For now, I'll start with myself. My own experience growing up in Cameroon, visiting Israel, living and studying in England and the United States, teaching in Slovakia and traveling through West Africa and Central Europe gave me the opportunity to acquire knowledge which I could never obtain from any classroom. As a professor in Bloomsburg University, I would like as many American students as possible to take advantage of the great learning opportunities offered by a study-abroad program. Where best to go than Africa–the Ancestral Home of all human beings.
Hi! My name is Krista Zecher and I'm a freshman here at Bloomsburg. When I'm not at school, I live with my incredible family in Lancaster, PA. I love little kids and meeting new people! My high school years were filled with spontaneity and I enjoyed keeping a busy schedule. I think college is amazing and I cannot wait to become a pre-k teacher to deaf children. My major is early childhood education with a concetration in deaf education. I've always had a desire to visit Africa and I'm just so extremely excited to be going in a few months! I can't wait to get to know you all better and I'm looking forward to spending over a month with you! :)
Hey, everyone! My name is Amanda Yaple, but please call me Mandy. I am currently a junior at Bloomsburg University, and I am an Elementary Education major. I am a cheerleader here at B.U. Go, Huskies! ♥ I also love to sing and am a member of the Bloomsburg University Concert Choir too! I am from the Benton/Shickshinny area, which is only about 25 minutes from Bloomsburg. I am extremely goofy and a naturally loud person. Haha. But I also am a hard worker and take my education seriously! I am so excited about this trip! Although, I have never flown before, so that makes me a little nervous! But regardless, I know this is going to be a life-changing experience, and I am looking forward to making friends with everyone! Can't wait! =]
Pete Rogers
Hi everyone! My name is Pete. I am a junior at Bloomsburg and an Elementary Education major. I am married and I have a house in Lehighton with my wife, Amanda. We are both sad that she cannot come on this adventure with me, and of course, I will miss her very much! I love to joke, laugh, and have a good time. I love reading, cooking, watching movies, and listening to music. I am pretty handy and have never met a broken object I could not fix, so hopefully I can be useful on this trip. I am passionate about my education and I cannot wait to be a teacher. I am still very much in awe that this opportunity is being offered and that I actually get to be a part of it. I have been all over the US but I have never been overseas. I love to be challenged and I love to try new things so I cannot wait to rough it for a month in Africa! I really look forward to getting to know all of you!
Hello Team Africa!!! My name is Ashley Furman. I'll be an official junior starting this spring and I'm an Elementary Education major with a concentration in Mathematics. I'm a transfer student from the great state of Georgia. I'm originally from (and my family is still there) Honesdale, PA. I'm part of BU's fabulous colorguard of the marching band, and a sister of Tau Beta Sigma, national honorary band service sorority. As far back as I can remember, I've always been involved in the community and schools. I was a girl scout for eight years, and worked with the Communities That Care program. I love working with children, especially those at the middle school level. Call me crazy, but I think I was meant to work with those ages. This trip will be the highlight of my life, no doubt, and I cannot wait to travel overseas with all of you, and get to know you, of course!
Hey everyone! My name is Lana Vogelle. I am currently a junior at Bloomsburg University, and an Elementary Education major. I live about four hours from Bloomsburg in Long Island, New York. I am in the club SCEC (Student Council for Exceptional Children) and Helping Others Club. I am a very easy going person and am always up for an adventure! I like reading, watching movies, and drawing. I cannot wait to become a teacher and work with children. I've wanted to be in the education field for as long as I can remember. The only time I have been outside of the country is to Mexico with my family, so I cannot wait to do it again and this time in Africa! I love to travel and feel like this is an experience that only comes once in a lifetime. I am very excited to get to know everyone, and am already counting down the days!
Hi Everyone! My name is Tamika Austin and I'm currently a Sophomore transfer student at Bloomsburg. I'm a Psychology major and I plan on getting my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology(call me Dr.Mika). Helping others has always been a passion of mine as well as working with children.I was born and raised in Philadelphia but I've also lived in Long Island,New York and plan on moving back after graduation.I love learn about different cultures and capturing pictures of random things.After my summer vaction to the Bahamas I'm now in love with traveling! My hobbies change so much so I just call everything phases,my current one is my investment in my french for dummies book. So excited for this trip lets start a count down? : )
Hello my name is Amber Galloway. I am a senior at Bloomsburg Univeristy with a doublt major in Early and Elementary education. I will be graduating Fall 2011. I live in Fairfield PA, which is basically Gettysburg PA. I have a wondering boyfriend Jake, of 5 1/2 years, who is now active in the United States Army. I am very excited for this trip. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and having an experience of a life time! :)
Hello my name is Amber Galloway. I am a senior at Bloomsburg Univeristy with a doublt major in Early and Elementary education. I will be graduating Fall 2011. I live in Fairfield PA, which is basically Gettysburg PA. I have a wondering boyfriend Jake, of 5 1/2 years, who is now active in the United States Army. I am very excited for this trip. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and having an experience of a life time! :)
Greetings everyone! My name is Lauren Spigelmyer. I am a junior here at Bloom, and I am dual majoring in special and elementary ed. My hometown is Middleburg, PA, but I am currently residing in Catawissa. In addition to being a full-time student, I clean for Dust Butlers and waitress for Ted's Landing. I also coach track in the Spring for Midd-West High School. I spend my little bit of free time with my family or playing/watching sports. I am ecstatic about this trip to Africa and have already launched my countdown! I look forward to making some unforgettable memories with everyone!!!
