SCRD Professor Leads a Study Abroad Trip to Kenyan Parks

Dr. Megha Budruk, alongside Marena Sampson, her PhD student, led a study abroad group to Kenya over the summer. Thirteen students from various majors in the School of Community Resources and Development as well as School of Life Sciences participated in this life-changing program. 

Students visited multiple parks and protected areas including Nairobi National Park where they toured a memorial to elephants lost to poaching. They experienced the world-famous Masai Mara teeming with wildlife, a community-led conservancy protecting the last two northern white rhinos left on this earth, and a walking safari that brought them within fingertips of wildlife. They also had conversations with local Masai community members about life amongst wildlife in the African plains.

Talks from Kenya Wildlife Service professionals as well as from local guides, tourism professionals and park rangers oriented students to the local context. Drawing on sustainable tourism and park management frameworks, students learned about the intersectionality of park management, tourism development, community development and conservation, and discussed how they can play a part in solutions as well as pressing sustainability issues. Students returned home as life-long ambassadors for Kenya and Kenyan parks and as parents of orphaned baby elephants through a fostering program led by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an international conservation non-profit!  

Study abroad allows for intellectual opportunities but also a chance for students to enhance their international awareness. Dr. Budruk will be leading another study abroad opportunity next year. Dates are tentative, but more information can be found here. The School of Community Resources and Development (SCRD) will be offering a one-time $2,500 award for SCRD students participating in the Kenya study abroad program.