Linnea Karlen
- Grinnell College
- Tanzania, Fall 2010
Hometown: Uppsala, Sweden
Major: Anthropology, concentration in Neuroscience
Activities & interests: GORP (Grinnell Outdoor Recreation Program), Grinnell Nerf, hiking and cross-country skiing, volunteering at the animal shelter, traveling (especially by bus and train).
Why I chose to do this program: The focus of the program – ecology and human origins – matches my academic interests almost perfectly. Moreover, I’ve been fascinated by East Africa ever since I first saw the Lion King, so the location was definitely a factor; getting to live in tents for weeks while conducting independent research projects is bound to be pretty awesome too (I’m never quite as happy as when I’m outdoors). Combined, these three aspects of the program made it hard to resist!
What I'm most excited about: Taking an intensive Swahili class, and then being able to go out and actually use the language to get around – I’m really looking forward to spending a long enough time in the country to be able to experience Tanzania differently than I would simply visiting as a short-term tourist. I’m also very excited to live in the field camp. I’m sure it’ll sometimes be quite uncomfortable, but then again, in just a few months, I’ll be waking up each morning in a tent in an amazing landscape full of fascinating wildlife – how can that not more than make up for whatever discomforts there may be?
« Return to Student profiles & blogs