August 28, 2026

The final field note of the season is always the hardest. How could I possibly sum up all that I've lived and felt into something intelligible or meaningful to someone else? Do I even have the words?

What I do know is this year was a stretch. I pushed myself hard: juggling PhD research responsibilities with a demanding language immersion experience, long driving distances, and an unrelenting schedule. I experienced some of my lowest lows, like spending a day in the hospital and the grueling days of recovery afterwards. 

I also had some high points that will stay with me for years to come. I was welcomed into new communities and I'm already firming up plans for the next phase of research here. I was also reminded repeatedly of the incredible kindness and generosity of strangers. From the host family that "adopted" me during my language immersion, to the NGO staffer that met with me to answer logistical questions about moving to Tanzania, to the fellow expat who helped me overcome a huge hurdle in getting my residence permit renewed. These people owed me nothing, they just chose to help a foreigner. And I experience this over and over in Tanzania. In a relationship-driven culture, people show they care by giving of their time and knowledge, cognizant that maybe someday they'll be the one needing a hand.

I am deeply grateful to these people, who I suspect would prefer to remain unnamed, and to many others. I especially want to thank the incredible team of staff and instructors at MS-TCDC, the CLS Program Director in Arusha, the Lion Landscapes team, our mechanics, BK and Jerad, my research advisor, Dr. Jon Salerno, and my research assistant, Christian Nguluwi. I could not have accomplished my language-learning or research goals over the past three months without their expertise and tireless support. 

Finally, no list would be complete without thanking my mother. Though I'm entirely grown up, she continues to be my MVS (most valuable supporter), dog-sitter, B&B host, and occasional airport shuttle. I know there is increasing concern about AI eliminating jobs and making humans redundant, and I really think we should be having moms weigh in on how to handle this. After all, they seem to have dialed in the optimal formula for life-long job security. 

Until next year,

A.

To join me on this journey, you can follow along with new posts in the Field Notes blog on this website or LinkedIn. I am in Tanzania on a Critical Language Scholarship for Summer 2026. My research is currently supported by the Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence, a P.E.O. Scholar Award, and a Center for Collaborative Conservation Fellowship. I am actively fundraising for the next phase of my research, and welcome referrals to funders who are interested in supporting work on global challenges including human-wildlife conflict, poverty alleviation, biodiversity conservation, and the impacts of a changing climate on all of these issues.

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