Round River Conservation Studies

I was originally supposed to study abroad with Round River in Mongolia in the summer of 2020, but the global pandemic changed those plans. After graduating in 2024 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, I was looking for opportunities to gain field experience in conservation, and I was, in general, contemplating future career and graduate school options (and feeling a bit lost!) I decided to see if Round River would have me back as a recently graduated student - and I am so incredibly lucky that they did. The Mongolia program truly changed my life, enhanced my worldview and sense of purpose/self, and absolutely changed the trajectory of my career. I gained valuable field research skills, and I learned what it truly means to be a Conservation Biologist, to be a Naturalist, and to be in pursuit of practicing science in reciprocity with the land. The emphasis on local leadership from the Darhad Valley, combined with our incredible instructors, created the richest, most immersive, holistic, and transformative education I have ever received. A constant focus on the interweaving of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western Science was at the heart of all we did, and I learned how to approach conservation through a lens that beautifully synthesizes both of those worlds. I will carry the lessons from the Darhad Valley and the people/beings who call it home with me for the rest of my life, and will always hold my Round River experience close to my heart as a beacon that guides my winding path.

There are not many programs out there that can offer such a unique and immersive environmentally-focused study abroad experience. I got the opportunity to spend three months in Patagonia, Chile with an amazing group of like-minded, passionate students. I have never been with a more supportive and engaging community in my life. It was very easy to feel grounded when surrounded by beautiful landscapes and curious friends. Not only did I learn about the natural history and culture of Patagonia, but I also learned a lot about the importance of organization, community and scientific communication, and preparation for longer remote field work excursions. There are plenty of challenges and tough moments that come with living in a tent for three months, but those quickly become learning experiences and moments for personal growth. Identifying bryophytes with views of a glacier, learning from my host family about the challenges of sheep farming, and cooking/eating delicious group meals together were some of my highlights during my time with Round River Conservation Studies!

I saw, learned, and experianced so much more then I can put in a review. The landsacpe is breathtaking. So many of the people I met were so admirable, and learning from from the community partners, the teachers, and my fellow students felt like drinking from a interdisciplinary firehose! I miss everyone very much. I apreciate how the program is primarily a conservation research organisation; and the actual research is meaningful and empowering. As a student you learn on the job, and take clases during in the afternoons.

I learned so much about the community and how conservation work within this region. This program made me think about the larger implications of effect community based natural resource management and how it offers a alternative method of conservation that focuses on the economics of the region.

Most of our days in the Taku River Watershed involved driving down bumpy roads, climbing up and down mountains, and walking slowly along trails trying to identify every plant we saw. Other days we spent backpacking, riding on a boat, or sitting in the laundromat doing homework. Although we did have some visitors from the community, we spent most of our time with our small group, partly due to COVID concerns. This program allowed me to finally understand how important research is for conservation purposes. I participated in various research projects in my time in British Columbia, and unlike other research projects I’ve participated in, I immediately understood the relevance of the research and who it would be distributed to. Part of this was due to the instructors, who were very helpful, but part of it was due to the information we learned about the Taku River Tlingit and how they manage their traditional territory. This was not an easy program on a physical or academic level, but it was definitely worth it. I learned the names of practically every plant and animal we saw, slept outside in a tent every night, and studied next to a fire pit with a gorgeous view of the mountains and nearby Atlin Lake. I’ve never been able to get to know a place as intimately as I did while on this program, and I hope I get this opportunity again.

Like Zach, I was initially signed up to go to Mongolia with Round River and only ended up going to the Sky Islands because of Covid. I won't lie, I was apprehensive at first about living in Arizona in the summer and a little disappointed to be studying "abroad" in the US instead of Mongolia. Luckily, it turned out to be one of the most special summers of my life and I'm so glad I chose to go! The image I had in my head of Arizona was a SpongeBobesque wasteland; instead, it was an incredibly beautiful and diverse patchwork of mountains, valleys, and streams. Each Sky Island mountain range that we worked in was covered in Ponderosa forest and the desert valleys in between were like nothing I'd ever seen before. We also got to see everything turn green over the course of the monsoon season from July to August. For academics, we had some readings and homework to do, but most of the work was field-based. We mostly worked with Round River's community partner Sky Island Alliance- the biggest projects were monitoring springs in the mountains, doing riverbank restoration in a canyon, and helping with the US-Mexico border wildlife survey. The border, and its implications for wildlife (and people), is a huge factor in conservation in the Southwest. We talk about socio-ecological systems in my classes at UVM all the time, but there is nothing like actually experiencing and working in that landscape to help you understand the problems faced in this field. It was really cool to get to work with Round River's community partners and know that the research you are doing is solicited by the people who live and work there. A nice part about the Sky Island program specifically is that you get to make connections with people in the conservation world in the US! (I was even able to go back to Arizona this summer to do research with one of the people I met through being on Round River a year before!).

