I have always found it frustrating that my two main interests in life are polar opposites: Zoology and Engineering. This stark contrast between the fields has haunted and riddled me with doubt, unsure of what path I really wanted to take. The only way I felt I could be confident enough to decide what is actually to put myself to the test and get hands-on experience in what it's like to be a zoologist; and the Big 5 Conservation Internship in South Africa seemed like the best opportunity to get that experience

My time in South Africa was eye opening to me on many levels. One of the most prominent and blatant revelations I had was that I didn’t have to view engineering and zoology as unmixable polar opposites; just because I could choose to be an engineer wouldn’t mean I wouldn’t find opportunities to work in conservation efforts. I had many opportunities to talk with the rangers and heard how their capability has significantly improved thanks to recent improvements in technology. One of the most cutting-edge fields, artificial intelligence, is already being used to recognize animal species on field cameras. I no longer see zoology and engineering as polar opposites that I must choose between in life. I can find a satisfying path in life that incorporates both and gives a deeper sense of purpose

The culture and infrastructure of South Africa was different from America in many aspects. For one, people drive cars on the left lane using steering wheels located on the right-front seat, and the roads were illuminated by the pleasant yellow glow of high-pressure sodium bulbs rather than harsh LED lamps. These nostalgic lights illuminated us on the morning drive from Johannesburg to Makalali Reserve and it was then that it set in that I was no longer in America.

I don’t think I will ever be able to enjoy a zoo without thinking of the fond memories I made and the eye-opening perspective on African wildlife. On our first morning there, our camp was greeted by a herd of elephants traveling towards a local watering hole. There were no metal bars or fences between me and them; no zoo habitats to hinder and devolve their natural behavior, nothing to really stop them from trampling me if they wanted to. I was watching natural elephants doing what they have done for millions of years, a sight I only saw through documentaries and nature magazines.

In addition to the hundreds of scrapes on my legs & an awkward suntan, I brought home a newfound appreciation for South African cuisine, especially maize porridge, and a local style of BBQ: Braai. Braai isn’t a specific meal or dish, but rather a style of cooking meat that requires wood or charcoal. I hope my family enjoys it as much as I do when I try to cook it back in the states!

Name: Ethan Britten
Status: Junior
Majors: Zoology and Neuroscience
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Program: Big 5 African Conservation Internship in South Africa