Category: South Africa
Capstone Projects
Lucia Tilson Washington State University African Ecology and Conservation- Fall 2023 Collecting soil samples! After absorbing every bit of information available to us in Kruger National Park for the last 3 months, we OTS students have quite a few more questions than we have answers. The final capstone projects of...
Skukuza and Biodiversity
Kelsey Craig Adams State University African Ecology and Conservation- Fall 2023 August already feels so long ago. For our group here at OTS South Africa, this first half of the program has been filled with getting to know one another, starting shenanigans, panicking about due dates, and marveling at the...
Thank you for believing I can fly
After graduating Occidental College this May, I had the utmost pleasure of spending the summer in South Africa with the Organization for Tropical Studies studying Health and Ecology. I had been looking forward to this abroad program for a long time and it truly was the most rewarding cherry on...
Favorite Places Outside of Skukuza
Julio Tozetto University of Connecticut African Ecology and Conservation- Fall 2023 Pullen Farm: Surrounded by mountains, with a clear view down the valley, Pullen Farm was home for the first week of our OTS African Ecology and Conservation adventure. For us students, it was a week of getting to know...
Top Five Sightings in Kruger…so far
Jessica Stochel Rutgers University African Ecology and Conservation- Fall 2023 We have had incredible luck in our Kruger National Park (KNP) sightings. From cuddling lions to wandering secretary birds, so much has been seen only halfway through the course! Here are my top 5 sightings in Kruger so far. Three...
The Dream Team
Claire Asmussen Northern Arizona University Field Practicum- Summer 2023 Immi and I after a morning of birding! When I arrived at Johannesburg airport for my study abroad experience with OTS, I was met by a recent graduate and employee of the organization. We sat and had coffee in the airport waiting...
Living Life to the Fullest
Abbey Seivert Northern Arizona University Field Practicum- Summer 2023 Lion relaxing in the Hlane Game Reserve Being part of this program, this summer has been the most influential and intense experience of my life. The adventure I have embarked on here has transformed me. Making me stronger, smarter, and granting...
Impalas, the South African Squirrel
Alana Herr Washington University in St. Louis African Ecology & Conservation in South Africa - Spring 2023 Hello from South Africa! My name is Alana and I’m a junior at Washington University in St. Louis majoring in biology with a concentration in ecology and evolution. I’m interested generally in ecology...
More than a Research Station
Julia Morin University of Connecticut African Ecology & Conservation in South Africa - Spring 2022 There is so much to discover in South Africa! OTS’ field station in South Africa, the Skukuza Research Station is the headquarters for the African Ecology & Conservation semester program. It is a beautiful research...
A Whole New World
Dr. Lisa Nupen OTS Resident Lecturer Here I am on the Stone Bridge at the La Selva field station. The unique plants and animals that occur in the new world Neotropics makes this an exceptionally exciting and special place for a biologist to visit – especially one like myself, who...