Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas

Currently in: Ibri, Oman

Who I’d like to meet on my travels: Sultan Qaboos, Vladimir Putin, the Brah Boys

Traveling Next: Tanzania, insh’allah

Matador Profile: Baxter Jackson

Matador Articles by Baxter: Arabian Bull Wrestling; Dreaming In Arabic, Learning In Yemen; Muslim Fear: How Teaching In Oman taught Me The Shades Of Islam

I’m fired up on showing the the world Okinawa and its unique culture through photography.

Let’s collaborate: Wildlife/Travel Photographer looking to collaborate with any publications interested in my photos from Okinawa, Japan.

Matador Profile: Ryukyu Mike

Photography Website: Mike’s Ryukyu Gallery

Travel Blog Entry: Katsuren Castle

I’m fired up on writing stories and travelogues, playing rock and roll music, riding motorcycles, fly fishing, acting, traveling, hiking, performing comedy, and drinking copious amounts of liquor.

I felt the most immersed in a foreign culture the first time I ate eel in Korea, watching the segments squirm and slither as they cooked in the pan…

Matador Profile: Tharp42 – Olympian Travel Writer

Award-Winning Travel Story: The Worst Motorcycle In Laos

Personal Blog Homely Planet

Feature photo by ricardo.martins. Photo above by Patrick_coe.

Wilderness

Chile is home to some of the longest stretches of pristine wilderness anywhere in the world. From the Atacama desert to the rivers of Patagonia, the massive glaciers of Tierra del Fuego to the long Pacific coastline, Chile is full of natural wonders that make for world-class outdoor adventuring.

Photo: magical-world (Flickr creative commons)

Amazing people

In your attempts to master Spanish, you will meet many friendly Chileans who will encourage you and help you learn the best (and worst) words in Chilean Spanish.

Even better, once you finish your stint in Chile, you can head to any other Spanish-speaking country with surprising results—they’ll be easy to understand!

Photo by P_R_.

You’ll learn a lot of swear words right away.

Chileans pepper their speech with colorful phrases and plenty of swear words. Anyone under the age of 35 adds huevon or huevona to the end of almost every sentence. Huevon is the Chilean equivalent of dude, but literally derives from huevos, the word for testicles.

Slang.

Chileans use a shortened form of the word pues– “po”– to add emphasis to certain words. The most common are: si po,obviopo, and no po.

Destinations

Community Connection to Chile

Much like po, cachai and other forms of “cachar” (to get or to understand) find their way into most conversations with Chileans.

It is the English version of “You know?”

If a Chilean is explaining something to you, you will eventually hear “Cachai?”

Often, a rhetorical “You know what I mean?” and a nod of the head (if you do know what the person means) is enough to keep the conversation going.

When you adopt po and cachai into your vocabulary, you are officially on your way to speaking Chilean Spanish.

You’ll learn to mumble like the locals.

Chileans are notorious for speaking fast. Chilean Spanish is also marked by a lack of clarity of speech. The “s” is hardly ever pronounced; the “d” in nouns and adjectives (like estado and complicado) are skipped, making the endings sound like “ao” instead of “ado.”

Plus, the entire tu form is pronounced differently than you learned in high school Spanish class. Como estas? becomes Como estai? and Que quieres? (What do you want?) becomes Que queri?

You’ll learn Mapuche words.

The Mapuche were indigenous people living in Chile before the Spanish arrived. As the two cultures mixed, the Spanish adopted many Mapuchan words: cahuín (gossip or party), guata (belly), and malón (potluck).

These are words won’t be taught in a university Spanish class—it’s only when you come to Chile that you are exposed to them.

You’ll learn about your own culture and language through Chilean Spanish.

Learning Chilean Spanish (and trying to translate English into Spanish in your head) will help you gain a new perspective on your own culture and language. Chilean Spanish has made me realize just how many American English phrases make absolutely no sense.

Try translating and explaining “Junk in your trunk” or “You’re the bomb.” Even phrases like “No way!” or “Sweet!” do not have direct translations. Certainly, there are similar phrases in Spanish…it’s just a matter of discovering them.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:

Planning to learn some Spanish? Check out the Top 10 Spanish Schools for Waves, Wilderness and Buena Onda!

Or, check in with some Matador members who are currently tackling the language: read How’s My Spanish? by member jgbrandt, or “Perdon, habla poquito castellano” by member laurenkearns.

