Safari inaanza (the journey begins)!

5/28/11

Hamjambo (hello)! The journey begins! My name is Mike Cronin in English but my Swahili name is Msafiri (or traveler). Along with seventeen other companions, I will be embarking on an epic journey to Tanzania later today as a part of the Stony Brook Study Abroad program. This blog will describe some of my experiences with the program.

Who I am: I grew up on Long Island, NY but I now live in Rockland County in upstate New York (not geographically upstate but everyone insists on calling it upstate). I am entering my junior year at Stony Brook University and I am studying history. I intend to become a high school history teacher. My concentration is United States history but I want to learn more about global history and particularly African history.

Why I chose this study abroad program: Quite honestly, I'm bored with my country and seeking a once-in-a-lifetime-experience. I chose the most obscure program that I could find and thought this would be really cool because I might never be able to come to Africa again.

Anyways, I need to go to sleep because I got a flight to catch later! I'm hoping I could write on this blog once a week. Whenever I get internet access, I'll try my best to add whatever I can here.

Kwaheri (goodbye)!
- Msafiri