Amherst student explores biodiversity and community in Madagascar
February 18th, 2026 | Africa, 成人约炮网站 Study Abroad
By Joanna Tanger
From playing music with her host siblings to studying lemur behavior in the field, Anya Hardy-Mittell鈥檚 semester in Madagascar was unforgettable. Hardy-Mittell, a senior at Amherst College, chose 成人约炮网站's program because she wanted to study environmental studies in a French-speaking country. 成人约炮网站鈥檚 program uniquely combines both interests. While in Madagascar, she not only had the opportunity to study French but also learned Malagasy, another of Madagascar鈥檚 official languages.
But Hardy-Mittell says it was connecting with her two host families that resonated with her the most. "My favorite part of studying abroad in Madagascar with 成人约炮网站 was connecting with so many people鈥攆ellow students, the wonderful program staff, and most of all, my host families," she says. "I chose this program in part because I wanted to live with host families and form lasting relationships with them. For me, that involved playing a lot of music with my host siblings. Everyone was so welcoming and I really hope to go back to visit."
What's Hardy-Mittell's advice to prospective students considering Madagascar? "Challenge yourself to learn and speak Malagasy with your host families鈥攖here's a lot you can learn. While you will learn so much about Madagascar's biodiversity and get to visit really incredible places, don't take the day-to-day rhythm of life鈥攇oing to the market, having breakfast with your host siblings, the walk to and from school, taking the bus鈥攆or granted. Those are the things you'll miss most."
Read this article in to learn more about her lemur behavior study and in collaboration with a local agricultural collective.