Living Routes students in Israel. Photo courtesy LivingRoutes.org

These days, learning firsthand about practical solutions to the challenges of the post-carbon age looks more and more like a vital part of a college education.

I recently enjoyed a conversation with Matador member Daniel Greenberg, founder of Living Routes, a remarkable study abroad organization that runs programs in eco-villages on six continents.

Living Routes programs are highly regarded for both quality of life and academic integrity, and students earn college credit through the University of Massachusetts.

Tim: Sustainability is a mainstream buzzword, but I feel eco-villages still suffer from a certain stigma among much of mainstream society. I lived for a time at an eco-village in Thailand where people are remarkably serious and diligent about building a better world, but my dad dismissively refers to it as “the hippie commune.”

How do you counter the perception among parents and teachers who see study abroad in eco-villages as a frivolous, radical or ‘hippy-dippy’ concept?

Daniel: Eco-villages are not your parents’ communes. While some can trace their roots back to the counterculture of the ’60s and ’70s, few today identify with the “hippie” stereotype. Members are generally hard working, environmentally and health conscious, and family oriented.

Anyone who believes eco-villages are marginal or irrelevant is not aware of current global trends.

Just look around. Given today’s realities of climate change and peak oil, what do you think life will be like in a coming “carbon-constrained” world?

How will we get around? Where will our food come from? What kind of work will we be doing?

Essentially, eco-villages represent humanity’s best research and development laboratories for how we can learn to live well and lightly; for how we can think globally and act locally; and for how we can recreate fulfilling, sustainable communities.

We need eco-villages more than we can imagine. They are not utopias, but they are trying, and that makes them the best “campuses” we have for people to learn about living sustainably by actually doing it!

Tim: What are some of the practical skills Living Routes students learn in eco-villages that they can apply to their lives and careers back home?

Photo courtesy LivingRoutes.org

Daniel: I like to think of our programs as journeys into community, ecology, and spirit. On the community level, students learn about such topics as conflict facilitation, non-violent communication, consensus, fair trade, and local economies.

On the ecological level, students learn about ecological design, permaculture, reforestation, organic farming, appropriate technologies, [and] renewable energies.

On the spiritual dimension, while our programs are not religious, they do encourage students to ask big questions such as “What do I believe?”, “How did I come to believe this?”, and, perhaps most importantly, “What are my options?”

Whether they are engaging with shamans in Peru or radical sustainability folks in India, students are challenged to step out of their own comfort zones and engage with holistic, integrated solutions to today’s biggest issues.

Alumni of Living Routes programs can never again say “It can’t be done.” because they have witnessed people fully dedicated to Doing It!

What’s left is for students to ask themselves, “How can I best make a difference?” “What is my ‘purpose” or ‘vocation’?”, which Frederick Buechner has wonderfully defined as “the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

The world is hungry for change and I am grateful every day for the opportunity to be living in this time where our actions are so vital and needed.

Tim: Living Routes has programs on 6 continents. What does each program have in common, and if you could only recommend one program, which would it be?

Daniel: All Living Routes’ programs are about sustainable community development and leadership for a post-carbon world.

Our primary vision is to immerse future leaders into communities that are creating new cultures that are living more sustainable “stories” about who we are in relation to each other and the planet.

You can only really hear and absorb these stories through being a part of them and that’s what makes these programs such transformational experiences.

And you can’t ask me to recommend only one. That’s like asking which is my favorite child!

Tim: One thing I struggle with as a world traveler is the fact that foreign travel, and air travel in particular, is an extremely high-impact activity. I often feel like a hypocrite, writing about sustainability and promoting low-impact lifestyles while flying from continent to continent.

Photo courtesy LivingRoutes.org

Is foreign travel compatible with the basic philosophy of eco-villages? How does Living Routes reconcile the environmental impact of travel with the values it attempts to instill?

Daniel: This is perhaps Living Routes’ biggest dilemma. How can we truly be advocates for sustainability when our programs produce over 200 metric tons of CO2/year, mostly from air travel?

The general answer is that we believe the transformation that happens on our programs and the change that ripples out from our students more than compensates for these impacts. And we’re not just taking that on faith.

