DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - For Delaware Valley University track & field student-athlete Alyson Bingaman, this summer brought the opportunity to take her passion for animals halfway around the world.

Bingaman traveled to South Africa to study the care of big cats in a zoo setting, including diseases that affect large cats and their smaller feline relatives.

The experience gave Bingaman a chance to immerse herself in a new culture while continuing her education in a completely different environment. She said meeting the people of South Africa and experiencing their culture made her want to travel even more, while completing lectures and a final assignment abroad showed her that she could succeed academically outside of her comfort zone.

One of her most memorable moments came during a presentation about calicivirus and its impact on the cheetahs at the facility. While the presentation focused on the difficult loss of animals, Bingaman was struck by the connection the staff had with the cheetahs.

"You could see that the emotions behind the curators made this more than just a job for them," Bingaman said. "They have true bonds with these animals."

That experience reinforced why Bingaman hopes to become a veterinarian.

"This is why I chose to be a veterinarian, so I can help these animals who mean so much to these people," she said.

Her experience as a Division III student-athlete also helped prepare her for the physical demands of the program. From spending hours moving hay into the tiger enclosure to hiking up a mountain to check the facility's perimeter, Bingaman said her athletic background helped her handle tasks that others found more challenging.

For Bingaman, the trip was about much more than earning college credit. It was an opportunity to experience a new culture, expand her knowledge and take another step toward her future career.

Her advice to other student-athletes considering a similar opportunity is simple: "Go for it."

"All the great new experiences you will have will open up a whole new side to the crazy world that you didn't get to explore yet," she said. "Plus, if you can get some college credit while doing it, that's just another plus side!"