OTS Voices from the Field: How “Tracks & Trajectories” is Capturing the Heart of the OTS Experience
By Zingfa Wala, Host of “On the Trail of Science: Tracks & Trajectories”
Have you ever wondered what happens to OTS students after they return home from their OTS field experiences? What career paths do they pursue? How do those weeks spent in the African savanna or Costa Rican rainforest continue to shape their lives years later? These are the questions that keep me up at night – and the very questions that inspired the launch of OTS’s first official podcast series.
Since November 2024, “On the Trail of Science: Tracks & Trajectories” has been exploring the incredible journeys of our OTS community, one conversation at a time. What started as a simple idea born from countless meaningful conversations with students has evolved into something much more profound: a platform that reveals OTS not just as an extraordinary study abroad opportunity, but as a catalyst for lifelong transformation and a network that extends far beyond any single semester.
The Spark of an Idea
I’ve always been drawn to stories – the kind that reveal how a single experience can redirect an entire life’s trajectory. As a resident lecturer on the African Ecology and Conservation program since Fall 2022, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing these transformations firsthand. I’ve watched students arrive with one set of expectations and leave with reimagined or reinforced futures. I’ve seen relationships form that transcend the boundaries of a single program, creating connections that last for years.
But it was during a staff meeting in Skukuza, led by our Country Director Laurence Kruger, that everything clicked into place. We were discussing our research interests and future plans for OTS, exploring how our individual passions could align with the organization’s broader goals and objectives. Until that moment, I wasn’t sure how my love for science communication and storytelling could contribute to OTS’s mission. When I shared my podcast idea with the group, the response was overwhelming – everyone thought it was brilliant. That enthusiastic reaction was the final push I needed to transform a dream into reality.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. In Summer 2024, I transitioned to OTS’s North American office, joining the admissions and recruitment department. As part of our recruitment and marketing initiatives, I pitched the podcast concept and received the green light to bring it to life. By November, we were recording our first episode.
The Magic of Listening
What has surprised me most about hosting this podcast? The incredible willingness of our alumni to share their stories. I knew there were powerful narratives waiting to be told, but actually sitting down with these remarkable individuals and hearing them articulate how OTS shaped their lives continues to blow my mind. Each conversation reinforces why I do what I do and drives me to be a better version of myself. These stories provide the “why” behind my work and fill me with a deep sense of fulfillment that motivates me to keep pushing forward.
Take Max, for example, who participated in our Spring 2023 African Ecology and Conservation program. His story perfectly illustrates the ripple effects of an OTS experience. After returning to the United States, Max secured an internship at the White House. During his time there, he had the opportunity to engage with ministers from Eswatini and South Africa who were visiting for official duties. When he called me later to share this experience, his excitement was palpable. He explained how his time with OTS in those very countries had transformed what could have been abstract diplomatic discussions into deeply personal conversations. He wasn’t just talking about policy with strangers – he was connecting with people from places where he had lived, worked, and formed meaningful relationships.
But Max’s story doesn’t end there. He later received a Fulbright scholarship to Taiwan, where he taught English to children. During our podcast conversation, he reflected on how his homestay experience during the AEC program in rural HaMakuya, South Africa, had prepared him for this new adventure. The skills he developed while engaging with community members in HaMakuya directly translated to his work in Taiwan. Witnessing how his OTS experience continued to influence his career decisions and professional trajectory years later was nothing short of remarkable.
Celebrating Our Community’s Diversity
Another standout guest was Kgotsofalo, who attended our Fall 2023 African Ecology and Conservation program as well as the Disease Ecology program in Summer 2023. As the first South African to feature on the podcast, his appearance held special significance. His story is particularly powerful because it demonstrates how OTS can completely reshape someone’s understanding of their own environment and career possibilities.
Before joining OTS, Kgositsofalo had little to no understanding of conservation. The concept was abstract, disconnected from his daily reality. But his experience on the Disease Ecology and African Ecology and Conservation program opened his eyes to the critical importance of environmental stewardship. While still attending the AEC, he applied for, got interviewed and secured an internship with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), directly benefiting from the knowledge and passion he had developed during his time with OTS. Today, he’s a passionate advocate for conservation, pursuing a career path he never could have imagined before his OTS experience.
These stories represent just a glimpse of what we’ve captured in Season 1, which focuses specifically on OTS undergraduate alumni. We’re currently five episodes into the first season which is just about half way through, and each conversation has revealed new facets of how field-based learning, cultural exchange, and academic growth combine to create truly transformative experiences.
Looking Ahead: The Journey Continues
The response from our community has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re constantly receiving messages from alumni eager to share their own stories. If you’re an OTS alum with a story to tell, or if you know someone whose journey would inspire others, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out to us via email at podcast@tropicalstudies.org or on Instagram @otsglobal and Facebook @tropicalsudies.
As we continue Season 1, we’re already planning for Season 2, which will shift focus to the incredible OTS staff members who make these transformational experiences possible. Our first Season 2 guest will be Pablo Muñoz, Education Coordinator in our Costa Rica office, whose journey with OTS spans many years. Pablo’s story is particularly compelling because it illustrates the full circle of OTS engagement – from student at OTS Costa Rica to teaching assistant to temporary staff member to permanent employee, eventually rising to his current leadership position. His narrative demonstrates how OTS doesn’t just transform students; it creates lifelong advocates and leaders within our own organization.
More Than Just a Podcast
“Tracks & Trajectories” represents something larger than a simple audio series. It’s a testament to the enduring power of the OTS network and the personal connections that define our community. Each episode reveals how field-based education creates not just knowledgeable scientists and conservationists, but global citizens who carry their experiences forward in unexpected and meaningful ways.
Through these conversations, we’re documenting the human side of scientific education – the moments of wonder, the challenges overcome, the relationships formed, and the career paths created, redirected or reaffirmed. We’re showing that OTS is more than an academic program; it’s a launching pad for lives dedicated to understanding and protecting our planet’s most precious ecosystems.
As I continue to host these conversations, I’m constantly reminded of why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place. Every episode reinforces my belief in the power of shared experiences to inspire, educate, and connect us across continents and cultures. The OTS network isn’t just about the time spent in the field – it’s about the lifelong community that emerges from those shared adventures.
So whether you’re a longtime OTS supporter, a recent alum, or someone curious about the impact of field-based education, I invite you to join us on this journey. Listen to “On the Trail of Science: Tracks & Trajectories” on Spotify, share your own story, or simply spread the word about the incredible work happening within our community.
After all, every great story deserves to be heard – and the OTS community has some of the best stories in the world.
“On the Trail of Science: Tracks & Trajectories” is available on Spotify. To share your OTS story or suggest a guest, contact podcast@tropicalstudies.org. @otsabroad on Instagram or @tropicalstudies on Facebook.