If you’re interested in spending time outside, gaining field experience, or needing a break from lecture halls, you’re looking in the right direction. I learned so much during my time in Patagonia. Not often will you find the opportunity to live with a group of awesome people in a stunning landscape. The environment and living conditions create a sense of community hard to replicate in any other setting. It’s something I hope for everyone to experience and wish we had more of in our everyday lives. Academically, I gained experience doing field work and spent my days living what I was learning. Dinners and car rides became an extension of school and I relearned how to be curious about my surroundings. Our instructors were amazing! Super knowledgeable, experienced, and fun individuals who brought a variety of expertise and interests. There are plenty of tough moments, but that's what makes it worthwhile. You’ll swim in the clearest water in the world and spend some nights wishing for a bed. You’ll be sick of oatmeal, but return home to find yourself making it anyway. You’ll stay with a family you can hardly communicate with, and build a friendship anyway. I would spend a second semester with Round River in an instant. If you are thinking about it, but a little nervous... do it anyway. You'll grow so much and think back to this time as one of your favorite college experiences.

If you're looking for an out of the ordinary abroad experience camping in the Patagonia outdoors for 3 months then this is exactly what you're looking for! My group of seven other students and I got to hike along trails with the most incredible views that I have ever seen, all while learning about the species and life around us. Our instructors were all incredibly knowledgeable on a wide range of subjects and very personable as well, helping me to feel supported throughout my time in Chile. This program taught me so much, not only through academics but also through experiences with locals and such a dynamic natural environment. Some of the highlights of the semester included teaching middle school students about the Chilean natural environment in Spanish, my week long home-stay on a strawberry farm, and our longest backpacking trip along La Ruta de Los Pioneros. I would highly recommend this program to anyone with a love for the outdoors!

I do not exaggerate when I say that this program was the best experience I've had in my life. Round River proves that you do not need a traditional school setting to really learn about the world around you. I have never learned so much content in only three months without having to sit down and force myself to study. This is because you are applying your knowledge daily when conducting research out in the bush. Every day you wake up, you go out into the field and you practice identifying wildlife and plants, recognizing animal behavior, sexing animals, aging individuals, learning calls, and endless more information on the natural and life history of a species. This information is both for research as well as for your own advancement of knowledge. By the end of the trip, you are running through data collection like nothing, because you really know the elements around you. How cool is it to say that you know the name of that bird, or the mating call of that mammal! Most days you are engaging with locals who are super supportive and patient as you practice your Setswana. I cannot stress enough that you are learning by just living there and embracing your curiosity! Additionally, your instructors become some of your closest friends. When you are struggling with any course content, your instructors are there to guide you through it. The instructors in this program are so knowledgable about the landscape around them and I found myself posing question after question. Sometimes your curiosity just gets the best of you and you end up learning more than you ever thought you could. I was primarily concerned about safety before I went on this trip. That is so fair! You are in a new environment surrounded by new people and wild, dangerous animals. One huge take-away from this trip is that one, you have to trust your instructors. Some of the instructors and all of your escort guides have lived in Botswana their entire lives and they know what they are doing. Everything has inherent risk, however it is the same anywhere. Most animals are scared of humans and will not actively seek you out. While I was still on the lookout for the occasional black mamba (you rarely see them), after only a few days I felt super safe no matter where we went. Now, this program is definitely not for everybody. You will be camping for the entirety of your time there and this is a unique experience that is not for everyone. Showering is limited and there are some campsites where you dig your own toilet :). I will say, however, that I had never spent more than a week in a tent at a time before this program and I would have rather been in my tent than in a bed; I am serious! You can hear everything from a tent that you could not in a lodge. We could hear lions, elephants, hyenas! Every evening you go to bed to the sound of the bush. It is certainly something I missed when I left. If you are feeling burnout from traditional school and want to re-ignite your love of learning, then you should, without a doubt, do this program. I am an individual who has dealt with anxiety around school for my entire career as a student. I went on this trip fully expecting my anxiety to still be at play. I kid you not, I had the least anxiety I have ever had in my entire life! Learning was fun and I was surrounded by people who became my family. I say this genuinly: yes I miss the animals, but the people I miss the most. I can rave about this program for hours. If you want to hear more stories or if you have any questions, please get in touch with me. I would be more than happy to speak to you further! There are endless stories to share.

