Richard Hansrote | Fall 2017
I spent the fall semester of 2017 studying abroad in Tanzania with SIT. The program theme was Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology.
We were based in Arusha, the third-largest city in Tanzania, but we spent over a month camping in various national parks. We visited Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Mazumbai Forest Reserve, and Serengeti National Park. On top of this, we did a 3-week homestay in a rural village outside of Arusha and even lived with the Maasai for 3 days!
Studying abroad was hands-down the best part of my undergraduate experience. The staff members were knowledgeable and made our time there fantastic. The locals were warm and inviting. We saw the Great Migration in person, and I even had the chance to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. I will be forever grateful to both UT and SIT for making this adventure possible.
What does the Volunteer Experience mean to you and how has your experience abroad contributed to it?
To me, the Volunteer experience was not just about learning inside the classroom, but learning how to properly engage with the world writ la
rge. By studying abroad, I had the chance to immerse myself in a culture completely different than my own. The homestays truly integrated meinto the culture to a leve
l that is nearly impossible to achieve otherwise. I learned by participating in conservation efforts firsthand rather than learning about them in a classroom 8,000 miles away.
Shout-out to my grandfather, Tony Ezell, the biggest Tennessee fan in America. He has been getting football season tickets since ’96, and every shirt he owns is orange or white. He has spent his life in the service of others and was a major reason I attended UT. Love ya man!
What skills or experiences have you had in your time abroad to prepare you for life beyond UT?
Studying abroad really encouraged me to join the Army. I have always been a patriot, but studying abroad instilled in me a desire to see the world and all it had to offer. During my time as a medic, we were sent to Poland twice. Studying abroad really prepared me for time away from home, as well as navigating foreign countries with little oversight. I was frequently chosen to medically evacuate soldiers to Germany because of my prior experience abroad. Studying abroad helped me get accepted into medical school, and after I complete school, I plan to volunteer overseas thanks to this experience.
Early in the program, we did an intensive 3-week course in Swahili. It was a good thing I paid attention because I spent a lot of time navigating around the country alone. Studying abroad increased my self-efficacy and taught me how to rely on myself when traveling alone in foreign countries, especially when you are obviously not a local. I learned how to rough it for long periods and do without, skills that served me well later when I joined the Army.
“Global Engagement is important because it helps us foster mutual understanding, respect, and better relations with people of different nations.“ -Richard Hansrote