Liberal Arts Voices: Episode 37 “Kate Tompson’s
Study Abroad and Paterno Fellows Program Experience”
Originally uploaded by LAUSatPSU

Paterno Fellow Kate Thompson joins us for episode 37 of our bi-weekly podcast Liberal Arts Voices.  In this episode, Kate talks about her study abroad experience last fall in Kenya and Tanzania. 

Kate discusses how this School Field Studies program in East Africa resounded with her academic interests in Biological Anthropology and Community Development.  The program focused on wildlife management and environmental policy.  Kate talks about her experience researching the impact of wildlife conservation on local African communities. Specifically, the research focused on how the alleviation of economic stress by the promotion of anti-poverty and social health programs might help to make conservation issues become realistic options for these communities. 

Kate also shares her experiences learning Swahili, performing field research in a variety of locations, participating in homestays, and blogging for Penn State’s GeoBlog (if you are interested in reading more about Kate’s experiences abroad, check out her blog). Kate explains how she feels fortunate to have been able to study abroad early in her College career because the experience gave her more direction regarding her academic pursuits.   

Lastly, Kate talks about her experience as a Paterno Fellow in the College of the Liberal Arts and how the program’s enrichment funding enabled her to participate in this study abroad program.  More details about the Paterno Liberal Arts Undergraduate Fellows Program can be found online.

Liberal Arts Voices: Episode 37 ” Kate Thompson’s Study Abroad and Paterno Fellows Program Experience “

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