By Tom Schardin, Staff Writer

Amber Bunnell has never traveled out of the Midwest. She’s never been on an airplane.

But on June 26, the sophomore at Burnsville High School will not only go on her first-ever airplane trip, she’ll need her passport, as well. She’s going to Tanzania, Africa for three weeks in the National Geographic Student Expeditions program.

Bunnell was one of 15 high school students in the nation to earn acceptance to go to Africa for the arts and culture program, which has been around for more than 50 years.

“I expect this trip to be amazing,” said Bunnell. “I feel really lucky to be going. This is my first major trip. I’ve never even been in an airport before.”

The student expedition program features many destinations – Spain, Peru, China, Iceland, India, Ecuador, Ireland, Mali, Caribbean, Costa Rica and Belize. Spain was Bunnell’s second choice. Her first was Africa, and she said she can’t wait to learn about the culture and go to work to help the people in Tanzania.

Amber Bunnell: headed to Tanzania Africa.“There were so many great trips, and it was hard for me to pick one,” said Bunnell. “But I’ve always wanted to go to Africa. There is so much going on there. There are so many tragic and terrible things that are happening there that rest of the world kind of turns a blind eye to. I just want to do my part to help out.”

Tanzania is known for its incredible wildlife as well as its diverse cultures. The Maasai is perhaps the most widely recognized tribal group in Tanzania, which is home to more than 120 ethnicities.

The student expedition combines education and adventure. Bunnell will have an opportunity to give back to the local people by participating in community-service projects. There are also on-assignment projects where students can pursue their own areas of interest.

Filmmaker, author and photographer Karin Muller is the expert for the trip. She has published books, produced documentaries, written articles and presented lectures for National Geographic. She has spent several months living in a Maasai village to retrace her family heritage.

John Linsley, who has a bachelor’s degree in history and African students from St. Lawrence University, is the trip leader.

Bunnell is interested in writing. She’s written about the genocide in Darfur, a region in western Sudan, for the BHS school newspaper. When she graduates in 2010, she said she’d like to pursue a double major in writing and something related to social studies.

Bunnell learned about the National Geographic program by picking up a brochure that she saw in the back of her biology class one day. “It looked interesting to me and my parents let me apply,” she said. “But at that time, I never thought I’d actually be going to Africa.”

Bunnell asked two of her former teachers from Eagle Ridge Junior High School – Tia Clasen (social studies) and Mary Lou Dundon (world languages) – to write reference letters in her application. She also had to write her own personal essay.

Bunnell’s mother, Robbie, said Clasen and Dundon have been an inspiration to her daughter. “They unlocked a part of Amber that I always knew there, yet as a mom could only hope that some it would find its way out,” said Robbie. “These two teachers are incredible mentors to Amber and will be her lifelong friends.”

Bunnell said she remembers what Clasen once told her that inspires her and that she’ll take with her on this experience. “She told me to get out into the world,” said Bunnell. “Don’t be afraid; go out and see things, as much as you can. That’s what I want to do.”

To learn more about National Geographic Student Expeditions go to http://ngstudentexpeditions.com. Check out Bunnell’s blog at http://www.africaamber.blogspot.com.