Things are really winding down. I cannot believe how quickly these two months have flown by and can’t imagine how fast the next three weeks are going to go.
I remember getting the email saying I was accepted into the program, crying, and immediately calling Sam to have her check her email too. Then the countdown to leave had begun. I sent my program director, Kylie, tons of questions about what exactly to bring. I had lists of things to buy, to do, and just to remember, all over my room.
It was very chaotic for the last few weeks before I left to start my adventure. I was wrapping up final exams, getting ready for graduation, moving out of the house my 3 roommates and I had rented for the school year, and dealing with all the hassle of that (you remember landlords… pain in the rear!), on top of getting ready for my first trip out of the country.
The days leading up to leaving were jam packed and emotionally draining. I was so thankful for being able to have one of my best friends, Sam, come on this trip with me. As I mentioned, this was my first time being out of the country. I have been to Florida, most of the states surrounding Illinois, and I took a week-long trip to Yellowstone; that’s all the traveling I had done up until this opportunity.
As you can imagine, I had many jitters about being abroad, even though I had a trusty sidekick. But, the months flew by, great friendships have developed, and there was a lot of work done. I have made some incredible memories, gone to bed exhausted just about every night that I have been here, and have made some great friends.
It’s not over just yet though! We still have about 20 days left of work to get done, bug bites to scratch, and memories to be made!
The Animal Sciences gals have started our biggest and final project for the semester. There was an old, dry-rotted, ant-infested, shed that once used to be a shelter for horses that we tore down using sledge hammers, a lot of sweat and pent up aggression, and a little blood.
On the last Wednesday (7/11) before we came out of the valley for this weekend, we put our first 3 posts in the ground! Ian (the Agriculture Program Director), Jordan (an Ag intern), and Jamie (a Business intern) have started milling the wood that we are going to use to rebuild our new design.
This next and final stint is going to be a hard one. First and foremost, it is going to be physically draining for the ansci crew. We have about 40 pieces of lumber that we will be carrying up the side of a mountain. Secondly, it is going to be emotionally draining because it will be the beginning of goodbyes. I’m not even going to exaggerate on that though…not looking forward to that part at all. It will all be worth it though.
I’ll be sure to update you next time on the progress of our rebuild!