Final Up to date on November 18, 2021 by AIFS Overseas
Sea lions, big tortoises and penguins – oh my! Discover the ecosystems and biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands this summer time. Get impressed by the identical places that influenced Charles Darwin’s concept of evolution and pure choice.
On the subject of discovering the precise research overseas location to discover environmental science and biodiversity, it’s laborious to select a greater vacation spot than the Galápagos Islands. Situated about 600 miles west of Ecuador’s mainland within the Pacific Ocean, the Galápagos Islands are residence to many endemic species (species discovered nowhere else on Earth). In reality, scientists estimate that about 80% of the land birds, 97% of the reptiles and land mammals and greater than 20% of the marine species are distinctive to the Galápagos.
Examine Environmental Science Overseas within the Galápagos
Earn as much as 3 credit taking the course Ecosystems and Biodiversity within the Galápagos this summer time. The course is predicated on the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) extension campus on the island of San Cristóbal and taught by USFQ school. By means of classroom discussions and experiential studying, you’ll discover how colonization threatened the ecosystems of the islands and be taught concerning the completely different approaches taken to attenuate these threats during the last 50 years. You’ll additionally talk about how the selections of at present will affect the way forward for the Galápagos.
College students learning overseas within the Galápagos additionally be taught outdoors the classroom. Your classroom studying is enhanced by area journeys the place you may expertise the biodiversity and sustainability efforts of the islands firsthand. Subject journeys embody a number of snorkel excursions, hen walks and a go to to La Galapaguera Tortoise Breeding Station. You’ll additionally discover the sustainability efforts of the islands by area journeys to an area recycling plant and an natural espresso plantation.
USFQ and AIFS promote conservation and sustainable tourism within the Galápagos Islands by schooling and analysis. All visits on the islands are to designated customer websites. Moreover, the AIFS Inexperienced Initiative offers carbon offsetting for all AIFS flights.
What’s it like learning overseas within the Galápagos Islands?
“My expertise with AIFS Examine Overseas within the Galápagos was past something I might have imagined. I realized a lot inside and out of doors of the classroom. The employees on the journey had been very nice at making me really feel secure whereas overseas and in a brand new place that’s out of my consolation zone in additional methods than one.” – Olivia B., AIFS in Galápagos Islands, Ecuador alum.
“I consider the tempo and depth of [the course I took] enhanced my studying probably the most by interactive lessons and professors who had been excited to show us about Charles Darwin and the speculation of evolution. We had been taught within the classroom for 3 hours a day and had been then in a position to make use of this data to go on afternoon area journeys and find out about these ideas in larger depth. These area journeys allowed us to really feel extra engaged with our class subject and helped me discover my very own self-interests.” – Isabel S., AIFS in Galápagos Islands, Ecuador alum.
“Positively one of the crucial distinctive experiences of my life. Having the ability to discover the Galápagos after which see how life is completely different on the mainland in Ecuador was actually distinctive. And it’s not only for science majors! Anybody can discover one thing on this journey that may encourage them.” – Julia L., AIFS in Galápagos Islands, Ecuador alum.
Able to spend your summer time exploring wildlife discovered nowhere else on Earth?
