September 18, 2009
Ever
wanted to live on a yacht? Or travel to an exotic, tropical island
and reside in an environmental paradise? At St. John’s University,
you can follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin as you travel
through rainforests, hike the botanical trails and witness
extraordinary species in the unspoiled, mysterious wonderland of
the Galápagos Islands!
“The
Study Abroad Galapagos program was an experience that I hope
every student interested in Biology will one day take part in,”
exclaim Kimberly Bukucuyan, a third-year Biology and Adolescent
Education major. “Ecuador is a beautiful country filled with a
strong culture and tropical flora and was the perfect classroom
experience.”
During University’s winter intersession, students enrolled in the
Biology 1859 course can cruise the Ecuadorian Islands aboard the
yacht Aida Maria, discovering new adventures and gaining an
appreciation of the area and the conservation methods being used to
uphold the balance of nature.
While in the Galápagos, awake every morning to a different island
as tour boats navigate through the Archipelagos. Once on the
mainland, hike through the spectacular wild Cloud Forest, the San
Jorge Botanical Reserve and the San Jorge de Milpe Orchid and Bird
Reserve (a subtropical Rain Forest). You can observe over 450
species of birds, tropical plants and flowers that envelope the
region, visit the sacred waterfalls, discuss the bio-geographical
diversity of the islands and witness the spectacular volcanic peaks
of the Cayambe, Antizana, Pasochoa and much more.
A Journey of a Lifetime
This unique program was created by Biological Sciences Professors
Richard Stalter, Ph.D. and
Christopher Bazinet, Ph.D. to illustrate a link between the
Galápagos Islands and the concept of Darwin’s theories of
evolution.
“This distinctive program offers students an opportunity to explore
thousands of acres of beautiful paradise,” says Dr. Stalter. “The
daily excursions teach them that science can be a fun and integral
part in conserving the native vegetation of the island.”
The program’s academic service-learning component adds an
appreciation for ecology in a challenging environment. In an effort
to preserve the island’s natural opulence, faculty and students
join together to maintain the exotic preserves, clear trails and
plant native trees and shrubs in the Cloud Forest.
“The main attraction of the Galápagos is its wild remoteness and
striking differences between the appearance and behavior of the
animals,” notes
Dr. Bazinet. “Darwin once credited this remote island for his ideas
on evolutionary biology, which allowed us to think deeply about the
creation of the world.”
“The Galápagos is an extraordinary prospect,” explains Karl Rutter
Director of Recruitment in the Office of Global Studies. “St.
John’s is happy to offer these types of winter intersession
programs to students. Where else could students live on a boat,
visit a subtropical rainforest, and cross the equator all while
earning three credits.”
Time is running out, so don’t
delay! All applications and documentation must be submitted
by September 25, 2009. For more information about the pristine
Island of the Galápagos should contact Dr. Richard Stalter at stalterr@stjohns.edu, or The
Office of Global Studies at globalstudies@stjohns.edu
or (718) 990-6105.