Worth every penny

My study abroad experience was perfect in every way. As a student who pays for college on my own, I never thought a program like this would be financially possible. But thanks to scholarships and careful saving, I was able to go. It was worth every penny. Each day, we fed incredible animals including lions, cheetahs, hyenas, caracals, servals, meerkats, and bush babies. While there was some light cleaning of the animal camps, most of our time was filled with friendly competitions, game drives, and bonding with others on the reserve.

This program confirmed my goal of becoming a wildlife veterinarian. Working so closely with these animals and learning about their behavior and care was incredibly inspiring. I also learned that this area of veterinary medicine requires constant learning and exposure to new research because many of these species are still not well understood. That excites me. I enjoy learning and believe there is always room for improvement. While people often view wild animals as dangerous, they deserve the same level of care as any other species.

Traveling abroad also helped me grow personally. It was my first time traveling alone, and it gave me confidence in my ability to handle new environments. I now feel more prepared to travel again in the future, both for work with animals and for personal experiences. It was fascinating to experience a part of the world so different from the United States. The landscape, the way people drive, and the food were all new to me. We were served homemade meals every evening, and every dish was delicious. Seeing the diversity of people, places, and animals made me appreciate the world in a new way.

Going into this project, I expected we would not be able to get very close to the animals. I thought it would mostly involve observing from a distance. Most places that house large exotic animals require long and detailed training before any direct interaction. But Running Wild Conservation gave us the most hands-on experience possible. The training was quick, clear, and easy to understand, and we were allowed to work closely with every animal. I never thought I would get to feed a cheetah, pet a caracal, or read a book with a meerkat beside me. It was an unforgettable experience.

If you are thinking about taking part in a program like this, I highly recommend it. It helped shape my future and gave me memories that will stay with me forever.

Name: Kendall Ball
Status: Sophomore
Major: Zoology
Hometown: Elsmere, Kentucky
Program: Cheetah Conservation Internship in South Africa