In mid-2007, we started surveying students about their environmental beliefs and practices – just before, in the last few days, six-months after and two-years after each program – to examine what kinds of impacts our programs really make over time.

If, in a year or two, it becomes clear that our programs do not really change people, we are going to be hard pressed to continue running them.

More specifically, Living Routes started instituting a comprehensive carbon strategy in 2005, which to my knowledge, made us the first study abroad organization to do so. This involves measuring, reducing, and offsetting all of our office and program-related greenhouse gas emissions.

This has also been a great way to educate students about their impacts and support eco-village-based renewable energy projects.

Photo courtesy LivingRoutes.org

We’re now developing a Carbon Commitment Calculator, which will allow our students (and others!) to commit to lifestyle changes that result in a reduction in CO2 in order to offset the impact of particular events (such as our programs).

While we believe major changes in governments and corporations are a necessary part of any “great turning” towards a more ecological age, they are not sufficient.

As an organization, we are now moving beyond being “carbon neutral” towards being “carbon conscious” because it is becoming increasingly obvious that individuals and communities will need to be at the core of any lasting change. And this is where eco-villages and Living Routes are leading the way.

Community Connection

For more information on Living Routes, check outwww.livingroutes.org. To find out the location of Daniel’s favorite spot to watch the sunrise, check out his Matador profile.

Feature photo by lopesFamily. Photo above by amirjina.

Chances are, if you have a college degree and are reading this article, you are qualified to teach English in Japan. A degree in any field, English language fluency, and adaptability are the only qualifications many companies require.

Of course, a teaching certificate, a professional demeanor, and deep reserves of patience won’t hurt either. Because so many people possess the skill set required for teaching jobs in Japan, competition can be stiff. But if you know where to look and know what you’re looking for, your job search can be a success.

Who You’ll Work For

Photo by Alex Halavais.

First, you need to know what jobs are available. If you expect to walk off the plane and into a public high school classroom where you’ll plan your own lessons and develop your own curriculum, think again.

While this does happen, most entry-level jobs for foreigners are for assistant language teachers (or ALTs) at public schools or as conversation teachers at private companies.

There are one-stop programs that will place English speakers in public schools as ALTs, provide working visas, and often even pay for living expenses and transportation to Japan.

If you are looking for a tried and true program, check out JET (the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program), which is run by the Japanese government.

Applications are accepted once a year and the interview process is intensive. It is, however, worth it.

JET pays a decent living wage, provides a nationwide support network for ALTs, and takes care of all paperwork. An equally established, but privately held, ALT placement company is Interac.

Alternatively, many public and private day schools in Japan hire teachers and assistants directly. Look at the links section below to find places where these jobs might be listed.

Day school positions are ideal for those who are already residing in Japan and teachers with quite a bit of experience under their belt. Japanese speaking ability is also a big plus when applying directly with a school.

Then there’s the option of working at an English language conversation school, or eikaiwa. Eikaiwas are geared toward a wide range of students, from preschoolers to retirees.

These jobs are plentiful. Since most students at these schools have day jobs (or day classes), hours tend to be on evenings and weekends. With these positions, you are more likely to teach alone and be responsible for developing your own lesson plans.

For this reason, many companies require a teaching certificate of some kind before they’ll offer you an interview, so look into getting your TESOL or TEFL certification. Unless you go with a big corporation (and even then it’s a good idea), research the eikaiwa company you are applying with thoroughly. I will provide links to a few well-established ones in the next section.

Photo by MShades.

The Hunt

Ok. So you’ve decided on the kind of position you’re gunning for. Now where do you look?

Teaching sites: Check out these websites devoted to teaching English as a second language (ESL):

• www.daveseslcafe.com
• www.teachinginjapan.com
• www.japanenglishteacher.com

Japanese Media Sites: Many newspapers and magazines in Japan have up-to-date job listings. These are probably your best resource if you want to apply for a position directly rather than apply with a program like JET:

• Japan Times: http://classified.japantimes.com/job_search_en.php
• Metropolis Magazine: www.metropolis.co.jp
• Japanzine: www.seekjapan.jp

Eikaiwa Companies: Look for job openings and research companies directly through their websites:

• Aeon: www.aeonet.com
• Berlitz: http://careers.berlitz.com/Asia/jp/berlitz.asp?aInfo=1&cInfo=JP&cCode=44
• Geos: www.geoscareer.com
• ECC: www.japanbound.com

Photo by jrkester.

