Programs Abroad:
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Semester Abroad (SA): James Cook University, Australia
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Semester Abroad (SA): CIEE Monteverde, Costa Rica
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Penn Global Seminars (PGS): Laboratory of Evolution, Travel to the Galapagos, Ecuador
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Penn Global Seminars (PGS): Globalization and Corruption, Travel to Mongolia
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Global Research & Internship Program (GRIP): LAVA Project Intern in the Galapagos, Ecuador
Ask me about...
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Field courses
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Studying abroad twice
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Returning to the same country multiple times through Penn (PGS and GRIP)
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Living off campus
My Experience Abroad:
I learn best through experiences. As an aspiring ecologist, having the chance to interact with the organisms and natural systems that fascinate me is invaluable. The more tactile and sensory memories I have associated with a subject the easier it is to understand and recall. At Penn my coursework provided a strong foundational understanding of biological concepts and gives me the skillset to synthesize and contextualize literature. However, I am interested in tropical ecosystems and (as anyone who has spent a winter here knows) Penn is definitely not a tropical place. Traveling to, and studying in, the actual ecosystems that I want to specialize in has fleshed out the theoretical scaffolding I developed at Penn.
Furthermore, interning abroad has been instrumental in honing my skills in international communication. I now have the confidence to apply for jobs abroad. Even if I end up working domestically, the international perspective and cross-cultural interaction experience will be a great asset.
Other Highlights:
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Diving on the Great Barrier Reef on a Coral Reef Ecology field trip
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Hiking through a primary forest in the Osa Peninsula
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Watching a turtle give birth
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Arts and Crafts with my host mom
