On to the next adventure

SEE-U is over! Five weeks went by so fast! But I actually think that 5 weeks is a perfect amount of time for this program--a month would be too short and if we were here any longer, I think there might be a considerable mortality rate. (SO much drama went down last night. It was ridiculous, though I have stayed drama-free for the duration of the program. Thank god.)

I think my PowerPoint presentation went really well yesterday. Everything came together the night before, just in time, thanks to Tim. He showed me another way to look at my data; I ended up changing my question and including some new research, moving the focus from wild mammals to domesticated animals. Which made my data statistically significant!

I was a little nervous when I first stood to present in front of the group--especially since I had to go last and my stomach was a little jittery from the extended anticipation--but it only took a few seconds before I became totally comfortable. I put down the note cards I had made and just spoke freely. Presenting has always been one of my strengths and this program has improved my technique, thanks to all of the PowerPoints we had to make (which I no longer resent). After this experience, I'm definitely inclined to take other field courses like this one and maybe even do research in the future!

Hannah and I are going to leave in the early van tomorrow, about 5am. We were going to leave IPE at noon, but we decided to leave earlier so we can spend the whole day exploring Sao Paulo. I'm so excited! And I think Hannah and I will get along really well. Last night we talked about going out while we're there, and we both agree that we should chill in our sick hotel, watch movies, and maybe drink some wine instead. When I party, I BRING it. But I think I've had more to drink in the last 5 weeks than my entire sophomore year of college! I'm ready to chilllll.

This has been a blast. I am so glad that I came here--to Brazil and to this program. (I can't believe I was thinking about attending SEE-U in the Dominican Republic instead of here--the DR can't touch this place.) Now it's time to move on, on to the next adventure. I've learned so much in the last month; I think I've grown a lot as a person. I'm not sure if I've made any real friends, but I'm not really surprised since I've never been one to bond easily. I've definitely met some amazing people though. And I feel a lot more confident about both my international travel abilities and my potential as an environmental scientist.

I'm off to see the rest of the world!

Ciao!