Challenging but Unforgettable July 10, 2025

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic rigor was manageable compared to Wellesley, and the content itself was not very difficult to understand if one has a solid biology background. However, it was the conditions in which the work had to be completed that made it harder than at Wellesley. Spring 2025 had some unique challenges, especially with WIFI. Almost every assignment was given digitally and was expected to be emailed to the professor. Students were given very little grace when it came to having access and submitting digital work, as there was the expectation that we needed to anticipate random outages. Content and software-wise, there was professor support, especially with R, as it was many students' first time using the program or coding at all. This program is very group-work heavy, which can be a double-edged sword. These group assignments included a peer evaluation, which allows students to hold each other accountable. When it came to the Directed Research component of the course, I felt very supported. Each student ranks which research projects they are interested in. Students also indicate if they prefer to prioritize their project rank, their professor choice, or which students they do or do not want to work with. I worked with Shades, and they always took the time to explain topics when asked, as well as were excited to explore new things with my research group.

On-site administration of your program

The waterfront staff and the health and wellness manager were incredible and so supportive of the students. In my time there, there were some weather issues that caused more waterfront cancellations than normal. This was frustrating for many of the students, as this was a large and exciting part of the program. While the staff did everything they could to still provide us a wonderful experience, the higher administration was not flexible or receptive to student feedback. It often felt that decisions were being made for the students by those who did not take the time to get to know us or listen to us.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

This program is not a resort. I was in a bunk room with five other girls and one bathroom. While mornings could be chaotic, it did feel like everyone had their own space and area, even though they were small. Every room is different, but my room did have its fair share of visitors, including cockroaches, ants, and crabs. This was not a product of uncleanliness, but something that just comes with living in a field station on an island. Although it was challenging at times, having the five roommates made any exterminations a supportive group effort.

The food was honestly really good; the chefs do an amazing job with what they have. The only caveat is that meals could often become repetitive, especially if a student has any food allergies, there are few options.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Every Wednesday and Saturday, the program hosted 'outreach', in which the local kids came to the center for a few hours to play games and take swim lessons. Aside from this, there is not much structured time with the locals, but it is possible to foster your own relationships.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

While I was lucky enough not to have major issues, there is a local clinic that can help with small-scale health issues. For anything serious, students would need to be transported to Providenciales from South Caicos, as the main island is the only one with a hospital. Transportation there can be a 1.5 - 2 hour ferry or a helicopter, so it is best to stay as safe as possible.

As a woman, I felt comfortable walking around the island at night in groups and without men. While I never felt my safety at stake, the local men can be very forward with certain intentions, which can be uncomfortable at times. Many students went on walks/runs by themselves.

Just like the title says, there were some really hard times, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I made some incredible friends, earned some amazing connections with my professors, and got Advanced SCUBA certified.

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

It is best to bring cash, as there are few places that take cards (not including resorts and hotels), and the one atm on the island is fickle. If you bring enough toiletries to last the semester, there is technically nothing you need to buy, as all meals and housing are covered. However, for the midsemester break, getting to and from the islands and or housing on the islands is something to budget for. Other than that, there is a corner store where you can buy snacks and toiletries, the SFS store that sells merch and toiletries, and going out to eat and drink can also be budgeted for. For the semester, I spent around $600.

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• Dorm

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• Americans
• International Students

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• Americans
• International Students

• Waterfront Activites
• The nature
• The friends I made

• More flexible schedule
• Admin can be more receptive to feedback

The Avid Adventurer