My name is Sara Anderson.  I’m from Missoula and currently in the middle of my fourth year at the University of Montana, majoring in Environmental Studies, minoring in Spanish, Wildland Restoration and International Development Studies, and dabbling in creative writing, women’s and gender studies and botany.  When not studying, I enjoy ultimate frisbee, rowing, reading, cooking, cross country skiing and hiking.  I am excited to spend time in a country where I don’t speak the language and to develop a greater understanding of the impacts of climate change and the opinions of the people about climate change in a country that is very different from the US.

 

Hi! My name is Ellen Brandell; I am a Wildlife Biology major and Climate Change Studies and Communications double minor. I was born and raised outside of Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Big Sky Country in hopes of finding tranquility in the outdoors and incredible opportunities. Going to Vietnam is my first adventure to Asia and I am mostly looking forward to the delicious food and learning about and understanding people vastly different from Western culture. Other than traveling, I enjoy camping, hiking, eating, snowshoeing, and essentially all outdoor activities. One day I hope to work to save species being endangered by the changing climate.

Justin Harkin grew up in Woodstock, Georgia.  He received a BA in religion from Emory and an master’s degree in theology and ethics from Vanderbilt.  Back home, he spent his summers guiding on Tennessee’s Ocoee River and used all the free time he could find to explore the South’s excellent rock climbing.  He moved to Bozeman in the fall of 2009 to spend the winter ice climbing in Hyalite Canyon and has barely left Montana since.  He’s jointly enrolled in the law school and the environmental studies program.  He’s excited to explore a new part of the world and to learn how other cultures approach conservation and environmental ethics.

Michelle Harkin was born and raised in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania.  She graduated from Seton Hill University with a BA in History and went on to work for the Republican Party of Pennsylvania and the McCain campaign. After the campaign ended, Michelle decided to move to Montana with her fiancé (and now husband), Justin. Michelle is currently enrolled in the Master’s of Accountancy program at UM and will be graduating in May.  After graduation, she will move to Billings and start a job as a tax accountant at Eide Bailly.  Michelle enjoys cooking, traveling, hanging out with friends and family, and hiking with her dog, Otter.  She’s excited to experience new people, a new culture, and a new environment.

My name is Hailey Jorgensen and I am a senior at the University of Montana majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Climate Change Studies. Born and raised outside of Seattle, Washington I have experienced the big city lifestyle but fell in love with the outdoors during my summers in Oregon.  I love hiking, camping, mountain biking and anything on the water. My love for river sports triggered my interest in water resource management. Going to Vietnam, I am excited to study climate change effects and adaptation strategies, particularly to water rights issue and sea level rise.

Hello! My name is Aimee Kelley and I am a native Californian, roughing it in Montana for the first year! I chose to attend UM in Missoula because I love the outdoors and all the great recreational opportunities the area offers.  So far I have been lucky to have had great experiences hiking, camping, rock climbing, and enjoying the many rivers. My passion for adventure has instilled a great love and respect for the environment in me, leading me to major in Resource Conservation. I am really excited for this study abroad trip because I want to make a positive impact in the world, both locally and internationally, and hope this experience will grow my knowledge and compassion towards different cultures. I am also stoked to visit rural areas that aren’t very touristy and eat lots and lots of delicious food! I am thankful for this opportunity to study with Dan Spencer and the other students on this trip.

Ada Montague is a third year law student at the University of Montana.  She was born and raised in Gloucester, Virginia.  She received a BA in Urban Studies from Vassar College in 2003. She worked as a planner for Gallatin County from 2007-2010.
The work introduced her to issues of water scarcity in the Rocky Mountain West. She entered law school in 2010 and continues to focus on natural resource dispute resolution, land use and water law. She hopes to continue after law school with a career in water law.

My name is David Schaad and I am a supersenior here at the University of Montana wrapping up majors in Environmental Studies and Spanish, along with minors in Climate Change Studies, International Development, and Latin American Studies. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, live above a café, and have a devout attachment to my bicycle.  I am ecstatic to be given this opportunity to study with Dan Spencer and learn alongside this fantastic group of students in Vietnam. I had the good fortune of joining Dan for his travel seminar on environmental justice and sustainable development in Guatemala in 2010, which was my first trip overseas and my most life-changing experience to date. The only thing better than getting to travel with Dan in Central America is doing so and then joining him for another travel seminar in a completely distinct region of the globe.  This is my first experience setting foot in all of Asia, a continent which I know far too little about, and my first time traveling to a country whose primary language I do not speak. I am eager to push my comfort zone and expand my cultural awareness whilst gaining firsthand familiarity with climate change issues, efforts/projects, and solutions in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, and hope to bring home a great many insights to teach my fellow countryfolk with regard to sustainable development and aligning ourselves more fully with the principles of resiliency and environmental stewardship.

I’m Ben Simonson and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to be apart of this study abroad trip, and am looking forward to experiencing every aspect of the Vietnamese culture. From whatever crazy delicacies I can find in the market (dont worry, I have an Acidophilus prescription), to observing social relationships, to experiencing the Vietnamese music scene, I’m not going to let a single opportunity pass me by. I am from Fargo, ND, and am a senior studying resource management and climate change studies at the University of Montana, which is the foremost reason I am taking part in this trip; to study the effects of climate change on the Mekong Delta.

Rebecca Singleton is a sophomore studying chemistry at the University of Montana. She was born in California, where she lived for 15 years before moving to Milwaukee Wisconsin. She decided to go to the University of Montana because she loves the mountains and wanted to experience a new culture. She loves to read, see live shows, and snowboard. Rebecca also loves to travel and hopes to one-day travel to every continent. Her interest for traveling made her decide to look into study abroad programs. Rebecca’s love for traveling and her interest in climate change studies made Deep in the Delta a perfect program for her.

My name is Milan Vinks. I am a senior at the University of Montana graduating this spring with an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology. I went to high school in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to Montana in 2009 to take advantage of the wonderful outdoor adventures the state has to offer. I am a big proponent of adventure, which prompted me to join this expedition to Vietnam. I look forward to experiencing a completely new culture and I am extremely curious to see the Vietnamese perspective on conservation and natural resource management considering the impending global climate change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi! My name is Rennie Winkelman, and I am a freshman in the Wildlife Biology program at the University of Montana. I moved to
Montana from Colorado, and I am so glad that I came to Missoula. I love being outdoors and camping, fishing, hiking, biking, rafting, and skiing. I really enjoy traveling, especially when you can spend time in an area and explore the local culture and environment.

I am very excited about this trip to Vietnam. I am looking forward to studying environmental issues on an international scale, and I hope that this trip will solidify my interest in environmental science as a minor.  I also look forward to experiencing a place that is so different from the United States.  This will be the trip of a lifetime for me. I am very excited to have this opportunity to travel with other students to such a fascinating place.

 

 

 

 

I’m Rebecca Stone and I love an adventure! Whether it be putting pickles on my peanut butter sandwich or canoeing in Amazon, i’d like to say i’ll try anything once! I am currently studying Art and Environmental Studies at the University of Montana, and hope to join the Peace Corps after I graduate. The biodiversity of equatorial climates has always intrigued me, and I believe that protecting these last remaining havens for plants, animals, and humans alike is paramount for the wellbeing of our planet. So when I saw that Climate Change in Vietnam was an optional study abroad course for Winter Session, I applied right away.  I am very excited to learn more about this amazingly diverse country, and feel so privileged to be able to have this experience with my fellow UM students. Vietnam here we come!