Winter 2017 Contributors

Brandon Pollard

Hello, my name is Brandon Pollard and I am a Junior at Rutgers University. My major is Environmental Policy, Institutions and Behavior, with a minor in Sustainability. I will be doing study abroad this Winter break in the Biology of Neotropical Habitats: Ecuador & Galapagos Islands program. I have always had a passion for traveling; with this opportunity, I will finally be given the chance to understand the outside world. By engaging in this program, I hope that it will allow me to become more in tune with my natural surroundings, which is the essence of what I study at Rutgers.

Danielle Kulyk

My name is Danielle Kulyk and I’m a sophomore in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the Honors College. I’m majoring in animal science (pre-veterinary medicine and research track) with a minor in microbiology. I’m excited to be studying abroad in Belize this winter! I hope that through this program I will be able to learn more about large animal veterinary practices and be able to view animal care from an entirely different perspective. I’m most excited to learn about the culture in Belize as well as their perspectives on animal health care and how it differs from us.

Emily Griffin

My name is Emily Griffin and I am a third year animal science student at Rutgers University. I have known I wanted to work with animals my entire life. Over the summer, I work at the Bergen County Zoo with all sorts of amazing animals. I love working there and I am so excited to study at the Belize Zoo over the winter break and learn more about what I love.

Emily McCue

Hi! My name is Emily McCue and I am a junior in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University. I am majoring in environmental science, with a minor in sustainability. This winter I am traveling to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands to study the biology of neotropical habitats. When I return from this trip, I hope to have obtained new knowledge about tropical ecosystems, as well as a better understanding of sustainable practices and conservation strategies in South America. I cannot wait to see what this adventure has in store for me!

Hannah O'Brien

My name is Hannah O'Brien and I am a Junior at SEBS at Rutgers University majoring in Nutritional Science. I am so excited to be traveling to Spain in January 2018 for three weeks taking the course "Language and Culture of Seville, Spain". We will learn about the relationship between the food and culture of Spain. The course will have cooking classes, visits to organic farms, oil producing factories, vineyards and other places of interest in the culinary world. I want to learn about the history of Seville and customs of the people in Spain. The course aims to have students understand Spanish culture and history through its cuisine and studying the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. This is a perfect course for my Nutrition Major. I can't wait to arrive in Seville, Spain and live in the community learning as much as I can about their culture.

Leena Roy

Hi! My name is Leena Roy. I am a junior studying Animal Science with a concentration in PreVeterinary Medicine/Research. I'm really excited for my study abroad in Belize - from the class itself, it's amazing hands on approach to education, and just the total experience. I can't wait to meet the local people, eat different foods, and see and experience the beautiful country of Belize. I can't wait to become friends with others in my program as well, and travel this country with them. The values and adventures one acquires while traveling independently really help to further shape them as a person. I can't wait to see more of this bigger world.

Michelle Arias

Hello! My name is Michelle Arias and I am a senior studying Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources. This winter I will be traveling to Belize to study Wildlife Health, Ecology, and Conservation. My main goal for this trip is to learn more about the practices and programs in wildlife conservation and education since this is a field that I plan to pursue in the future. I can't wait to take part in every aspect of this trip, but I am most excited for activities such as monitoring wild and captive animals, bird banding and mist netting. I am always searching for new adventures that will help me grows as a person and I am sincerely grateful for SEBS for making my Belize adventure a possibility!