainly am just as capable as any other student who could fly down there and aid in their projects. I am fortunate and excited. I was tasked with delineating 5 concrete goals that I hope to achieve over the course of this fellowship--goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely.
1. Familiarize myself with local ecology before the trip by reading at least 2 scientific articles a week specifically about Amazonian biodiversity before I arrive 2. Improve my Spanish abilities in-country by only speaking Spanish unless spoken to in English or in emergency situations 3. Focus on experiences rather than documentation by taking photographs only for a specific reason and not just for the sake of cataloging an event 4. Disconnect healthily from home by turning off notifications on social media and checking my accounts once a day maximum (for times when connectivity is even possible and the internet enticing) 5. Keep my family informed while I'm away and work on synthesizing and connecting experiences by emailing my family a summary of all I'd done and learned every week
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Ben JohnsonI am a junior at Rice University majoring in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and minoring in Environmental Studies Archives
June 2017
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