SOUTH AFRICA PROGRAM - 2022 PARTICIPANTS

Dr. Osei-Hwere joined the Department of Communication in 2008. She received a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She also received a master's in international affairs with emphasis in communication and development from Ohio University. Her bachelor’s degree in publishing studies is from the University of Science and Technology in Ghana, West Africa. Dr. Osei-Hwere’s research interests include international communication, media globalization, entertainment education, women and children’s media issues, world broadcasting systems as well as communication development and social change. 

In 2017, Dr. Osei-Hwere proposed an experiential learning program to South Africa working with non-profit organizations and marginalized schools in South Africa to help bring attention to the work these organizations are doing in South Africa to rehabilitate marginalized women, children and youth. Dr. Osei-Hwere led a group of 24 for the program in 2018 and a group of 16 for the program in 2020. In November 2022 Dr. Osei-Hwere will lead a new group of 37 participants to South Africa.  

Hi, y’all! I am Lindsey Sawin, a junior agricultural media and communication major with a minor in broadcast journalism. I love all things agriculture and enjoy helping people share their stories. I am so excited to be part of the study abroad trip to South Africa this fall. The trip combines a few of my favorite things: agriculture, communication and traveling! And on top of that, I get to go with some very talented individuals. I cannot wait to meet the people of South Africa and put what I’ve learned in the classroom to use in a real-world situation. I hope to learn new skills, soak in the culture, enjoy the views and make memories while we are there.  

 

 

Howdy! My name is Madison Colvin and I am from Bryan, Texas where I was heavily involved in 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA). I found my passion for educating others and the swine industry through these programs. As a sophomore majoring in Agricultural Education, with an emphasis on swine nutrition and reproduction, my goals are to educate t youth about the importance of agriculture and become a leader in the swine industry. This study abroad trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am very excited to put my knowledge and skills within the industry to work. I am very anxious and excited to meet the people of South Africa and embrace their culture. I also hope to make as many memories and friends as I can! 

Hello everyone! My name is Drew Helterbran, and I am a digital communication major here at WT, with a minor in political science. I first heard about the South Africa Program at the communication department's majors meeting last spring, and I was immediately intrigued. I have never traveled internationally before and seeing the world and experiencing all the differences from an insulated American life is an opportunity that I could not turn down.  I hope to gain increased video production skills, as well as an increased worldview from this whole experience. Life is too short to not take the time to marvel at the grand variety of creation and culture that can be found across the globe. 

 

Hi Everyone! I’m Lexi Metz, a junior Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science major with an Agribusiness minor from Monte Vista, Colorado. I found my passion of plant science by helping my family produce the crops they grow! My goal is to eventually become an agronomist and help other people grow and raise their own crops. Being apart of the trip to South Africa is something that I will cherish and hold onto forever. It combines my love for helping others, traveling, and agriculture. I am very excited about being able to share my knowledge and what I have learned in the classroom. I hope I can learn new skills in South Africa that will help me in my future career, as well as experience the culture!

 

 

Hello everyone! My name is George Graybill, and I am from Keenesburg, Colorado. Currently I am studying Animal Science. I have been heavily involved in agriculture through both farming and ranching and I love teaching people about the importance of agriculture and how they can be involved.

I am ecstatic to be a part of the Study abroad trip to South Africa. I can’t wait to meet many new people, learn about the South African culture, and teach them about my passion, agriculture. It will be amazing to see the impact our WT community will make on the South Africa community. This trip will be a milestone in my life that will create memories that last a lifetime, build friendships that will be invaluable, and emphasize the importance of helping others.

Hey y’all! My name is Jess Smith and I am a Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science major from Amarillo, Texas. Though my background in agriculture is small, I have been a lifelong gardener with a passion for regenerative agriculture. My goal is to become a plant breeder and work towards a solution to food shortages in marginalized countries!   

I am thrilled to be part of the Study Abroad trip to South Africa! I can’t wait to see and experience the culture of a new country and it will be wonderful to see the impact our WT community will make on the community of South Africa. Being a part of this trip will be a memory that I will hold on to for the rest of my life. It combines my love of giving back to the community with travel and agriculture. I am excited to really dig in (pun intended!) to the culture and I hope to make as many memories and friendships as I can!
 

My name is Joshua Cox, and I am an incoming Junior at WTAMU, and I am majoring in Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences. I am from a very small town in west Texas known as Lazbuddie, I have grown up there my entire life and have been blessed to carry the skills and passions from growing up in a small community and use those to show the world who I really am. This program is something I have always dreamed about doing, being able to travel across the globe and use my knowledge and passion to help others in any way possible. My entire life I have had a passion to serve others and help anyone I can, and this program has given me just that opportunity. 

I have been intrigued by other cultures and how different people from around the world carry on their daily lives ever since I was able to come to college and see the diversity amongst me. Being a people person, I am always looking for ways to communicate and understand others to the best of my ability, and by understanding their cultures and livelihoods I have been able to make lifelong friends that come from all walks of life. My goal with this program is to become a better person by surrounding myself with opportunities to serve those less fortunate than I. After attending the first meeting I knew immediately that this program was something I wanted to do. Once I heard we will be taking literature and items that children in South Africa that aren't fortunate enough to acquire on their own. The thought of seeing a kid's face after receiving a brand-new book immediately filled my heart with joy. I am very excited to see how this program changes my character and how it will push me to be a better and more grateful person.

Hi everyone! My name is Lauren Fritzler. I am a junior at West Texas A&M University studying Agricultural Media and Communication. I am originally from Colorado but moved to Canyon for school and fell in love with Texas! I adore the western way of life and strive to advocate for agriculture. 

I chose Study Abroad South Africa because of the unique service projects we will be completing while we are in South Africa. The hands-on experience will transpire into my future career and the skills learned will stick with me throughout life. I may not ever get another opportunity like this. I am looking forward to traveling to South Africa!

 

My name is Alex Kuehler and I am a Senior Plant, Soil, and Environmental science major. I chose the South Africa study abroad program because I love to travel, and I enjoy helping people in any way I can. I hope this unique and rare opportunity will be a humbling and fun experience. I look forward to the new experiences and I’m very excited to learn.