Describe a typical day at work with Round River.
We wake up at 5:30 in the morning and quickly have some coffee or breakfast. While students eat, I check the car to see if it's still kicking and ready for another day in the field. We leave at 6:00 a.m. and drive a 20km road, counting every herbivore we see: two impala, one adult female and one sub-adult male; four zebra; 55 elephants; three warthogs; and so on. This data is registered, and later analysed to help us understand population dynamics in the Okavango Delta. On our route we often encounter beautiful and interesting birds and predators too.
We work hand-in-hand with the local community and learn so much from them. From bird calls and mammal tracks, to finding new ways of looking at plants. On this day we learned how to use the root of the Kalahari Star Apple as a toothbrush
What is your favorite part of your job?
Being in the field and getting submerged in the field life: cooking over the fire, following the sun as the only source of light, hearing the bird calls in the morning, and the high activity of prey and predators in the river at night, in the dark, while I watch the stars through the roof mesh of my tent.
We have several animal sightings everyday, and elephants are common amongst them. This bull was a little shy and decided not to engage with us, and masterfully hid under a tree instead
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
Challenges vary. They can be anything from a huge storm that floods all of our tents, to a student being in a really bad mood after having done poorly on an assignment, to us having little water to shower for a few days. Patience, communication, and a good mood really go a long way. It's easy to put things in perspective when you are in such a breathtaking landscape that is also home to people who sometimes struggle so much to get by. Acknowledging that our personal problems are small and that it's such a privilege to work here helps us move forward and face the challenges.
Why should someone choose Round River over competitors?
This is a really immersive program that allows students to get very relevant field experience while also working alongside local people and getting school credit. It really is a complete package because it entails school work, volunteer work, and cultural exchange.
A Natural History walk for grass and wildflowers
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
A better and broader awareness of the world and its many, many facets and problems, as well as an intense field experience that will help them leverage their careers.
If you could participate on one of Round River’s programs, where would you go and what would you do?
I would go to the Botswana program and I would love to take part in one of the community-oriented projects. I would also try to be responsible for a lot of the data entry and checking, and would try my hardest to learn the local language.
What hopes do you have for the future of Round River?
I hope that the programs keep developing and that we can spread our reach to others areas of the world as well. We do robust research and have very strong partnerships with local stakeholders. I hope to see those develop even more in the future.
Enjoying another amazing sunset while a herd of elephants splashed around
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Bring all of your excitement, and come open-hearted and ready for one of the most amazing experiences of your life. You will be baffled by how stunning this place is; you will laugh, then cry, then laugh again. You will learn how to make some good food and also have a few failed dishes. You will spend time with the amazing people from here, and be mesmerized by the wildlife. You will never forget this experience!
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
A new language brings in itself a whole other world. It goes beyond learning words: there is a cultural background and history that come attached to speaking other languages, and those are invaluable. Each new language learned expands one’s knowledge in brand new directions.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel means truly and wholeheartedly engaging in the experience. It means trusting people you have never met, trying new food, communicating as well as you can, and interacting with the environment and people. It means being responsible in your choices, purchases, and actions. It means leaving the place behind as a better person, and trying to leave a positive mark, even if a small one.
