Sharon Alkalay

My main motivation for going on a trip with African Conservation Experience was my love for animals and wildlife! Next year I'll be starting a veterinary medicine course, so I knew this trip would be an incredible opportunity to learn and see a completely different side of veterinary medicine that I hadn't been exposed to before.

There were so many highlights. Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre was incredible! I got to get up close and work with animals I had never encountered before. Helping with feeding, preparing nutritional diets, and generally caring for them was a fantastic learning experience.

I also had an amazing time at Kruger National Park. It was fascinating to learn about a different aspect of conservation beyond animal rehabilitation, and it gave me a real insight into how everything works and fits together.

The experiences are truly unique. Being there made me realise that conservation isn't black or white. There are so many sides to every story, and you have to be in the field to really understand the issues at play. I learned a great deal about land use in South Africa and had fascinating discussions about poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. I even discovered animals I'd never heard of before, like pangolins!

Conservation is something I'd studied at school, but seeing it firsthand brought it to life in a way no classroom could. It has encouraged me to read more widely and dig deeper into topics that will benefit me throughout my career.

There was something really special about visiting a country and not being a tourist. Getting hands-on and genuinely involved in conservation work meant I could see the real picture and gain a much deeper understanding of what's actually going on.