Seeing an 8-foot-long female python sitting in the middle of the road took one UF student by surprise during his summer in Swaziland.
Experiences like UF student Cody Godwin’s could be the reason “Popular Science” ranked UF’s monthlong summer wildlife ecology and conservation program in Swaziland sixth in the top 10 “most awesome” college labs of 2013.
Godwin, 24, a senior wildlife ecology and conservation major, said he will never forget his close encounter with a white rhino.
“We were working on grids to trap rodents, and I look up and see a white rhino looking at us, looking at him,” he said.
Robert McCleery, the wildlife ecology and conservation assistant professor that runs the program, said he believes “Popular Science” picked his course because of the adventurous appeal of Africa.
“They were looking for things that undergraduates would do that would be exciting, but maybe a little scary,” he said.
John Hayes, the dean for research and director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, has spent time with McCleery and students in Swaziland.
“I am excited that Dr. McCleery’s program in Swaziland received this recognition, but I’m not surprised,” he said.
For McCleery and Godwin, the adventure is not what they find awesome about Swaziland. Because Swazis, the native people of Swaziland, are very diverse and friendly, McCleery said the 12 to 15 UF students he takes on the trip enjoy the culture as well.
“No one walks past another person without engaging,” he said. “It’s the interpersonal relationships that sometimes we’re missing in our everyday lives here in America. It can sometimes become difficult to come home and walk on campus and just walk by people.”
He said the connection with the Swazi people makes the program such a great experience.
Although Godwin did not become fluent in Swazi, one word stuck out to him.
“Nkhosi, that’s the word for friend,” Godwin said. “Swazis are the friendliest people I ever met. Everyone looks out for everyone.”
A version of this story ran on page 8 on 9/9/2013 under the headline "UF lab ranked in top 10 ‘most awesome’ by ‘Popular Science’"
