CIEE Study Center in Bonaire, Southern Caribbean: Tropical Marine Ecology and Conservation

  Caribbean

Term: Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 15 weeks: early September-mid-December; Spring 15 weeks: mid January-early May

Description: The goal of this program is to offer students an interdisciplinary learning experience that stresses the interconnectedness of tropical ecosystems and investigates the influences of human interaction with nature. Specifically, the program offers students a comprehensive and complex view of the many facets of conservation, marine ecology, and scientific methods in a tropical marine setting with an in-depth look at issues ranging from cultural heritage to natural resource management.

Academic Program
The CIEE Study Center in Bonaire began as a summer program in 2005. The semester program is open to natural science majors who have completed an introductory biology sequence and one of the following electives: invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology,ecology, environmental science, marine biology, conservation biology, coastal man-agement, or the equivalent. With its setting in the natural classroom, the program provides the student with a unique, integrated experience involving class work, field study, and lab work. This program provides a full semester of electives for biology majors. As requirements vary between schools, contact your study abroad office for course equivalents and credit toward your 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 diverse tropical ecosystems with an emphasis on marine plant and animal life, and conservation
  
• Innovative classroom-based and field-intensive academic program; study and dive with experts in a small group setting
  
• Gain extensive research experience conducting a research project and collaborative monitoring programs with the Bonaire National Marine Park and Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire; publish results in scientific Journal Physis

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Experience Required: yes