After getting accepted into the Round River program going to Mongolia, and having it get cancelled twice, I did not know what to think about heading down to Arizona. That being said, I went in knowing that I was going to enjoy it, and it definitely did not dissapoint. I absolutely loved everything about the program. The food that we made never dissapointed, every one of the students on the program quickly became some of the best friends that I have ever had, and we got to sleep out under thousands of stars every night. Even the weather down in Arizona was very nice. When I first decided to go on this program, weather was definitely one of my big concerns. Once we got down there, the weather was a lot better than I was expecting, and I got to experience monsoons for the first time, which was a very exciting experience. With everything considered, I cannot think of anything about the program that I would change, and the six weeks that I spent down in Arizona was without a doubt the best six weeks of my life.

Round River is a unique program because it focuses on real-world conservation work and place-based learning. I hadn't taken any biology before this program, and I learned SO much. Every day I knew more about the desert/mountain ecosystem around me and felt more connected to its complexity and beauty. We partnered with a local conservation organization which was amazing because we were doing relevant conservation work on the border. We also thought a lot about the current immigration humanitarian crisis in the region. This was important to me because it tied together human and environmental issues. My group of 6 student and 2 instructors had a blast backpacking to research springs, and car camping to do vegetation surveys. All around this was an incredible experience and couldn't recommend it more!

This program has to be one of the most unique and transformative study abroad programs out there. On this program, you will spend several months in a remote valley in Northern Mongolia, a ten hour drive on a dirt track away from the nearest plumbing or pavement. Out there, you will work closely with locals on various conservation research projects within the national parks in the area. This program foregrounds the experiential, and you will spend most of your days in the field. While the academics could be a little more rigorous, we asked fascinating questions like how best to manage land for conservation, how to understand the relationship between people and nature, and what we even mean by "nature." In the field work and academics, Round River stands out for their respect and conscientiousness for how to ethically do science as outsiders. They focus on how to help indigenous communities manage their land and constantly self-examine the sociopolitical implications of their presence. In turn, the science we do is hugely important and meaningful to the locals. My research felt so meaningful and appreciated, and I could see a clear cause my work would contribute to. My favorite component had to be the group dynamic the program allowed me to build. Since you live with 7 other students and 3 instructors in close quarters for the entire program, I had the chance to build incredible, loving bonds that made for endless inside jokes and a hugely supportive environment. This program is nothing like partying in Barcelona or being stuck in a classroom; living in a tent in the cold away from internet for several months may not be for everybody, but I see the world differently now and do it again in a heartbeat. Be prepared for lots of hiking, cold weather, and constantly changing or unknown schedule (unavoidable due to the programs dependence on weather and locals showing up... Mongolians have a much looser sense of time than you might be used to in the US!). I highly, highly, highly recommend this program for naturalists, adventurers, avid readers, lovers of nature, aspiring conservationists, those invested in defending indigenous rights, and anyone interested in a truly life-changing study abroad!

The instructors are great and the students were great as well- I made lifelong friends. You learn so many practical skills that will help you get experience in field biology, outdoor living, or domestic stuff like cooking. You learn so much about wilderness and conservation and do it in such an awesome and unique place which adds to the experience. I also grew in my personal sense of self and my place on the earth which was really cool. I found myself being thankful for every day that I was there. If you like the outdoors/nature at all- do yourself a favor and go on a Round River Program.

