Before the Beginning: Wageningen

Samantha:

This is my first blog, a few hours before our plane is scheduled to fly out tonight. Honestly, a pressing concern I have right now is whether the weather will allow us to fly out on time, seeing as though we are expecting a huge storm in Chicago. Other than that, I am very anxious and excited to finally get to Europe. I have been fortunate to travel to both the Caribbean and Brazil on past study tours that I have completed, however I feel that this one will be very different.
I cannot wait to experience the different culture and meet all types of new people.
Professionally, I am excited to see how zoos and aquariums operate there. My desired career of working with marine wildlife will take me all over the world someday and I feel it is important to optimize my exposure to other countries now. I am excited to work with the Aquaculture department at Wageningen, since we have nothing like it at the University of Illinois. I am also looking forward to participate in the animal behavior based course that the students who went last summer completed. I cannot wait to land and I am really hoping Chicago allows us to leave on time!