Internationalism and Chocolate

Why don't we just achieve world peace through chocolate, hmm?

More sunset! Can't get tired of it. Also, I need to get my pilot's license

After having our last lecture of the course today (it was on cancer. cheery subject), the class went on an excursion to SIDA, the Swedish International Development Agency, to listen to a talk by one of Dr. Kimbrell's former colleagues, Professor Hannah Akuffo. She is currently an expert advisor for the agency, which means she gives advice on how to proceed with promoting higher education and research training in the poorest countries. The goal of her organization is to foster the growth of research in these countries by training students in laboratory techniques, improving research facilities, and providing funding for some research projects in those countries who would otherwise be excluded from the international academic field. Not only do I admire the work she is doing and approve of its international approach to the scientific community, I very much admire her because she started as a woman in a science major in Ghana in the 1970s and has clearly become very successful and capable. She is quite extraordinary.

table settings

We also had our "farewell dinner" tonight, even though the last day of the program is Friday. Due to further mishaps resulting from the planning that Summer Abroad in Davis has done, our original plan fell through and Marcia (our on site coordinator) had to look for a place for us all to get together. She did a wonderful job and we had a great dinner that looked and tasted fabulous. I mean, we had truffles and creme brulee for desert. YUM. Again, I got to sit near the professor and Marcia and had a great time talking to them. (Everybody needed a break from genetics, so that topic was an unspoken off limits zone… I can't imagine why everyone is so tired. Couldn't have anything to do with this 4 week course into which we have fit 10 weeks of regular class.)

The class at dinner

Marcia, Kira, and Dr. Kimbrell

Look! A picture that has Hannah AND Kira in it! Gasp!

I love dessert. :)

The final is on Friday, and I'm in good shape for it, so tomorrow will be full of studying, but I'm not panicking. I think things will be fine (at least I think that right now…).