Thursday, July 5, 2018

Explore the Galapagos Island!

At Pacific University, we offer short-term study abroad opportunities that range from theater programs in England, education programs in New Zealand to environmental sciences in the Galapagos Island. Senior, Wyatt Eng, spent this past winter on the islands and shared his experience.
  
Name: Wyatt Eng
Major: Bioinformatics
Year: 2019
Hometown: Los Altos, California

What brought you to Pacific?
The family atmosphere and personal care that the faculty members provide for us initially attracted me to Pacific University. During the admissions process, Pacific University was the only school that valued me as a person.  I felt like an individual, not just a number.

What got you involved in the trip to the Galapagos Island?
The biology courses that my major requires gave me the proper background to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad. I also love exploring the outdoors and thought this trip fit me perfectly.

Do you have to major in biology to be able to go on this trip?
No, we had both major and non-major students on the trip. I took this course to fulfill an upper division major requirement for biology, but you do not have to be a natural science major to go.  

How many credits is it worth?
The class is worth a total of four credits.  The first two credits is a prep course on campus and the last two credits is the trip itself, which took place during the winter term.

Was there a lot of preparation for the trip?
Besides the prerequisite courses, we spent the first two days of our trip in Ecuador to acclimate to the culture, climate and elevation.  All of the meals were provided for so we didn't have to worry about packing extra food. The food was amazing especially all the fresh fish we got to eat.

What was a normal day like on this trip?
We spent most of our time exploring the different habitats and nature on the islands. We island hopped every few days so there was always something new to see.

Did you have a lot of assignments?
We had a few, but they were all relevant and really interesting. There was about 15 of us on the trip, including two professors. We would read primary literature articles assigned to us every day and gather in the evenings to discuss the material as well as a brief recap of the day. We also had to maintain a journal and sketches of the different animals and plant organisms that we encountered. 

What was the most awe inspiring moment?
The whole trip was amazing. The only thing I would change, if I could, would be the duration of the stay. I wish it could have been a longer program. However, all of the abundant plant and animal life on the islands was extremely intriguing. Since Ecuador is located on the equator, the mere thought of exploring the center of the planet was absolutely fantastic. While on the Galápagos Islands, I got to see first-hand how evolution affected different organisms. We also got to see historical landmarks, including the first cove that Charles Darwin himself stepped foot on when he first discovered the Galapagos Islands. Overall, I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone considering the experience.

What were some of your favorite moments?
While we were moving to a new island, our boat got surrounded by a pod of dolphins, which then led us to a pod of whales. This particular moment was simply breathtaking and surreal. Some other moments I loved include getting to spend time at a tortoise preservation center, exploring the Cloud Forest, and connecting with all of the people I went on the trip with. In the end, I got to experience what I learned in the classroom and apply it to real life, showing how this incredible trip could be useful throughout my life
Would you study abroad again?
Hands down, I would! Word of advice: The additional cost was worth every penny. If you have the resources, go for it! Live your dreams!

Check out Wyatt's video of his experience!

Schedule a visit today to learn how you can join the next trip!

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