Interview By Ramona Shelton
Motlow Buzz Faculty Managing Editor
Motlow
Smyrna biology student Tim Niedzielski
recently had a life-changing experience by studying abroad with a group of
fellow college students as a participant of the Tennessee Consortium of International Studies Program. Here is his
story. (Photos by Tim Niedzielski)
QUESTION: What made you decide that you
wanted to become involved in Motlow’s international studies program and take a
trip abroad?
ANSWER: I already had thoughts about the
possibility of doing study abroad early in the fall 2018 semester last year.
However, I think what really sealed the deal for me was when Motlow hosted its
International Festival that was sponsored by the Tennessee Consortium for
International Studies, or TnCIS. All it took for me was one glance at the study
abroad course offerings and I found something that I was interested in right
away. The possibility of me being in that foreign place studying the subject
that I love began to grow on me, and soon I wasn’t able to stop thinking about
it! I had to go! It was simply an opportunity that I could not pass up!
QUESTION: Had you ever been outside of the
country before and if not, were you afraid to do this? How did you overcome any
fears you might have had?
ANSWER: Actually, I have been out of the
country before multiple times! My family has a Polish background, and we have
lots of relatives on my mom’s side living in Poland. Every few years, we visit
during summer and spend roughly a month there. So, because of that,
international travel is nothing new to me. However, for anyone who has never
been out of the country before, it can be both really exciting and nerve-
racking. This was my first time going to a foreign country by myself and
without anyone that I knew, and it just so happened that I chose one of the
most remote locations offered. It’s one thing going to a foreign country, but
to go to an isolated island region roughly 900 miles off the coast and spend a
month there by yourself is an entirely different story!
As far as my fears about the trip went,
I really didn’t have many. I just had faith that we would all get there safely
and that the pilots/ boat captains knew what they were doing. All my luggage
went there and back and I came back, a little scratched up and disappointed
that the trip came to an end, but all in one piece. To anyone who is afraid of
the unknown, don’t be scared to try new things. It was my first-time snorkeling,
and for a guy who has glasses, can’t see 5 inches in front of him without them,
and has never swum in 30-foot-deep water before, I really didn’t know what I
was getting into. I was literally in something over my head. I had to learn to
trust the members of my group, the instructors, the guides, and myself and have
faith that nothing bad would happen.
QUESTION: What was the process of getting
involved in the program?
ANSWER: The process was extensive! There
were times in the process where I wanted to give up or thought that the whole
thing would be all for naught. You have to fill out an application, get recommendation
letters, send a transcript, pay fees, and so on and so forth! Then if you wish
to get the study abroad scholarship, there is another application and an
interview for that yet! I say these things not to scare off anyone who is
considering doing study abroad, but to have you really consider the commitment
that you are about to make. If you want it badly enough, don’t let anything
stop you!
QUESTION: What kind of tips/tricks can you
give us that will help future travelers as they begin their own application
process?
ANSWER: Start now! Get everything done as
soon as you can, so that you won’t have to worry about deadlines. It’s a
lengthy process, but when everything is all said and done, hopefully you will
realize that it was all worth it! Make sure to pay attention to important
deadlines, manage your time, and constantly check to see if all the steps have
been processed.
If you happen to make it to the
interview portion of the Study Abroad Scholarship process, then treat is as you
would any job interview. Be as professional as possible and come in prepared!
QUESTION: Where did you end up going, and
what made you choose this particular option?
ANSWER: The place that I ended up going
to was the Galápagos Islands, a small archipelago located roughly 900 miles
west off the coast of Ecuador. For me, there was almost no reason not to choose
to go to that place! Galápagos, also nicknamed the Enchanted Islands, is a
highly coveted travel destination for any biologist or person seeking an
animal-related career. It is famous for being the birthplace of Charles
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, housing animal species that can be found living
nowhere else in the world, and the famed Galápagos giant tortoise! As someone
who is seeking a degree in animal-related biology, to have been given the
opportunity to spend a month in the Enchanted Islands sounded like a dream come
true.
QUESTION: Tell us about your trip! What
kind of interesting and unique sites and adventures did you have? Would you go
back again?
ANSWER: Would I go back...? Ha-ha. In a
heartbeat!!! This trip was unlike any other that I have ever been on, and has
radically changed my life. It’s that fantastic of a place!
Man, so much happened on this
trip, it’s hard to even decide where to start. Just flying in and getting to
town was an adventure! We ate great food, swam in pristine, blue water, walked
along the beaches, hiked volcanoes, explored lava tunnels, and saw some of the
coolest, weirdest, rarest creatures on Earth.
Some of my favorite memories are
the 12-mile round trip endurance hike to the highest point of Santa Cruz
Island, swimming with marine iguanas, shark pups (they mostly avoid humans, but
still… keep your distance), penguins, and sea turtles, hiking to a ginormous
volcano crater, finding a snake that can’t be found anywhere else on the face
of the planet, and getting to see the coolest bird ever--a blue-footed boobie!
