Erin Frankson
- St. Olaf College
- Tanzania, Fall 2011
Hometown: Oregon, WI
Majors: Biology and Environmental Studies
Campus activities, involvement, or other interests: Member of the Clean Energy Revolving Fund (CERF), an organization on campus working to implement energy efficient solutions on campus. Member of the St. Olaf Environmental Coalition, an organization seeking to cultivate and defend greater ecological concern. Member of Stitches for Peace, a knitting club that raises money for charity. Volunteer at StoGROW, St. Olaf’s student-run organic farm. Volunteer tutor at Northfield Middle School. In my free time I enjoy cooking, gardening, reading, hiking, and running.
Why I chose to do this program: I chose the Tanzania ACM Program because I wish to learn about and experience a culture that is uniquely different from that of the United States. I have always been fascinated by other languages, other people, and other lifestyles; and ultimately, I want to experience as much of the world as possible. Having already travelled to several countries in Latin America and Europe, I am now looking to explore the continent of Africa. I was drawn to the ACM program because of its location, its academic focus, and its structure. In the Tanzania ACM program, not only is one able to interact with the local people and tour the country, but one is able to learn the language of the country (Swahili), conduct field research in some of the most well-known national parks in Africa, and live in a home stay with a native Tanzanian family. The diversity of the program is ultimately what drew me to it. In addition, I am thrilled at the prospect of learning an entirely different language. I have taken 6 years of Spanish and have a small background in Arabic, but I wish to expand my knowledge of world languages. I believe this program will allow me to learn another language rapidly by through immersion in Tanzanian culture and society. Finally, I am extremely excited to conduct some of my own research in some of the most diverse and rich environments in Africa. The independent research aspect of the trip will provide me with a firm foundation on which I can puruse my own career in research.
What I'm most excited about: I am thrilled to learn Swahili and live with a native Tanzanian family. I think that the homestay portion of the trip will offer tremendous insight into the culture and people of Tanzania. In addition, I am looking forward to tent camping up by the Tarangire national park, hiking in the Usambara Mountains, and snorkeling off the coast of Zanzibar.
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