By: Brooke Richardson
When I reflect on my experience in Belize, I remember how nervous I was to go and explore a new country with a group of people I had never met before. I was out of my comfort zone and in a very high-stress moment in my life, switching jobs, moving cities, transferring apartments, beginning grad school, and trying to navigate my life in the middle of it all. Looking back on it, I realized just how far I have grown and what an amazing opportunity it became. One of my favorite things about Belize is the community and encompassing group that surrounds you, bonding with classmates, professors, Zoo Staff, scientists, and people who are just as excited about the natural world as you are.
I was fortunate enough to be able to inquire about the world around me while also discovering what areas develop into a passion for my future goals. I realized how much I love exploring the world and challenging myself to do hard things, meet new people, and explore other cultures. I’ve learned to love primates (more than I previously thought I would!)
Data collection and statistical analysis have always been something that I struggle with, and I am glad to have had the opportunity to practice this in the field with others who have previous experience.
Belize has continued to pop up in my everyday life, and I tell others about birding with Jamal Andrewin-Bohn and Peter Herrera, the impact that Dr. Celso Poot has had on influencing my inquiries with urban wildlife crossings, and my first experience seeing a manatee in the middle of a torrential downpour!
Author Biography:
Brooke Richardson is a student in the Global Field Program. She lives 20 minutes outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She currently works in the Animal Care department at Old World Wisconsin, where she helps take care of their ambassador animals, hoof stock, and more! While working at the Racine Zoo, many of her coworkers and program staff had recommended and/or completed Project Dragonfly, so this is where she became familiar with the program and ultimately what led her to apply.