Posted on Friday, July 22, 2022
Seeing an elephant up-close in its natural habitat is a rare opportunity, one Aria Foster ’24 experienced while providing medical care for these animals at a rescue sanctuary in Thailand this summer.
In affiliation with the study-abroad organization Loop Abroad, Foster was one of eight college students from around the globe who learned alongside veterinarians while volunteering with elephants, dogs and cats.
For three weeks, Foster assisted veterinarians with various clinical tasks, including prepping a canine for catheter placement surgery, spaying and neutering dogs and cats and injecting an elephant with medication in the front leg muscle.
“As I wish to become a veterinarian with a specialty in exotics, this trip has given me experience that I don't get the opportunity to have in Georgia,” she said. “I have been able to learn many key skills that will help me in pursuing my education in veterinary medicine.”
Foster, who had part of her trip paid for through federal aid and the college’s Smith Travel Grant, said she also would not have been able to go on the trip without the Gilman International Scholarship, which awards Pell Grant recipients with funds up to $5,000.
“It allowed me to add on a bonus week to my two-week program,” Foster said. “I want to make people more aware of their opportunities even as lower income people to be able to travel abroad.”
Michele Raphoon, Coordinator of the Office of Global Engagement, said Foster was the first LC student to receive the scholarship.
“Aria put in a lot of writing and a lot of time to make this come to fruition,” she said.
Raphoon said most of the college’s program affiliates have scholarships available for students interested in studying abroad.
Foster, who traveled on a plane for the first time, said her favorite part of being in Thailand was getting to learn the language and culture.
“It was a wonderful experience learning how veterinary medicine is practiced in Thailand and comparing it to American practices,” she said. “You can learn so much and gain a broader perspective by working with a range of viewpoints.”
Raphoon said the college gives students opportunities to venture outside of LaGrange to further their LC education across borders and around the globe.
“LaGrange offers over 300 study away programs to about 35 different countries where students, like Aria, can focus on their area of study while also gaining a broader understanding of other cultures and their responsibilities within a global society,” she said. “Aria had an incredible opportunity to learn about the important role animals play in Thailand’s ecosystem and society. “I’m sure it will be a defining element in her undergraduate degree and her future as a veterinarian.”
Students interested in learning more about study away programs can visit https://passport.lagrange.edu/ or attend one of Raphoon’s information sessions that are scheduled throughout the year.
Host Mark Davis spotlights the summer youth sports camps sponsored by LC coaches and takes us along on a busy two-day New Student Orientation adventure.
2-Karen Pruett, Career Development
2-Michelle Reeves, Financial Aid
3-Linda McMullen, Business Administration & Accountancy
5-Brandi Cameron, Counseling
10-Kevin Shirley, History
12-Colleena Collins, Exercise Science
13-Stacey Ernstberger, Mathematics
13-Jarred Rutherford, Football
16-John Kraus, Business Services
20-Alexandria Andrade, Student Life
21-Chastity Hargrett, Information Technology
21-Tammy Rogers, President's Office
30-Vickie Evans, English
30-Brian Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Erves, the LaGrange College all-time hits leader, was hitting .421 with two home runs, four doubles, and 12 RBIs through 13 games for Wisconsin.
During one two-game stretch, Erves had seven hits, and he hit two home runs in one game.
Erves joined the LaGrange College program in 2018, and during his senior season, he hit .409 with five home runs, 52 RBIs and 88 hits in 53 games, and he led the team in runs scored (91), walks (51) and on-base percentage (.531).
During the College World Series in Iowa, Erves set the LaGrange College record for career hits (273).
Erves was one of three fifth-year seniors on the 2022 team along with Jack Layrisson and Tanner Chafin.
Like Erves, Chafin is a member of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, and he has been one of the team’s most effective relief pitchers.
A handful of other LaGrange College players who will return next season are also playing summer baseball, including Ethan Kramer (Elite Squad of the Collegiate League of the Palm Beaches in California), McCain Mangum (Elite Squad), Jorge Fragoso (Richmond Jazz of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League), Ashton Shackleford (Columbus Chatt-A-Hoots of the Sunbelt League), Jackson McCart (Sarasota Tigers of the Florida Gulf Coast League).
Category: College
Keywords: study abroad
