Hakuna Matata

Hujambo,

My time in Tanzania is slowly starting to come to an end. My last excursion before my final week in this wonderful country is being spent in Zanzibar. Today, I was able to travel to the Serengeti National Park, in search of the many different types of wildlife that inhabit the safari.

I felt like I was in a jungle movie. My group and I were picked up in multiple green land rovers, before the sun came up so that we could have as much daylight as possible during this experience. Overall, I enjoyed all of the time in Tanzania that I have spent, but this was a big highlight in the itinerary for me. One of my favorite Disney movies of all time is the Lion King, so I was looking forward to seeing Simba and all of his companions. My tour guide even told me that the landscape in the movie was inspired by the Serengeti National Park. The closest I had ever been to wildlife like this was a zoo, but this was a completely different experience for me. I didn’t know what to expect at all, but I am very happy that I was able to go on this journey.

I was able to spend about six hours in the Serengeti, which meant I got to see almost every animal that lives there. I saw lions, elephants, a large wildebeest migration, monkeys, baboons, snakes, giraffes, and zebras. Being able to see these animals in their natural state and not in cages was such an amazing thing to see. I was so close to these animals that if I wanted to touch them I could. I would have never in a million years thought that I would be in Africa going on a safari, but thanks to the scholarships provided by the Fund for Education Abroad, I was able to see the world in a way I never thought I would be able to. This opportunity has pushed me out of my comfort zone for good reasons. If I hadn’t received this funding, I would have been stuck with my imagination of what this experience would’ve been like.

During my time at the Serengeti National Park, I thought about how I could use the photos and videos I’ve taken to educate others about life in Tanzania. I know a lot of people think that in Africa there are lions and elephants just roaming around, but I have proof that that is not the case. I want my experience to show the good and amazing parts of Africa that I, as an American, never had the chance to see before studying abroad. Having the opportunity to study abroad has allowed me to witness and experience things that I never thought were possible for a student in my position. Words cannot truly describe or define how wonderful this experience has been for me.

I hope my photos inspire many students to explore Africa and other parts of the world!