Research Placement Student Review

I loved my time at UmPhafa - I was there undertaking research which did limit my activities somewhat but I enjoyed every minute!

You are treated as part of the team when you are willing to work as a strong team member. If you are there for an easy holiday then you have gone to the wrong place. The staff are unwilling and should not be expected to baby people.

I had plenty of time to discuss my project with staff and was given a certain amount of help collecting samples when needed and checking/replacing cameras when necessary.

Some days I was a little bit bored but that was only on the days when I was stuck at the house examining faecal samples while everyone else was out working!

I basically ran my own research with guidance and in put given where needed. When working on the reserve I was told was needed, taught how to do it if needed and then left to get on with it.

It was the first time I had conducted research in the field. It gave me the hands on experience I needed for learning how to work efficiently and also gave me frequent opportunities to react to changing situations and come up with alternative strategies when faced with challenges. Without the research I would not have completed my dissertation requirements.

The atmoshpere was very focused on the work that was required, the long term plans of the reserve and what was required to be done. There is a very strong team bond and a lot of fun during 'down' times.

Generally it was well organised however there were times when as a researcher/volunteer we did not always know what was happening on a day-to-day basis.

As a person who paid a fair amount of money to go on the placement I feel that the staff go through a lot of effort to train everyone and make sure they have the best experience possible. They will put as much time and effort in to working with volunteers as the volunteers themselves will put in.

If I got a job working on UmPhafa in the future I would be extremely happy!

Brilliant experience, great time, great parties, excellent excursions/activities and social events.

Simple and cheap were the best ways! Sitting around a fire eating and drinking, spending time hiking in the nearby Drakensburg and occassionally eating at restaurants are all very affordable and do not require massive financial outgoings.

After long days working in the bush usually the nightlife involves communal cooking and chilling out in front of a film or going on a night drive around the reserve. There is nothing more you need!

As people had paid a lot of money to do the placement there is often limited funds for excursions. Therefore they did not happen every week but were frequent enough to allow for external enjoyment.