Program Photos

Tropical Marine Ecology and Conservation Program in the Southern Caribbean

Location: Caribbean: Bonaire Island

Term: Fall, Spring

Dates: Fall 15 weeks: late August-early-December; Spring 15 weeks: mid-January-late April

http://www.ciee.org

300 Fore Street Portland, ME 04101 United States

Call Us

Phone: 207-533-4000;
Toll-free: 800.40.STUDY

Fax: 207-553-5000

Description

The Tropical Marine Ecology and Conservation study abroad program in Bonaire is designed for students with biology-related majors who have completed at least one year of biology or environmental science and seek an innovative classroom and field-based academic program focused on diverse tropical ecosystems in the Southern Caribbean with a focus on marine plant and fish life.

Academic Program
The CIEE Study Center in Bonaire began as a summer program in 2005. The semester program began in 2006 and is open to biology majors who have completed an introductory biology sequence (2 semesters) and an upper level biology course such as ecology, invertebrate zoology, marine biology, vertebrate zoology, ichthyology, or the equivalent. With its setting in the southern Caribbean sea, the program provides a unique, integrated academic experience involving class work, field research, and lab research and offers a full semester of upper-level courses for biology majors. As requirements vary between schools, students should contact their study abroad office for course equivalents and credit toward their degree. All courses are taught in English.

Academic Culture
This program is offered for CIEE students only and contains extensive experiential components. The program integrates lectures, field experience, student group work, and readings. Professors prepare students in the classroom and accompany them on field trips. Diving is an integral part of the program, and given the number of dives and island excursions required, students should expect an intense, yet rewarding experience. Emphasis is placed on hands-on field observation of ecological processes, as well as human-nature interactions and their application to the conservation of natural and cultural resources.

Highlights

  • Focus on coral reef ecology and ecosystems on a beautiful Caribbean reef
  • Log up to 50 scientific dives for class and independent research
  • Collaborate on research projects with the Bonaire National Marine Park, Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, and CIEE Research Station Bonaire
  • Publish the results of your research in the student scientific journal Physis: Journal of Marine Science

Culture
Cultural Activities and Field Trips
In order to learn about the cultural history of Bonaire, the program includes excursions to significant cultural activities such as Carnival, Queen's Day, and the Harvest Festival. The environmental history of Bonaire is closely tied to the culture of the people on the island and there are a number of field trips to areas of significant cultural or environmental importance such as the slave huts, Washington Slagbaii National Park, Lac Bay, Klein Bonaire, Rincon (the oldest town in the Netherlands Antilles), caves, salt pans, flamingo sanctuaries, mangroves, prehistoric cave paintings, and seagrass beds. In addition, students have free time to explore Bonaire.

Volunteering
CIEE students have participated in volunteer projects involving marine conservation and generating community involvement in reducing human impact on sensitive environmental areas on the island of Bonaire. The projects change based on needs of the community, and in the past have included hosting a children's festival with a marine ecology theme and a recent project involved using painted rocks to mark the best shore diving entry sites to decrease the impact of shore divers by directing them to a specific entry area. Students have also participated in underwater cleanup dives. The volunteer service projects have had excellent participation from the local community and recognition from the Bonaire National Marine Park.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$:

Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing.

Cost Includes:

Cost Include Description:

The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, 14 meals per week, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, national park entry fees, scientific equipment, local transportation, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits. There will be an additional fee (paid on-site) for those who need to complete the four open water dives to obtain their diving certification.

Credit Available

no

Experience Required

yes

    • 2.75 GPA
    • 2 semesters of college-level biology required
    • Upper-level coursework in ecology and/or zoology recommended
    • Nationally recognized SCUBA certification or PADI referral (Professional Association of Diving Instruction)
This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Group living

Participants Travel to Caribbean

Independently

Application Process Involves
  • Letters of Reference
  • Transcript
  • Written Application
  • Other
CIEE's Mission Statement

Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever.

Year Founded

1947

GoAbroad.com