The safari experience: learning among the wildlife in Africa

Volume 9 Number 5 May 13 - June 9 2013

Photo: Courtesy Tristan Lee
Photo: Courtesy Tristan Lee

 

High-achieving undergraduate students are enriching their studies by completing a short study program abroad, an opportunity made possible for many by the Lin Martin Scholarship. By Liz Banks-Anderson.

 

 

A leopard never changes its spots and since early childhood, Tristan Lee’s interest in animals has not wavered.

“Working around animals you experience their different personalities, emotions and quirks. You can make meaningful connections with animals just like you would in a social context.”

The veterinary medicine student believes without doubt animals are more like humans than different.

“From a scientific perspective, we share significant physiological similarities with many mammal species and many advances in human medical knowledge would not have been possible without animal models,” he says.

Mr Lee’s empathy towards animals began at an early age growing up in Indonesia where he saw precious wildlife species sold in markets. The anger he felt as a child in response to what he saw remains with him as an adult and is what drives him to protect and heal animals. 

“I chose veterinary medicine because diagnosing and treating patients that can’t talk to you is a constant and stimulating challenge. Being able to ease the pain of sick animals brings a lot of satisfaction,” he says.

A recent study trip on a wildlife safari in Africa reaffirmed his commitment to veterinary medicine and also highlighted issues related to animal welfare and conservation. 

This life-changing trip was made possible in part after Mr Lee received a Lin Martin scholarship, which is a travelling scholarship for high-achieving undergraduate students who have experienced social, educational or financial disadvantage.

The scholarship is named after Lin Martin, the former head of University Services at the University of Melbourne and forms part of the University’s social inclusion agenda, which places priority on facilitating diversity within the University community.

Ms Martin is best known for her groundbreaking work to establish an equity policy framework for Australian higher education at a time when there were no available tools to measure imbalances or underrepresentation in Australian education. The scholarship provides funding of up to $5000 to eligible students to take part in University-approved short study programs overseas. 

For Mr Lee, receiving the scholarship made studying ‘Ecosystems and Wildlife Management’ at the University of Pretoria in Africa and going on safari a real option.

“I had researched the scholarship and had my eye on the course for a few years. The scholarship covered almost all of my costs and I was so grateful to receive it,” he says.

For Mr Lee, studying in Africa was an experience in the surreal that quickly became the norm, in the best possible way. While studying in Africa he attended a lecture about illegal wildlife trade and conservation strategies, observed wildlife at Kruger National Park and worked with an animal welfare organisation to give animal health checks. 

The immediacy of seeing wildlife in Africa and being involved in the canine bloodbank at the University’s Werribee campus also makes Mr Lee a strong advocate for the issue of animal welfare. Believing people intrinsically care for animals, Mr Lee says informing people so that they are empowered to make changes on important animal welfare issues, such as phasing out sow stalls or boycotting palm oil products to protect orangutan habitats is crucial.

“In my view animals certainly bring out the best in people,” he says.

For the aspiring veterinarian, studying in Africa added a new dimension to his education, giving him opportunities to work with African animal species not readily accessible in Australia. Invigorated by the experience, he thinks a career in wildlife medicine would be even more amazing than he had imagined it could be. 

“Seeing the tangible role of vets in conserving our biodiversity was thrilling,” he says.

Camping on safari included many highlights, notable among them for Mr Lee was tracking a herd of wild elephant cows and calves on foot and watching them from a distance of less than 10 metres.

With admirable understatement, Mr Lee says camping in the African bush also had its challenges.

“Hearing lions roar at night, knowing they could walk through our camp at any time was nerve-wracking! We also had an elephant bull walk through our camp during lunch one day.”

Studying in Africa reaffirmed Mr Lee’s belief that working with animals was his calling. Mr Lee hopes to work with both exotic and native wildlife after completing university. He also encourages his fellow students to apply for the Lin Martin Scholarship and start thinking about overseas exchange programs and placing their education in a global context.

“There is no harm in applying. The personal growth you get from overseas experiences is too valuable to be accessible only to those who can afford it.”

www.mobility.unimelb.edu.au/outbound/funding/lin-martin-scholarship.html