91¶ÌÊÓƵ

OGDEN, Utah—Kenley Stanger, a 91¶ÌÊÓƵ environmental science fall 2024 College of Science co-valedictorian, with a passion for zoology, spent this past July immersed in the Indonesian jungle, studying orangutans. Over ten days, she tracked a mother orangutan and her infant, observing their daily behavior. “Seeing a wild orangutan for the first time was crazy—just so exciting and surreal,” she said.

In addition to studying orangutans, the program included cultural experiences such as visiting temples, snorkeling, and attending a local wedding. “Attending the wedding was the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life. Dancing with the village children and the hospitality of the community was unforgettable,” Kenley shared.

Kenley’s journey started with a determination to combine her love for research and travel. After applying to eight different Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs without success, she quickly shifted gears and found an incredible opportunity through a study abroad program. This program turned out to be the perfect fit. It allowed her to pursue her passions with hands-on research in Indonesia where Kenley embraced the challenges of jungle life.

“Walking through the jungle was intense— bushwalking in the middle of a swampy forest with mosquitoes and biting ants everywhere. A lot of people in my group struggled with it, but I had an amazing time. My past fieldwork experiences really prepared me, especially compared to others who weren’t as ready for the challenges.” 

For students interested in similar opportunities and who "know what you want to do," Kenley offers practical advice to "just Google it and see what you can find." She added that students should not hesitate to send out emails, make connections, and be sure to gather strong letters of recommendation. She credits her mentors and faculty for their guidance, saying “My mentors and faculty members were incredibly supportive, helping with letters of recommendation and application materials.” Of her experience, she adds,

“I think I developed a lot of valuable skills, like working with people you don’t necessarily align with directly, which taught me adaptability. The wildlife tracking experience was incredible, and those long fieldwork days really prepared me for the future. We’d pack a lunch, carry it in our backpacks, and eat it cold hours later—but it was all part of the experience.” 

Kenley encourages students to take a leap despite any hesitation, 
“I never felt unsafe in Indonesia and loved every person I met. My advice is simply, to just do it.”