Program and Location:
Summer, Bahamas: Ecology, Evolution, and Human Dimensions of Conservation Biology; Staniard Creek, Andros Islands, The Bahamas
Major/Minor:
Fisheries and Wildlife Major
Why did you choose to study abroad?
I have always wanted to study abroad while in university. Going in the summer with a program that fit my major seemed like a perfect way to earn credit while having an unforgettable opportunity.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I love my field of study and that I love to travel. This experience makes me want to pursue a career where I can travel to new places while doing work that I enjoy.
What was one of your favorite parts of your program?
One of my favorite parts of my program was learning all the steps of executing a research plan from start to finish. Not only learning how to do research, but also how to use a lot of different testing equipment and how to efficiently take field notes and log them online.
What advice do you have to future study abroad students?
I would advise other students to do a lot of research about a program before signing up. Each program is different in its goals and the way it is run. Finding a program that matches with what you are wanting to get out of it is crucial for having a great experience.
Is there any advice you would give to other students who share your identity?
If you think that you might want to do something like this, do it! It is easy to think that these opportunities are out of reach or meant for other kinds of people. In reality, these are meant for any student who wants a chance to go. If you are worried about cost, there are tons of scholarships just within NCSU that are meant to help, all you have to do is apply!
How were your classes abroad different than if you would have taken them at NC State? Did you take any field trips or do anything outside of the traditional classroom?
These classes were a lot more hands on. The goal was to do research surrounding a research question, so there was a lot of field work involved. We were hiking outside every day and learning how to use new equipment to get the data we needed. Unlike normal classes, we directly used the data that we collected to incorporate into our research paper. Many classes do not give the opportunity to have that start to finish process of a research paper.
Would you do it again?
Yes! But I would definitely do some things differently
