Shock & Chaos

Yesterday I found out that my program director had a heart attack and died on his way back to Tanzania on Tuesday. I am still getting over the shock of the news, he sounded like an amazing person and I was very much looking forward to spending the next 4 months with him. Our program has been cancelled and I am extremely dissapointed as I have spent 6 months preparing and being incredibly excited. The options left to me were to return to Duke, or to join the other SIT Tanzania program.
After consideration, I have decided to go ahead and join the Wildlife Conservation program in Arusha, Tanzania. The focus of our field trips and lectures will be shifted to rural development and conservation issues. From my understanding those who were originally on my program will still have the opportunity to spend 2 weeks on an island studying ecology issues, so I am grateful for that.
On the bright side of things I am still going to be having an incredible experience, and who knows maybe it'll turn out that I am more interested in wildlife conservation! It is still directly applicable to my major and sounds really interesting. In addition I will also be with another Duke girl who was enrolled in the wildlife program!
I have a new address so if you don't already have it just drop me a message and I'll give it to you! Now I have about a week to re-prepare and get psyched, I will be in touch!
~Meg

Pre-departure

Hey everyone,
I'm in Geneva now with 9 days until I leave. I have almost everything I need and have no idea how I am going to fit it in my hiking pack. I also started taking my malaria medicine today, guess I really am going! I am so excited and will do my best to update this from time to time while I am there.
Much love,
Megan