By Michelle Carlson
While some students returned to the University in January to take a course, others traveled to different locations around the world to earn credits. One such trip took students to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador, where two professors and 14 students explored the geological and biological aspects of the region. The trip provided for firsthand learning by allowing students to interact with a variety of unique animal and plant species, and diverse volcanic landforms.
Bret Bennington, associate professor of geology, and Russell Burke, associate professor of biology, accompanied the students.
The trip began in Quito, Ecuador, where they then traveled to Santa Cruz. The group went on a seven-day boat trip around the islands. Following the boat trip, they traveled to the Cotopaxi strato-volcano, an active volcano in the Andes.
Before returning home on Jan. 23, students will also travel into the Amazon jungle to study the rainforest in Yasuni National Park.
Unfortunately, Internet availability is limited and they have not been in contact recently.
“There are internet cafes and accessibility, but not from every location they go to,” said Suzanne Shareef, the group’s media contact. They have, however, been able to post some comments and photos.
“Never before in my life have I ever done anything this thrilling, and it is incredibly educational,” wrote junior Daniel Prisco-Buxbaum after one week into the trip. “I’ve learned more in the past week than I ever have in any biology class.”
The trip was not exclusive to undergraduates. “We’ve seen albatrosses doing their courting rituals…Blue-footed boobies with nests of eggs,” wrote graduate student Erin Horn. “I’ve snorkeled with white tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, and green sea turtles.”
Other activities included scuba diving, swimming with dolphins and volunteering with Conservation International, where students have taken part in projects such as promoting the use of local flora.
The students and professors will continue to upload pictures and write about their experiences once access to the Internet is available. To read and see more about the trip, visit http://www.hofstra.edu/Galapagos.