MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

ABSTRACT

This past summer, I participated in a life-changing and enlightening abroad program in Cambodia. The program gave me insight into the guidelines necessary for a meaningful abroad experience. This guide is designed for undergraduate science students like myself. Specifically, the guide is meant for those who are interested in scientific abroad programs located in lesser-known, remote countries like Cambodia. I hope that these students will use the guide to learn about essential aspects of making their abroad experiences in such countries successful. These aspects include cultural considerations, challenges of adapting to a new environment, and making the most of a remote abroad experience both generally and scientifically. Topics ranging from culture shock to malaria are discussed and included in these aspects. My abroad experience in Cambodia adds to these topics and aspects, providing more tangible insight to the students reading this guide. I worked for a non-profit organization called the Song Saa Foundation, a collective that promotes sustainable development in Southwest Cambodia. The foundation runs a program called the Tropical Marine Conservation Programme, or TMCP. Through my position as a TMCP volunteer, I demonstrate how other undergraduate students can also thrive in such abroad experiences. This guide could therefore be a useful resource for science-studying undergraduates, despite a focus on one specific program instead of a wider range. I encourage the students using this guide to explore a remote corner of the Earth, to be fearless, and to enthusiastically pursue the unknown.

Word count = 246.

READER'S PROFILE

I imagine a reader who is concerned about the prospect of going abroad to a country like Cambodia. This reader is an undergraduate science student who is worried about the risks of such an experience.

READER'S RESPONSE

I seriously doubt that being fearless and pursuing the unknown are to be encouraged in this context. The thought of fearlessly spending a summer or semester in Cambodia frightens me. The risks of such a venture are endless: I could get sick, be killed by hazardous wildlife, or find myself in the middle of a political war. Your positive experience this past summer does not change my mind about any of this. You cannot simply assume that every other undergraduate student will be as successful as you in their abroad ventures, regardless of the research findings and evidence that you use. Please consider re-focusing your guide away from your personal experiences to make your encouragement for remote abroad experiences more agreeable.

REVISED THESIS OR PROBLEM STATEMENT

Undergraduate science students, who are interested in studying abroad in a remote, lesser-known country like Cambodia, must be aware of essential aspects of such an experience. This guide details these aspects, preparing these students to make the most of their experience.

VOICE

I will use the active voice in this document, making direct points to make my guide as clear and effective as possible. I will also use a first-person method when describing my personal experiences in Cambodia.

CITATION

I will use the APA citation method. I will not include citations in my stories of personal experiences, but will otherwise include in-text citations and a “References” section at the end of the document.

D -- nicely arranged plan. The best and most authoritative source on country safety would be the U.S. State Department. Be sure to use that source and to suggest that parents and students should use this source to evaluate any country for travel and study safety.

Can you include a brief faq at the end? Questions about currency, visas, language, excursions, costs.....

If you like, you could put your memoir/narrative portions in italic.