Interviews
Vathy, Samos, Greece
Studying and working abroad can be life-changing but to what extent? Below, you’ll hear from amazing women, both new and experienced in the field, as they share how their work abroad have shaped their personal and professional lives.
Dr. Renee Albertson
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Dr. Renee Albertson, a Professor of Teaching and Research Affiliate at Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute, holds a PhD focused on rough-toothed dolphins and a master’s on humpback whales in Southern Hemisphere breeding grounds. By taking a leap of faith started her career with marine mammals in French Polynesia and across the South Pacific, where her experiences extended far beyond research.
Living and working in these regions immersed her in new cultures, languages, and ways of life, shaping not only her scientific perspective but also how she connects and collaborates with others. Being able to work alongside local communities, she gained a deeper understanding of the importance of cultural knowledge and conservation and the value of building relationships grounded in respect.
From long, demanding field days to the quieter, often overlooked realities of research, her time abroad revealed both the challenges and rewards of this field changing her professional and personal perspectives.
to learn how working abroad shaped her career, perspective on conservation and within her life, in addition to advice for students pursuing similar paths.
Shalynn Pack
Shalynn grew up traveling with her family, which inspired her to incorporate international experiences into her studies at Oregon State University. While earning her degree, she found an international internship in Kenya to work with park rangers and game wardens on projects like giraffe photo identification. Although the experience didn’t unfold exactly as she expected, it turned into something she couldn’t have predicted or planned and learned more about Kenya’s culture, way of life, and wildlife in a truly unique setting. After returning from Kenya, Shalynn knew she wanted to explore more of the world. Following graduation, she spent six months in South America, traveling through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. During that time, she volunteered in Peru, where she received room and board while contributing to macaw research and conservation work, an experience she described as both eye-opening and rewarding. Her passion for global learning didn’t end there. Shalynn went on to become an international group educator, leading others abroad to help them develop new skills, broaden their perspectives, and build meaningful connections around the world. Today she works as Oregon State University as the Internship Coordinator for the Dept. of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, and gets to help students find amazing opportunities both locally and abroad. She says that getting
to empower students to follow their passions and help the Earth in their own unique ways, is an absolute dream job!
Shalynn also spoke about the importance of breaking down the barriers around women in travel and science fields. When she started traveling as a young woman, she would often hear concern from her loved ones about how dangerous it was to travel in foreign countries. And then when in those countries, people would often ask, "Wow, you're from the U.S. - isn't it so dangerous there?" She noted that our perceptions are so influenced by media portrayals, and that in her experience, people she met abroad were overwhelmingly kind, welcoming, and helpful.
Her advice for anyone hoping to work internationally is simple yet powerful: be kind, friendly, curious, and smart, just as you would be at home. Above all, Shalynn encourages others, especially young women, to get out there, be willing to learn, and build connections. For her, the friendships and experiences she’s gained through her travels have been among the most meaningful parts of her journey, and she hopes everyone gets the chance to get abroad at some point in their lives.
Reilly’s work in shark ecology offers a unique perspective on studying marine systems across the globe, combining techniques like DNA metabarcoding and fatty acid analysis to understand feeding behavior. With a background in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a Master’s in Fisheries Science from Oregon State University, her research has taken her from the U.S. to the Bahamas and Australia. Working abroad has exposed her to both the challenges and rewards of field and lab research, from adapting to remote island life in the Bahamas to collaborating in advanced research labs in Australia. Along the way, she has experienced different cultures, built meaningful connections, and gained perspectives that extend far beyond science.Her experiences highlight the importance of adaptability, cultural awareness, and stepping outside of your comfort zone, especially for women pursuing international research opportunities.
Reilly Boyt
to learn how working abroad shaped her career, perspective within her life, in addition to advice for women pursuing a similar paths.
Delanie Rogers
Delanie is in her final year as a Zoology major at Oregon State University, minoring in Natural Resources and Chemistry, and plans to pursue a master’s degree in Conservation Biology. From early on in her academic career, she knew she wanted to work in conservation, particularly in hands-on, field-based environmental settings outside the United States aiming to help areas that really need it. This drive led her to participate in a faculty-led study abroad program in Mozambique, spending 12 days at Gorongosa National Park in a program focused on biodiversity conservation and its connection to sustainable development. While short in duration, the experience has had a lasting impact. Being immersed in the park and culture allowed Delanie to see conservation in practice, reinforcing concepts she had previously only encountered in coursework and helping her better understand the entirety of balancing ecological protection with human needs. The experience also opened doors professionally, as she formed close relationships with faculty mentors who later supported her graduate school applications and also connected with scientists working directly in the park.
Delanie was motivated to study abroad by a desire to gain hands-on field experience and to build a global perspective on conservation work, which she is happy to say she gained that experience along with memories she’ll never forget. She was particularly drawn to the program’s emphasis on sustainable development and the opportunity to engage with local communities and cultures outside of a Western lens. Although it wasn’t without its challenges she mentioned that adjusting to the heat, humidity, language barriers and a different pace of life presented was difficult at first, but with the kindness and connecting with locals made the transition easier.
​Some of Delanie’s favorite memories from Mozambique include sunset safaris where she observed elephants, lions, and hippos in their natural habitat, spending time with children at a local preschool supported by the park, and sharing late-night meals with classmates as baboons lingered nearby. Through these experiences, she gained knowledge and skills in a unique setting allowing her to deeper understand why she wanted to pursue a career in this field, to help people and make a direct impact on communities that need it most. Returning home gave her new perspective on the resources and comforts she had previously taken for granted, and strengthened her motivation to pursue a career in conservation that supports both wildlife and human communities. Her time in Mozambique continues to inspire her goals, and she hopes to one day return to similar environments to contribute to conservation efforts on a global scale.