First post! July 25, 2008

Hello Friends,

 

Welcome to my blog site! I’m probably writing this post long before I will send out the web address as it is still 28 days until I depart for India! The summer seems to have flown by and I already feel like I’ve procrastinated in getting everything taken care of for my trip. Who would have guessed how much goes into leaving the country for an entire semester! A couple weeks ago I began my vaccine series with Hep A, Polio, and the Japanese Encephalitis vaccines. Today I began an oral Typhoid vaccine. (Cross my fingers that I have had no adverse effects from any of them, yet!)

 

I’ll begin by telling you a little about the program. It’s called “Biology in South India” and offered through St. Olaf. I will still be enrolled as a full time student, taking a full course load. Nine other St. Olaf students will be going, although I will not be with the “large” group the entire time. The term structure will be split into (basically) three parts. The first three weeks will be spent in Chennai as a city orientation getting to know customs, infrastructure, and basic workings of the city. We’ll barter with rickshaw drivers and buy our whole new wardrobe of saris. The next week will be spent in a rural area, orientating ourselves to a place with little electricity and materialistic goods. I’m already looking forward to getting behind those man powered plows…

 

In late September we will split into smaller groups to head out to our first research sites. My first site will be “RUHSA” (Rural Unit for Health and Social Affairs), Vellore. I am scheduled to work on care and prevention strategies for children as well as preparing a health care plan and educational materials for them. Alternatively, I may address adult dental and oral health assessing the kinds of problems (sores, cavities, loss of teeth) and realistic care and prevention strategies. This sounds pretty official, ha, and maybe a little gruesome but I am incredibly excited for the challenges it will bring.

 

From October 31st until November 12th we will then have a travel break. My plans are in the works now…  My boyfriend, Tate Ashton, is planning on joining me for another one of our infamous adventures. It is sounding like we will meet in Delhi and spend most of our time there and in the surrounding area (such as visiting the Tashmahal!).

 

Mid November we will begin our second projects. I will be with a group of three Olaf students at Mudamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. It will be a complete 180^o in regards to my research as I will be doing an ecological project related to long term predictions for the jungle surrounding Mudamalai. If I’ve ever wanted my share of wild, exotic animals, hopefully I can get it here! From the website: www.restorationfarms.com/south-india-wildlife-parks/mudumalai-sanctuary.html I can expect to be awed!

“Wild elephant, gaur, deer and primates like the bonnet macaque and langurs all inhabit the Park. The predators include the tiger, leopard and the dhole – the Asiatic wild dog that hunts in packs. The predators of the skies are the crested hawk eagle and the crested serpent eagle that can be seen circling above.”

 

Maybe mosquitoes are the least of my worries.

 

The program will end in mid December. Our group is planning on a few days in Goa on the beach to relax before we make the long plane ride home.

 

 

So, I hope that I can let you into my world while I’m exploring South Asia. I’ll have a better idea of my internet capabilities when I arrive. Please don’t hesitate to leave comments and keep in touch. I’m going to need some love from home!

 

 

I’ll post soon! I send my love!