This program is amazing!!! I highly recommend it. Round River is a small and super personable organization, making you feel at home and supported through every step of the study abroad process. On top of this, it was definitely the best education of my life! I have retained so much information from my time in Botswana. It's real world experience, that's applicable to your everyday life. Every aspect of the program was educational. Had many events with villagers and locals, in addition to having local instructors and escort guides for our program. Weren't often in town with the locals, but always had people from Botswana with us! Round River Botswana is an unforgettable program. I learned so much about conservation, wildlife, coexistence efforts, etc. Plus, you get to camp for three months! Your home is your classroom-the breathtaking bush of Bots. They support all of your needs and provide the perfect environment for a one of a kind educational and research experience.

The Round River Taku program was such a unique and life-changing experience for me. The combination of academics, time spent in the field, tight-knit community, and local connections made the program exciting and meaningful every single day. This program is truly a special opportunity to see wildlife, contribute to longterm research, and become apart of a wonderful community. It was amazing to learn about and dedicate time and energy to the conservation efforts in such an amazing place, and it was also very meaningful to be able to witness firsthand the successes that Round River and the Taku River Tlingit have had in the conservation of the Atlin area. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone interested in conservation in the North.

Round River did an excellent job putting together this program. I was looking for a study abroad program that would provide me with the opportunity to gain experience in wildlife field research, while also giving me the chance to be abroad and experience wildlife research in a different culture. I gained technical skills, as well as cultural experiences while abroad with Round River. The academics (though rushed at some times due to the rigorous schedule of the field work) were relevant to conservation and to Mongolia. The instructors were knowledgeable and friendly, and the students were awesome to be around. We were able to be immersed in the Mongolian culture in addition to spending so much time in the field. I would highly recommend this study abroad program to anyone who is looking to learn more about conservation, or wants to experience the back country of Mongolia. Mongolia is a phenomenal program to visit and Round River made the experience one of the best decisions that I ever made in college.

I joined the 2018 Summer program in Mongolia and it was incredible. From the breathtaking views of the jagged, high altitude mountains to the rolling plains, I couldn't have picked a more beautiful place to spend my summer. The conservation curriculum was interesting and informative. After completing the program, I feel confident conducting and presenting research to audiences that can use the work to implement political and environmental change. My favorite part of the program was the way Round River worked closely with the Horidal-Saridag Park Rangers, located near where we were stationed in Ulaan Uul, Mongolia. The relationships I made with the rangers, fellow students, and instructors are lifelong and key to the comprehensive conservation conducted during the summer. I would highly recommend this to the outdoorsy adventurous student who is looking to improve their conservation ideology and skills.

To this day I still question if my experience with Round River was even real! We saw some of the most beautiful landscapes and built connections with some unbelievable people. We were conducting conservation research in the Ulaan Taiga National Park and we worked closely with the park director and many of the rangers. They had such a unique perspective on conservation and the land they we're living on. It was so inspiring to be immersed in a culture that is so different from our own but to still somehow feel at home. The classes were challenging but so relevant to what we were doing that it was very easy to apply to the work that we were doing. The individual projects made me feel more confident in my ability to conduct research and understand what a career in conservation would look like.

On my program with Round River I was deeply immersed in Mongolian culture while learning about the land through field work. Our group spent 6 weeks in the Darhad Valley surveying plant, bird, and mammal species while developing an understanding of the deep cultural appreciation Mongolians hold toward the land. It was inspirational to form close relationships with locals, mostly national park rangers, and be able to hear their stories. I developed a greater relationship to my environment as well as with those I surround myself with. The group of students who were with me were some of the most incredible people I have met and feel lucky to call them close friends now.

The 6 weeks I spent in Mongolia allowed me to see a culture and environment so different than my own in a context impossible to replicate as simply a tourist. We were roughing it in natural areas so remote that perhaps less than a dozen other people have ever been there before. While we did sleep in tents in the wilderness a majority of the time, we were also able to attend several cultural experiences like the giant sports festival of Nadaam or a traditional Mongolian barbecue. Since two out of our three instructors were fluent in Mongolian there was little lost in translation in our frequent interactions with the locals around the Darhad Valley, giving us real insight into the locations we were staying in. Getting a full semester's worth of credits in less than half of my summer was also pretty nice.