Unique opportunity exploring natural history in Patagonia Past Review

By Rebecca Holdhusen (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/14/2016 to 12/08/2016 with

Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I gained a remarkable understanding and interest in the natural history of Patagonia. I also learned and experienced the importance and difficulty of conservation planning in rural areas like Patagonia. My study abroad experience was incredibly worthwhile overall.

Review Photos

Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	As long as you like living in a tent, you'll like it!
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes Overall, my time in Patagonia was incredible and memorable. There are places I was able to see and experience that I would have never been able to without studying with Round River. Although at times the social situation and weather was difficult to handle, the most difficult times of the program are now the most memorable.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)	So much of the program is spent in the field that there is little opportunity or need to spend money outside of occasional trips into town.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$10

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Spanish 220
How many hours per day did you use the language?	0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Don't be afraid to interact with guardaparques and other partners of Round River. It is difficult to practice Spanish unless you push yourself to do so.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Other
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	The time spent collecting data in the field The close connections built between students and instructors The location!
* What could be improved?	Organization and transparency in decisions about students' time on the program Providing more opportunities for students to explore and experience field sites on their own Encouraging conflict resolution to maintain positive group dynamics
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Bring different books and readings about topics you're interested in that aren't related to class topics.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Avid Adventurer The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Patagonia Natural History
Course Department:	Conservation Biology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course provided a great opportunity to understand the natural history of the region you will be studying for the semester. The course is very hands on, with most learning being directly in the field.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Conservation Biology
Course Department:	Conservation Biology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course provides a basic understanding of the field of conservation biology. Readings and discussions are helpful, but going in with an understanding of ecology helps with fully comprehending the material.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Humans and the Environment
Course Department:	Conservation Biology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course introduces the issue of how humans relate to the conservation biology issues being addressed in studies you will conduct during the semester. I think this course is incredibly important for fully understanding the role of humans in conservation decisions and practices, as well as understanding the complexities of many conservation issues that directly involve humans.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Biological Field Methods
Course Department:	Conservation Biology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course isn't discussion based but rather works to increase students' skill sets while collecting biological data in the field. The course culminates in a final research paper, where students are able to explore a specific study completed over the semester in greater depth.
Credit Transfer Issues: