Valerie Nelson
- Lawrence University
- Tanzania, Fall 2010
Hometown: Chippewa Falls, WI
Major & minor: Anthropology major with a concentration in the Biological aspect of the field, Biology minor
Activities & interests: I'm involved in the Academic Advisory Council, GLOW (a GLBTQ support group on campus), GLOW Conduct Board (the judicial board for the organization), the Outdoor Recreational Club, Panhellenic Council - Vice President of Communications, Viking Chorale, and am the Viking Chorale Outreach Chair (essentially a volunteer coordinator on the executive board). Other interests include: camping with mom and dog, ballroom dancing, kayaking, biking, traveling, spending time with good family, good friends, and good food, and spelunking.
Why I chose to do this program: I chose this program because, if you'll forgive the expression, it was love at first sight with this program for me when I started researching study abroad options. This program fascinated me on so many levels and I think that the Tanzania program is the chance of a lifetime to study and live in my desired field of study and grow academically and personally. I can't wait to fully grasp the holistic aspect of anthropology through all of the opportunities and experiences that the program provides! It will be, without a doubt, the experience of a lifetime - if that doesn't sound too cliche.
What I'm most excited about: I am most excited about interacting with the Maasai and other pastoralist/hunter gatherer groups! And camping for six weeks at a fieldsite while doing actual field research on a topic of my choosing. Honestly, I really can't wait to simply be there in Tanzania, Africa - a world away from my comfort zone and the norm!! I can't wait to experience new and different things, to live in a different culture.
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