Study abroad stuff

Hey!

So I went to the study abroad office this week to take a look at what was available for next year. The workers there are very helpful, and the variety of places to go is pretty incredible. Besides all of the wonderful, amazing places I can go to take regular classes (Greece, all over Great Britain, Australia, etc.) there are two major possibilities that focus on Environmental Studies.

The first is in South Africa, which I really do not have any real desire to spend a semester in; the second is New Zealand, which despite its alarming lack of orcs or hobbits, sounds like an awesome place to go. Looking at the programs that these places offer, it really depends on what I want to focus in more. For example, since much of South Africa is impoverished, I could get a real view of the effects of a changing environment on a poor nation. The program there is headed and actually led there by one of my favorite Profs, Prof. Hazlett, and would be really interesting and enlightening. Still, I just don't want to go to South Africa very much. =(

New Zealand would be much more comfortable, and apparently the group there is fairly small (like 21 students) and led by a young, well-liked Alumnus of CMC. I could round out the environmental classes with philosophy or ethics courses at the college in Auckland. The big thing about this program is that it begins earlier than others with a five-week field component around Fiji and on the North Island, where we'd get to study the local volcanology, marine ecology, and Native Maori perspectives on the environment. It's an awesome opportunity, but it would mean leaving in mid/early January. Speaking of which, both of these programs are in the Spring semester, and run from January to mid/late June. This is nice since it means I don't have to scramble to meet deadlines for next fall semester (fast approaching), unless I want to do another program not focused on enviro sciences.

So for now, it's looking like Spud's going to New Zealand! I can start fights with those damn arrogant Australians, say 'wot?' a lot, and...i dunno... run up and down the hills waving a broadsword or something. Sweet!

Oh yeah, and I while in thestudy abroad office I said hi from you, Mare (or Lynn, rather). They all send you their regards, and they were impressed and excited to hear about your job in Korea. Rita and Rhoda where especially happy to hear how you are doing.

Good night! Or good morning, depending what side of the planet you're on! =)