QUESTION: Did you go solo or were you a
part of a group? If group, please tell us about your fellow travelers. Did they
come from Motlow or from other colleges?
ANSWER: I went with a fairly decent
sized group; however, I was the only student who represented Motlow. The large
majority of students in my group either attended Pellissippi State or Nashville
State Community College. It was scary for me to be the only one from Motlow and
not know anyone else in the group. However, after attending a group information
meeting about the trip and being stuck in an eight-hour flight layover, we
became close rather quickly. Many of the students in my group were there for
the experience or needed to complete their credits but do it in a unique
setting. Only a small handful came for the same reason that I did. Over the
course of the month, I managed to get to know each member of the group quite
well, and we became a large family of sorts: not just having class together,
but going on excursions and dining together as well. My roommate, Eric Rosenthal,
was one member whom I particularly grew close to. We practically did everything
together, from strolling through town to exploring the landscapes and beaches
in search of wildlife and endemic snakes. He is an amateur herpetologist
(someone who looks for and studies reptiles) as well as a Youtuber, gymnastics
coach, and yo-yo trickster.
In all honesty though, everyone in
our group was awesome. I miss them terribly and hope that a reunion can be
arranged soon.
QUESTION: What parts of your trip turned
out to be as good as or better than you expected? Was there anything that you
regretted or turned out to be not-so-good?
ANSWER: Personally, I have very few
regrets with this trip. I just wish that I could’ve done more and seen more
yet, that I had brought more durable foot-wear, and that one of the captains
wouldn’t have driven the boat in circles and made everyone sea sick! As far as
expectations went, it was everything I had imagined and more! I was just amazed
at how close the animals let you come to them. They’re not afraid of people!
Also, I was underprepared for just how much wildlife there was; from teaming
schools of fish, to geckos in your own hotel room! I kid you not when I say
just how much of a gem the Galápagos Islands are. It’s one thing to read a book
or see internet pictures of the place, but to physically be there and witness
the beauty of the Enchanted Islands first-hand was something extraordinary that
I’ll never forget.
QUESTION: What is the learning environment
like?
ANSWER: Although I’ve described this
trip as if it were a paid vacation, yes, IT IS STILL A CLASS!!! That said it is
very easy to get distracted. I personally found it a challenge trying to study
in such a cool, foreign place, but I knew that if I didn’t do well the
consequences would not be enjoyable. Don’t fall into the habit of getting too
distracted. It’s not all fun and games! You represent your campus. You still
have to do the work!
The classroom setting itself was
very casual. For us it was usually at our hotel, either at an outdoor patio or
on top of the roof. What was really fascinating is how whenever we went on a
tour or excursion, whatever we read or learned about during class we would get
to see it in real life and make those kinds of connections. For example, we
would read about the effects of a certain invasive species and then as our
group would be doing a tour, someone would spot that invasive specie and we
would be able to have an on-site, min-lesson. I think that that is what my
favorite thing about study abroad is. You’re not confined to a conventional
classroom. The whole world is the classroom!
QUESTION: What do you miss the most about
this place?
ANSWER: The quiet, the culture, not
having to worry about crime or rough neighborhoods (It’s an island. All the
locals know each other!), the food, the natural beauty, the unique wildlife,
etc. Just all of it. The biggest thing for me would most likely be the sense of
community. Here in the States, everything and everyone is so spaced out and
individualized. Over there, we would laugh together, commute together, shares
meals together, and study together. You don’t have to drive a long distance to
go places, you either walk, take public transport, or sit in the back of a
boat.
QUESTION: Why do you want to go back?
ANSWER: There is still so much more to
see! I still haven’t seen everything on my bucket list. I want to visit more
islands, go scuba diving, see a whale shark or hammerhead shark migration, and
possibly come back as a field researcher!
QUESTION: What advice would you give the
next Motlow student who is planning to go to the same place as you did?
ANSWER: First, come prepared! Especially
weather-wise! Climate can differ slightly from island to island. One may be
lush and verdant, while the other is extremely arid and almost dessert-like.
Weather also differs depending on your altitude; closer to sea-level, it will
be more tropical. In the highlands, rainy, wet, and overcast. You’ll need to
have your raincoat just as handy as you do your sunscreen.
Second, bring good quality
footwear! Along the beaches and in town, you’ll want something that can go between
both land and sea and is capable of draining sand and water. For the
excursions/ volcano hikes, hiking books are a must have! The entire archipelago
is made up or volcanic rock, so be prepared to walk several miles over rugged
terrain.
Third, bring a camera/ Gopro! Take
as many photos and videos as you can! A good majority of the animals are
critically endangered and disappearing fast, with many species on the islands
already gone. Have something to remember them by and share to others as I have
done.
Lastly, explore! Have fun and
don’t be afraid of new situations or new things!