Know Before You Go

Accepting a teaching job in Japan is not the same as accepting a job in your home country. You have to think about visas and living arrangements thousands of miles away. You have to communicate with people in a foreign language and you have to leave life as you know it behind for the length of your contract term.

For a lot of people, it’s a thrilling prospect. Taking a teaching job in Japan is the chance of a lifetime to completely immerse yourself in a foreign culture. But make sure it’s right for you. Give it a good long think before hopping on a plane. Moving to and living in Japan is not easy for everyone. It wasn’t for me. It is rewarding and life-changing…but it’s not easy.

Ok, ok. You’re sure you want to do it. The next step is research.

Check with your country’s embassy and find out what the visa requirements are for working in Japan. Next, research the company or companies you are applying with. Search the internet for forums by and for English teachers in Japan. (There are more than you think, and users are nothing if not opinionated.) gaijinpot.com and ithinkimlost.com are solid sites.

I would also suggest boning up on Japanese culture. Research business practices and social customs. There are also a number of books available written by former teachers in Japan. Two books written by JET Program alumni are Learning to Bow by Bruce Feiler and Japan Diary: A Year on JET by Eric Sparling.

Photo by Andy Ciordia.

Better Your Chances

Now some tips on how to make your resume stand out when applying for an English teaching job.

• Get a teaching certificate. There are vacation TESOL courses in southern Thailand. There are online certification courses. There are weekend classes, and there are year-long intensive diploma courses. The options are plentiful for acquiring a teaching certificate. It not only makes you more marketable, but a teaching certificate course will prepare you for the day when you finally step into a classroom full of eager students.
• Learn Japanese. This is a no-brainer. If you’re moving to a foreign country– any foreign country– the more you know of that country’s language, the better. A move to Japan may seem easy and breezy after your vacation in Tokyo where English signs and English speakers abound. But once you take that job in a tiny rural town in Hokkaido, you’ll wish you had spent more time figuring out how to say “I’d like to turn on the electricity in my apartment, please.”
• Volunteer tutor. Give back to your community and build job skills at the same time. Volunteer at an after-school program to get a feel of how to work with students. Also, many cities offer opportunities to teach English as a second language to immigrants and refugees. Check out volunteermatch.org to see what is available in your area.

Photo by gwaar.

Finding a teaching job in Japan doesn’t have to be a daunting task …as long as you know what to look for. Remember to do your research and think it through. Good luck, and I’ll see you in school!

Community Connection: For more advice on looking for work in Asia, check out Mike Jones’s “Top 10 Online Resources for Finding a Job in Asia.”

Feature photo by mars-hill Photo above by mars-hill

ACLE has begun recruiting for English teaching positions in holiday camps around Italy. The season runs for twelve weeks starting in June.

ACLE have been running for over twenty-five years and were the first organisation in Italy running Theatre in Education programmes to be endorsed by the Italian Ministry of Education.

You do not need a teaching or TEFL qualification to work for ACLE, although they are an advantage. The company stresses an informal teaching approach with drama, games and interactivity foremost. Training is given in a four to five day preparatory camp near San Remo where you can share ideas with past tutors, understand the organisation’s vision and teaching methodology.

Photo by mars-hill

No arrival or departure costs are covered by ACLE. You must hold travel insurance and, in addition, pay for an in-house training/orientation camp before starting work with them.

Near the end of the season they often drop the orientation camp fee if they are in need of extra teachers. After starting teaching, transport within Italy is paid for and accommodation is arranged. This is either in a hotel or with host families: a real chance to immerse yourself in Italian life.

Salaries for new tutors are 220 euros a week for non-residential “City Camps” and 240 a week for residential “Summer Camps”. Returning tutors earn 20 euros more for each programme. Salaries are paid at the end of your contract, although you can request payments in advance.

Candidates must:

• Be a Native English speaker (distinct foreign accents are not acceptable). GENUINELY enjoy working with children.
• Be energetic, positive, flexible and know how to smile.
• Be aged between 20 and 30 by June 1st of the year in which you are applying (Please note you may still apply if your age is outside this range) or have completed a minimum of a year at university, college or experienced a gap year!
• Be in possession of a valid passport. If you are in the process of applying for your passport, please send in your
  application followed by a copy of your passport once you have obtained it.

