Blog: Canepa ’12 Plans to Live Out Passion for Sciences, Animals in Kenya/Tanzania Study Abroad Experience

NAME Hannah Canepa ’12

HOMETOWN Lakewood, Ohio

AREAS OF STUDY Biology major with an environmental studies minor in the health professions program

WHERE SHE’S STUDYING Haven Nature Camp, Tanzania & Kilimanjaro Bush Camp, Kenya

WHY SHE CHOSE KENYA “As a student in the health professions program with a demanding science curriculum, studying abroad never seemed like an easy option for me. However, the School for Field Studies (SFS) offers a semester program that is highly focused on sciences, environmental science and biology in particular. In addition to being able to take approved science classes while abroad, SFS presents an opportunity to partake in research.”

WHAT SHE’S MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO “I am most excited to see the wildlife and land of the Massai tribe firsthand. Who wouldn’t want to wake up on a Monday morning to Mount Kilimanjaro and Vervet monkeys? I am also looking forward to my Swahili Language & East African Tribal Communities course. Studying the Swahili language alongside the Kenyan/Tanzanian Tribal/Massai socio-culture should provide a strong immersion into a culture that is fascinating to me — and should serve as a much-needed contrast among a highly science focused program.”

WHY SHE’S BLOGGING “I’ve loved to write my entire life. I hope to make other science majors more aware of their opportunity to study abroad. Many students in the health professions program seem to think it’s impossible to leave Holy Cross and stay on track with our courses, but that is not the case. At the risk of sounding cliché, college is where you’re supposed to have your own experiences and learn as much as you can about yourself and the world around you. SFS makes it extremely easy to leave for one semester and have one of the most unique experiences of your life.”

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