Our last "Postcard" of the semester has us leaving Europe and traveling all the way to the University of Botswana in the city of Gaborone, Botswana, to catch up with track and field junior Julia Leep-Lazar. She is a biology major with a minor in public health. Here is her experience studying abroad in Africa. 

Have you visited any other countries? If so, which was your favorite?
Yes, my favorite place has been Malorlocha, Swaziland, where we went ziplining through a gorge in the nature preserve and took a hike through the mountains to a waterfall. I also loved Tofo Beach in Mozambique, where we were able to snorkel with dolphins in the wild.

What classes are you taking? Which is your favorite?
I am taking Parasitology, Botswana Literature, HIV/AIDS Education Control and Prevention in Botswana, a community health practicum, Public and Environmental Health in Botswana, and Introduction to Setswana and Botswana Culture. My favorite class is the community health practicum where we are able to shadow in local clinics as well as visit some more rural clinics.

What made you go abroad?
I have always known I wanted to go abroad because I love traveling and experiencing new places. I chose Botswana in particular because I plan to work in international healthcare and hopefully become a part of Doctors Without Borders. With this in mind the program in Botswana was an obvious choice because Gaborone is a lovely introduction to Southern Africa. It is so safe and peaceful and the people are so friendly and welcoming, so as my first time on the whole continent of Africa, I thought this would be a good choice. 

What are you doing to train and prepare for your sport while so far away?
Just this year UB just finished building its athletic center, so you can pay a few dollars for a membership there. I've mostly been trying to keep up with lifting, cardio and flexibility. Every so often I can use some of the aerobics rooms to practice some of the more technical aspects of throwing such as drills for throwing discus. One of the hardest things is staying hydrated in the heat here. Botswana is a desert and right now we are in the middle of summer. It is extremely dry so you may have to drink 2-3 liters of water each time you work out. 

Any advice on going abroad?
The one thing I would emphasize most is to make sure your sport isn't holding you back. We only have one chance to be in college and it's so important that we take full advantage of our opportunities here. Your sport and team will still be there when you get home, but you don't want to look back on you college experience and regret not going on these adventures. They will change you, but only for the better. 

Previous "Postcards":
Hanna Caiola, Softball (Siena, Italy)
Kaci Gregory, Track & Field (Aix-en-Provence, France)
Shana Joseph, Track & Field (Sydney, Australia)
Erin Pachter, Track & Field (Florence, Italy)
Michael Havkins, Track & Field (Maastricht, the Netherlands)
Amelia Shelley, Softball (Salamanca, Spain)
Kailey Fandl, Women's Lacrosse (Maastricht, the Netherlands)