Postcards from Abroad heads to Central America to visit Alison Stouffer of the Muhlenberg women's track & field team. Stouffer is a biology major studying in Panama City, Panama.
How have classes been in Panama?
While I am abroad I am taking Tropical Ecology, Human Ecology, Spanish for the Sciences, Research Methods and Ethics, and I have a month to carry out an independent research project (ISP). My favorite of these classes is Tropical Ecology. We have learned about forest structure and mangrove/seagrass ecology so far. These classes are "in the field" so my group travels around Panama to places that best represent the unit and spend about a week in the area to study and learn hands-on about the various ecosystems.
Have you been able to travel at all during your time abroad?
I haven't been able to travel on my own during my time abroad. However, because of the nature of my program, I travel to a new part of Panama practically every week. It has been a lot of fun. My favorite place so far was on a small island in the Caribbean. The other place that I look forward to seeing is also on the coast. We are going there for our coral reef unit.
What has been your favorite part about being abroad?
My favorite part about being abroad has been learning to go with the flow. I am a very schedule-oriented person and the program I am on has a tendency to steer away from the plan. It has also been really refreshing to have this because it is so far from the traditional university setting that it doesn't even feel like I am here for school but rather here to learn by being present and doing things in a far more hands-on manner.
Why did you decide that you wanted to go abroad?
There are quite a few reasons that I wanted to go abroad. I love to travel. I knew that going abroad would be an amazing opportunity for me to see another part of the world while learning about something that I am very passionate about. I also really love that my program incorporates homestay elements so I am given the opportunity to have real conversations with native Spanish speakers, which is something that is hard to come by at school.
Any messages for your teammates back home?
I want my teammates to know that I really miss them and I can't wait to see them when I return. They have been a silent support system even when I am so far away from home. I also want the freshman to know that I am very excited to get to know them during indoor season!
Previous "Postcards"
Michael Rainone, Men's Track and Field (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Joey Goret, Men's Lacrosse (Maastricht, Netherlands)
Alyssa Curtis, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field (Rabat, Morocco)
Madeline Mullett, Women's Lacrosse (Maastricht, Netherlands)
