What inspired you to travel abroad?
I have been wanting to go abroad and work in Wildlife Conservation for as long as I can remember. I've also wanted to become a Wildlife Vet for just as long.
When I finished school, I knew I wanted to take a Gap Year before I started studying. I wanted to see more of the world and meet lots of new people with similar interests.
Why did you choose Natucate?
My family and I took a trip to Botswana with the tour operator, Consafarity. We did this the year prior and Theda, who is the founder and also works with Natucate, recommended the organization to us.
After looking into it further, I found four of their programs really fit with what I wanted to do. So in my first phone call with Daniel, we looked into which two would be the best fit for me and the time of year I wanted to go.
This is the wall we all worked hard together to build in our two weeks abroad.
What was your favorite part about your host country/city?
I love the nature in Namibia, it's really beautiful and makes you feel right at home. The people were also a big part of why I loved it there so much.
It's such a bright mix of cultures in the cities and then in the desert we met a few people from the Damara culture and they taught me a lot. They told us stories and ate with us and were really inviting and friendly.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Definitely the people. I miss everyone so much and I can't wait to go back soon! Everyone was so passionate, funny and just made my time there really special.
Also, I had some really fantastic animal encounters, like having elephants walk super close to the car or watching them sleep in the afternoon heat. We also spent some time watching them drink and play and it made for some really cool memories.
Our nights around the fire were some of my favorite memories during my gap year.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Someone from Natucate checked in with me every few weeks, just to make sure everything was alright. When I did have an issue or a question, the reply was always very quick and helpful, providing me with possible solutions. I always felt like I was in good hands and if a serious issue should come up, it would be resolved right away.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I wish I would've brought a few more brown and green or at least darker (fit for the bush) t-shirts, long shirts, a dress to throw on quickly and at least one pair of Jeans. I only had outdoorsy clothes, but we spent a few days in a city, so one pair of normal trousers would have been nice. I also wish I had brought hand sanitizer, more wet wipes and a second pair of gloves, if only to share them with the rest of the group, as some people didn't have any.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
The program was split into two weeks, "Build Week” which included building a wall around a local water source. The second week was "Patrol Week" which involved tracking and following the elephant herds.
For Build Week, we would usually start early in the morning by gathering rocks with half of the group at a local hill, while the other half started mixing cement. Then we would start building the wall, by finding big rocks that fit and laying them on a layer of cement. We would continue this until the wall was finished or the week would be over.
In Patrol Week, we tracked one of the two herds of desert elephants and would watch them all day. We only took breaks for lunch and to set up camp in the evening.
I got to see an elephant out in the wild very close to where I was in the car.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
We had free time in the afternoon, when it was too hot to work or drive. We would usually lay in the shade and nap or read, talk and eat. In our spare time in Build Week, I read, did Yoga and sorted through pictures. We also went on hikes after getting the okay from one of the guides, so we would climb one of the hills in sight or walk a route that someone showed us to a local spring.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We slept on mats on the ground. Everyone had to bring their own sleeping bag and during Build Week, we were allowed to bring tents, if we wanted. During Patrol Week there was no space for tents so everyone slept on the ground under the sky, which was really beautiful.
In Patrol Week, there was no toilet and no shower. If you had to go, you had to dig a hole and close it up right after because we were always on the move. During Build Week, we set up a toilet, by digging a deep hole and putting a seat over it. We had a bucket shower, if you wanted to.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
It is definitely very basic and in nature. There are insects of all kinds, snakes, scorpions, etc. and it is hard work. However, it is also very rewarding and you become so close as a group, very fast. It's really hot and if you don't think you can work a long day by carrying rocks in the heat, then this might not be the best option for you.
This was right after we worked to get sand to mix with cement, not as easy as you would think.
Would you recommend Natucate to others? Why?
Yes, I definitely recommend Natucate! I had the most amazing three months in nature and met really amazing people. I got the opportunity to watch so many cool animals and landscapes and learn a ton from nature and the local people.
I also got to know myself better. It's certainly an adventure, but one of the best kind and I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could right now.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Getting to know new and different cultures, meeting people of all walks of life and learning new things. Everytime I travel I discover something new about myself and what I want to do with my life. I also met some of my best friends this way, who I am still in contact with today and have contacts all over the world.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I definitely miss it a lot, especially the freeing feeling of nobody caring how you look or what clothes you wear and the way you become so close so quickly as a group, because you share a passion. I have become even more sure of what I want to do with my life and how I want to work. I also think it can help people gain confidence and become more independent.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel to me is about experiencing the local culture and meeting local people, talking to them and trying out their food. As well as learning about myself, growing as a person and creating new memories. Animals are also very important to me, so I always want to learn about them and see the local wildlife and nature.