To find out more or apply for a position with ACLE, visit their website.

Photo by poagao, Feature photo by yakobusan

From the rapidly changing economic and political centers of Beijing and Shanghai, to indigenous cultures of the south, China has a wide variety of opportunities for study available. Whether you are interested in history, business, food, politics, or culture, there will be a place and a program for you.

University or Private School?

The first question you should ask yourself is whether you want to study at a Chinese university or through a private program. If learning Chinese is your primary concern, then studying at a Chinese university is probably the best option. Most major universities offer programs for foreign students of all ability levels. The focus on language these programs provide, as well as their total immersion, almost guarantees a huge improvement in your Chinese competency.

Private programs are generally a better option for those interested in more specific academic subjects. These programs tend to be comprised of only foreign students, but offer focused study of a specific topic like art, anthropology, economics, or business.

Often, language study is incorporated as well, but with less contact with Chinese students and shorter periods devoted to language, you may not see the same results in this area.

There are many different places to study abroad in China, and with so many options it can be hard to find the one that is best for you. Here are eight of the most popular places to study abroad, each with its own special characteristics and advantages.

Beijing

Beijing is the political and cultural heart of China. It is also the educational and administrative center of the country. This an important consideration for the study abroad student for two reasons. First, there are many universities offering programs for foreign students. From the very popular Beijing Language and Culture University to the internationally acclaimed Peking University, there is a school in Beijing that will fit your goals.

As the administrative capital of China, Beijing has the advantage of being home to the dialect that is officially the national standard. This means that the Beijing dialect is an internationally recognized standard that will transfer well to future applications in business and academics.

Shanghai

Shanghai is the financial center of China. Students interested in business and economics, or those who want to experience life in a vibrant cosmopolitan metropolis, will find what they are looking for with a program in Shanghai.

From museums to architecture, shopping to nightlife, a semester studying in Shanghai is easily as much about experiencing this exciting city as it is time in the classroom. Fudan University and the very central Shanghai Jiaotong University are popular options for foreign students.

photo by doctorow

Qingdao

Located on the coast of China between Beijing and Shanghai, the port city of Qingdao has the feeling of a relaxed beach side resort in the warmer months. The architecture of Qingdao is noticeably European, a holdover from the city’s days as a German colonial outpost, and is the home of the famous Qingdao Beer brewery.

Famous for its street food and quiet nightlife, Qingdao provides a great setting for a more relaxed semester abroad. A popular place for foreign students to study is Qingdao University.

Xi’an

Xi’an was an ancient capital of China and a major stopping point on the Silk Road and other Asian trade routes. For these reasons, those interested in ancient Chinese history could not pick a better place to study abroad.

In addition to the numerous archaeological and historical sites, Xi’an is a great jumping off point for explorations of central China and, in recent years, has developed a nightlife scene that has come to rival that of the coastal cities. If you are interested in studying in Xi’an, two great places to start your search are the Xi’an Jiatong University and the Xi’an International Studies University.

photo by phil_lai

Kunming

Yunnan province has the largest variety and population of minorities in all of China. In addition to this ethnic diversity, Yunnan offers a wide range of geography, from the high mountains of the Tibetan plateau to the low jungles reminiscent of the province’s Southeast Asian neighbors.

This makes Kunming, the capital of Yunnan and one of the most beautiful cities in China, an excellent place to study for any student interested in anthropology and minority culture. A good place to start looking for programs is the University of Yunnan. If you are interested in studying minority cultures, a great program is SIT’s semester in Yunnan Province.

Something Completely Different:

If you are interested in a more unique study abroad experiences in China, there are several places that can offer something completely different.

Hong Kong

One of the most vibrant cities in Asia and the world, Hong Kong offers a confluence of cultures, a thriving economy, and a night life that is unmatched in most of China. Whether you choose to study at the University of Hong Kong, the Asia-Pacific Institute of Business, or through some other school or program, Hong Kong will provide an exciting place to spend your time.

One thing to keep in mind is that, while Hong Kong has something for everyone, from shopping to hiking, the main language is Cantonese not the Mandarin spoken on the mainland. If you are interested in studying Mandarin Chinese, Hong Kong is not the best choice.

photo by mariaismawi

Xinjiang

Xinjiang is China’s large northwestern province, home to the sizable Uygher Muslim minority group. For many visitors, entering Xinjiang from coastal China is like crossing into another country. The architecture and people take on a more Central Asian appearance, mosques outnumber temples, and the musky smell of roasting lamb fills the streets.

