Ecology Study Abroad Programs in Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Before applying, I had doubts about whether I should study abroad and whether or not it should be with this program. Now that I have completed it, however, the thought that I might have gone elsewhere haunts me. I am so thankful to have been a student in Ecuador with SIT, and it has had major positive impacts on my plans for the future. As a student of Environmental Biology in St. Louis, this program gave me field research experiences I couldn't have gotten anywhere else that perfectly complemented what I had already learned in school. After numerous trips to conduct research in some of the coolest places on Earth (cloud forests, the Amazon, the Paramo, and the Galapagos islands), I spent a month studying spider populations in the Amazon for an independent research project that I was able to bring from initial concept to a completed research paper. If this seems intense, fear not! The lovely professors of this program will help build your confidence over the semester and teach you the skills necessary to do something similar yourself (I certainly felt that way). On top of all of this, I met lovely people along the way and felt truly comfortable and informed within the Ecuadorian cultural context. If you are interested in gaining field research experience, seeing some of the most gorgeous parts of the world, and applying theoretical ecology concepts that you've learned in school, look no further. This program is perfect.

Studying abroad in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands was a once-in-a-lifetime, life changing experience. As a biology major, I was looking to gain more knowledge and hands on experience with nature in other areas of the world. Getting to visit the Amazon Rainforest and staying in the Galápagos Islands fulfilled these desires! The courses I took exposed me to new material and were much more hands on than my courses at my home university. In fact, we spent more than half of our class time in the field in some of our courses. Besides the biological aspect, I had wanted to learn Spanish and experience life in another culture/country and Ecuador was perfect for both of these things! The people in both Quito and the islands were friendly and patient as I practiced my Spanish. As for the university and program staff, everyone was super approachable and there to help us adjust to a new life and environment. This experience taught me so many good lessons and I learned so much about my future aspirations. If you are looking for a study abroad program that is both culturally and biologically diverse, this is the program for you!