SFS PERU: BIODIVERSITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE AMAZON (SEMESTER)
PROGRAM DETAILS
- Terms: Fall, Spring
- Credits: 18 semester-hour credits
- Prerequisites: One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science, 2.7 GPA, 18 years of age
- Application Deadline: Fall: May 1st. Spring: November 1st. Early applications encouraged
- Financial Aid: All accepted students can apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans
OVERVIEW
Discover the living Amazon. Explore the extraordinarily biodiverse ecosystems of the northern Peruvian Amazon. Discuss threats to the region – from climate change to resource extraction – and get at the heart of Peru’s conservation and development issues. Experience flooded forests on a multi-day riverboat expedition and travel to the Andean highlands where you’ll visit cloud forests and the historic Incan capital of Cusco, the hub for visitors to Machu Picchu.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
- Take a multi-day excursion to the village of Sucusari to learn about the livelihoods of the Maijuna people and explore the rainforest from one of the world’s longest canopy walkways.
- Take a five-day riverboat expedition in Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Regional Conservation Area, home to species such as pink river dolphins, sloths, piranhas, primates, macaws, and giant river otters.
- Visit a manatee rescue center, tropical fish exporter, and potato and butterfly farms to study a range of local agriculture and conservation organizations.
- Conduct a comprehensive field research project: Develop a research question, collect and analyze data, write a paper, and present your findings.
SFS students live and study at the Center for Amazon Studies, which lies halfway between the remote city of Iquitos and the port city of Nauta, nestled in the Amazon. The sounds of the forest permeate our campus, from student cabins to the pool and open-air student lounge. The rainforest is accessible via an on-campus trail system which traverses our 183-acre property. Small communities and local shops are within walking distance.
RESEARCH THEMES
- Climate change and conservation practice
- Landscape ecology and habitat fragmentation
- Biodiversity assessment
- Forest health and recovery
- Indigenous knowledge and histories
- Ecosystem services and carbon markets
- Impacts of development in the Amazon
- Biogeography
- Political ecology
CORE SKILLS
- Species identification and population monitoring
- Biodiversity surveys and habitat surveys
- Research plots and transects
- Interviewing and mapping techniques
- Conservation strategy assessment
- Basic Spanish language
- Research design and implementation
- Data collection and analysis
- Research presentation
CONNECT WITH SFS
Visit the
SFS website
Call the Admissions Hotline at 800.989.4418
Email
admissions@fieldstudies.org
Read updates from the field on the
SFS Blog
Follow SFS on
Instagram and
Facebook
Watch student videos on
YouTube and
Vimeo
Further information about The School for Field Studies programs specific to Wheaton College students
Wheaton College is committed to providing students with opportunities to broaden their understanding and vision beyond the borders of this campus and this country. We work in collaboration with carefully selected partner institutions around the world to support our students as they prepare to study abroad and while they are overseas. Students must apply to Wheaton's Center for Global Education as well as the institution through which they plan to study abroad. The most up-to-date information can be found on the program provider's website above.
Admission Requirements:
One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science
Courses & Credits:
Students on each School for Field Studies Semester program take 5 classes (18 credits) which earns students 4 credits at Wheaton College. Each program has a set curriculum that all students take.
Housing & Meals:
Students live at the Center for Amazon Studies, based just outside of Iquitos. Three meals per day are provided.
Budget Information:
Students studying abroad will continue to pay Wheaton tuition. Students are not charged Wheaton room and board, or the Wheaton technology, laundry, or student activities fees while on a study abroad program. Wheaton will, in turn, pay the program for all tuition and academic fees. Students will pay housing directly to their study abroad program. Some study abroad programs include meal plans while others do not offer meal plans and students will shop for and prepare their meals independently. Students will book and pay for their own flights.
Fees billed by Wheaton will be charged to students on their regular Wheaton College student account during regular billing cycles (July/December).
Federal, state, Wheaton need-based and merit scholarships will be applied to these charges for Wheaton-approved programs. Students must consult with the Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) for a comprehensive review of their aid. If a student receives aid beyond the cost of Wheaton tuition, they can request a refund through SFS.
Please do your research as housing and meal costs vary greatly from program to program. This
Budget Worksheet can help you estimate the total costs of your program.
For more information of the School for Field Studies on-site costs, please visit
fieldstudies.org/admissions/costs
For Wheaton specific questions contact:
Center for Global Education
5 Howard Street
Wheaton College
Norton, MA 02766-2322
globaled@wheatoncollege.edu
508-286-4950
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