Best Paleoanthropological Field School! Past Review
By Maryse Biernat (Arizona State University) - abroad from 06/12/2015 to 07/26/2015 with
Koobi Fora Field School: Nairobi - Study of Human Paleobiology in East Africa
Through this experience, I gained several close friends, many professional relationships, and a wealth of knowledge about the field of paleoanthropology.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Koobi Fora Field School packs a lot of academics into the short 6 weeks that it runs. We were introduced to general concepts about paleoanthropology research in the region for the first two weeks. The remainder of the time was spent working on individual research projects we were assigned. To ensure that everyone gets similar academic backgrounds in addition to performing our own research, we all had the same lectures and took exams on that material. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
As a result of the combined leadership of the George Washington University and the National Museums of Kenya, the field school is run exceptionally from start to finish |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
While spending six weeks in a tent doesn't sound appealing, I was extremely satisfied with the experience. The hotel accommodations provided while in Nairobi were also excellent. |
| * Food: |
All food was made in camp by the wonderful kitchen staff. It was always amazing after a hard day's work! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since this field school is a joint venture with The George Washington University and the National Museums of Kenya I felt very integrated with the local culture. Several researchers and the entire support staff are Kenyan. It was a wonderful experience to sit around the campfire at night getting to know them and collaborate on local research. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally did not have any health issues during the program. However, flying doctors were always on call via satellite phones and medical supplies were kept in camp. |
| * Safety: |
Staff were very proactive about safety while in Nairobi and out at the camp/field sites. Luckily there were no safety related incidents during my trip! My main advice for future students is to trust and listen to the staff! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
The cost of the field school is all inclusive, so it was extremely easy to live on a budget will attending. The only money I spent while there was on souvenirs! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 0 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had invested in a solar charger. I also overpacked socks. |