Hey everyone! I am Katie Zimmerman and I am a Junior here at Bloomsburg University. I am a dual major in Special and Elementary Education and I will be participating in the Practicum while in Africa : ) I currently live in Mechanicsburg, PA (ten minutes outside Harrisburg). I work as a camp counselor at a local day camp in the summer, and I absolutely love working with children of all ages. I love traveling, being outdoors, hiking, and painting. I am looking forward to being with you all in Africa and making many amazing memories!!!
Hi! I'm Samantha Halloran and I am currently a Junior at Bloomsburg University. I am a dual major in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I am from Lincoln Park, New Jersey which is about a half an hour away from the greatest city ever, New York City. I work as a camp counselor in the summer and I love working and being around children. While in Africa, I will be taking a Multicultural Education class as well as participating in the Practicum. I love spending time with my friends and family and watching my favorite teams, the New York Yankees and Giants =). I am extremely excited and can not wait to get to Africa and explore all it has to offer with its people and environment. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and sharing on this experience of a lifetime!!
Hi my name is Brittany Mohl. I am a Freshman here at Bloomsburg University. My major is Early Childhood Education and Special Education Dual. I live 10 minutes away from Hershey Park. I am currently on the Susquehanna Slam travel softball team. I am involved with SCEC (Student Council for Exceptional Children), Best Buddies, and Helping Others Club. I also like to go to CRU (Campus Crusades) on Wednesday nights. I have an older sister that just got married this past fall. I'm really excited to go to Africa this summer to get the experience of a different culture. As for the most of you, I am excited for our upcoming adventure to Africa. Can't wait to meet you all!
Hi my name is Lauren Kelly. I am a sophomore here at Bloomsburg University. I am majoring in Elementary/Special Education with a concentration in Deaf Education. I live in Allentown PA, which is about an hour and twenty minutes away. I am involved in Best Buddies, and the competition dance team. I love horse back riding, dancing, and reading in my free time! I also love being active and. This past summer I completed a triathlon and in May I hope to completed a half marathon. I am very excited to go to Africa and meeting everyone :)
Heyy! My name is Keaghlan McNaughton and I am currently somewhere between a sophomore and junior majoring in something between physical therapy and nursing :) I am from Tioga, PA but absolutely love Bloomsburg and plan on making it my permanent residence soon. Other than preparing for Africa I am on the BU Dance ensemble, participating on the Acro team, and I work as an OWL on campus. I am so incredibly excited to go to Africa and be able to celebrate my 20th birthday in a different culture, and to get to know each and every one of you!
Hi my name is Brittany Mohl. I am a Freshman here at Bloomsburg University. My major is Early Childhood Education and Special Education Dual. I live 10 minutes away from Hershey Park. I am currently on the Susquehanna Slam travel softball team. I am involved with SCEC (Student Council for Exceptional Children), Best Buddies, and Helping Others Club. I also like to go to CRU (Campus Crusades) on Wednesday nights. I have an older sister that just got married this past fall. I'm really excited to go to Africa this summer to get the experience of a different culture. As for the most of you, I am excited for our upcoming adventure to Africa. Can't wait to meet you all!
Hi my name is Lauren Kelly. I am a sophomore here at Bloomsburg University. I am majoring in Elementary/Special Education with a concentration in Deaf Education. I live in Allentown PA, which is about an hour and twenty minutes away. I am involved in Best Buddies, and the competition dance team. I love horse back riding, dancing, and reading in my free time! I also love being active and. This past summer I completed a triathlon and in May I hope to completed a half marathon. I am very excited to go to Africa and meeting everyone :)
Heyy All! My name is Chelsi Dimm, I am a senior philosophy major here at Bloomsburg. I transferred in my second year, so I have been here a relatively short time. I love Bloom U! I am from nearby, and lived in Boston for two years. Go SOX! I am looking forward to meeting all of you (some of which I have already met who are amazing people!), and having a great time experiencing Africa. I am most excited to see how another culture lives, and to take photographs (photography is a hobby of mine). Besides preparing departure, I write, a lot, some for the Voice, some in hopes of being published, am training to be a white water guide at challengers, am enjoying my time in PA before graduate school, and am being silly with friends=). P.S. still laughing when i think about the icebreaker activities.
Hi Everybody! My name is Christine O'Neill. I am a Junior, Elementary Education Major with a Minor in Special Education. My Hometown is Wilmington, Delaware. I am beyond excited to go to Africa and have been counting down the days! I can't wait to share this life changing experience with all of you and to gain new friends and experiences. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you better and cant wait til May 9!!
Hi Guys!
My name is Amy McCollum and I am a student here at Bloomsburg University. My major is Elementary Education with a minor in ESL. I am from Northeast, Philadelphia, but I now live in Horsham, Pennsylvania which is forty minutes outside of the city. Dancing is my passion. I am on the dance ensemble at the university, which I love being apart of. I am thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to study abroad in Africa! I will be doing my teaching practicum there. It was awesome getting to know everyone at the last meeting. I am looking forward to all the new experiences we will be given on our trip and I am excited to get to know everyone! Soon enough we will all be in Cameroon!
