Hands-On, Experiential Conservation Adventuring in Chilean Patagonia Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

What a broad range of criteria to rate here. In the traditional academic sense, my ranking would certainly be lower. There was not a ton of writing and the lectures/readings/discussions were for the most part not extremely in depth. However in terms of experiential knowledge and field experience I cannot imagine a study abroad that prepares you better for conservation biology research.

On-site administration of your program

The administration is generally very un-bureaucratic because the people in charge are your instructors who you become good friends with and are constantly around. It is easy to affect change and talk if a problem rears up. Of course, it is also the nature of the program that things can be chaotic and not go as planned, so it is essential to be dynamic and adaptable in that sense.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

You live in a tent for the most part (not always as much as you expect), but what a location to live in a tent. Even the basecamp is beautiful, tucked right alongside the azure Río Cochrane.

Asados! Food is usually pretty good, but nothing to write home about. Dinners were occasionally fantastic, but not something to write home about. Food could get stretch a little thin at times in the field; if you're a guy, you may lose weight on the program.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We did interact with Chileans a fair amount, but that is not at all the focus of the program and several students got by (a little unhappily) without learning any Spanish. Future semesters may experience more integration if they continue to return to Puerto Edén.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare is not at all easily accessible down there. All the instructors (and normally several students) have a WFR (though experiences levels can vary...) and it really is mostly field medicine.

I always felt very safe on the program. Instructors are very vocal about students being cautious and if you get in trouble it's most likely going to be your own fault.

The people and the place made it an incredible experience. Patagonia was truly beautiful and magic and wondrous, but it was also the experiential knowledge and maybe most importantly the group dynamics and good people that made it a great experience.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

You could spend no money in Patagonia if you wanted to, as food and housing is entirely paid for and you're essentially always on the clock, so there isn't much in the way of personal expenses aside from beverages and the occasional snack in town.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The instructors and many students are often very enthusiastic about Spanish and there is a homestay (3 nights) in which it is all Spanish all the time; so that was encouraging. But it is also all too easy to just speak english and not try to work on spanish when you're spending so much time around American students, taking classes being taught in english, etc.

Select all that apply

• Other
• Host Family
• Hostel

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans

• Field research experience
• The tight bonds formed with your group
• The place

• Academic Intensity
• Grinnels
• Spanish Integration

The Avid Adventurer