Whether you decide to study in the provincial capital Urumqi at a major university like Xinjiang University, or through a program in a smaller city or town, studying abroad in Xinjiang provides an opportunity to study a variety of languages and a unique culture in a very different part of China.

Tibet

The high mountains and Buddhist culture of Tibet is nearly legendary. For the international student, a study abroad experience in Tibet can be like no other. It can also be a serious logistical challenge. If you decide that you want to study in Tibet, it is best to start planning well in advance.

There are several programs set up through partnerships between Chinese and American universities. Unlike other places in China it is advisable that prospective students work through one of these well established partnerships, or through something like the excellent SIT Tibetan and Himalayan Studies program, instead of making arrangements for yourself.

photo by asianinsights

Visas

Visitors from most countries require a visa to enter China. However, if you plan to study in China, you will require a special visa. For those looking to study for six months or less, the F class visa, often called a business visa, is required. This requires a letter of invitation from the school at which you intend to study, at least two empty pages in your passport, a completed visa application, a few passport photos, and payment of the visa fee.

If you plan to study for more than six moths, then the X class visa is required. The process for acquiring this visa is the same as for the F visa, except a physical examination will be required. For those unable to obtain an X visa from their home country, it is sometimes possible to upgrade a standard tourist visa once in China. Ask your program administrator in advance if this is the case.

From Beijing to Shanghai, Hong Kong to Tibet, there is something for everyone in China. The large, rapidly changing, country is exciting and at times intimidating. However, by narrowing down your search, it is easy to see that China is an ideal place to study abroad.

Travel Insurance

For long term study abroad plans, travel insurance is highly recommendable. Make sure your policy is tailored to wherever you’re going in China.

Photo by Kresta King Cutcher

Alexis Wolff explores the most unique and exciting study abroad opportunities on the African continent.

A decade ago, simply deciding to study abroad in Africa assured that your experience would be unique. Today, with growing interest in the continent and more study abroad options than ever, those seeking an experience different from their classmates also need to pick the right program. Here are some to consider:

Equatorial Guinea – Arcadia University’s Bioko Island Program

What better place to learn about sustainable development and conservation than on a tropical island in the Gulf of Guinea? In addition to intensive academic coursework and extensive field study with experts at the National University of Equatorial Guinea, students give back to the host community through various service learning opportunities, including teaching ESL or working in a clinic.

Kenya – The School for Field Studies’ Wildlife Management Studies Program

This is no ordinary semester in Kenya. Students don’t live at universities in Nairobi but instead in thatched-roof bandas at three different bush camps in geographical regions at various stages of development. Learn about elephant ecology, interview local Maasai about conservation priorities and assist the Kenya Wildlife Service in a number of field research projects. Students also have the opportunity to complete direct research of their own.

Niger – Boston University’s Niamey International Development Program

In addition to classroom studies of development, language and society, all students complete an individual community service placement that examines Niger’s culture and ongoing development efforts.

Past students have worked at a non-profit dedicated to free and fair elections, volunteered at an orphanage and apprenticed with a Tuareg silversmith.

South Africa – CIEE’s Service Learning Program in Cape Town

Education takes place not only on the campus of the University of Cape Town but also in the townships in and around the city where students volunteer. Past community service placements have included a mobile clinic and a youth advocacy non-profit. Students complete a final project based on the service they have performed.

photo by Kresta King Cutcher

Tunisia – Popular Culture & Globalization in the Arab World

This new program based in Tunis allows students to study popular culture through the lens of diverse media in the Arab world.

Living with host families, students complete seven weeks of coursework before a four-week independent project.

Sample topics include Bluetooth and dating, Arab reality TV, homosexuality in Islam and malls and social change.

This is just a sampling of the many exciting opportunities for students to experience Africa. Talk to your university’s study abroad office about other programs, find a good travel insurance policy, and go for it! A semester abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Make yours count.

Community Connection!

Becky Timbers is a photographer currently working on a cruise ship in Baja who participated in the Kenya Field Studies program a couple years ago.

Did you study abroad in Africa? Wondering if you should? Please leave a comment below!