IES Abroad - GAIAS Study Abroad Program
IES Abroad invites students to com participate in the GAIAS program in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The GAIAS is a subsidiary of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. During the program, students can choose between three different academic tracks: Evolution, Ecology & Conservation; Marine Ecology; or People, Politics & the Environment. Each focuses on important issues in the area and are taught in English. Students stay with Ecuadorian host families during the trip. For further details, place consult the IES Abroad website today!
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About IES Abroad
Their Roots: IES Abroad was co-founded by Paul Koutny, an Austrian student who had moved to the US on a Fulbright scholarship in 1950. While there, he envisioned a future built on a peace that grew from the lessons learned while studying abroad. He rallied 21 other friends and the crew hopped on the SS Volendam headed for a year of studies in Vienna. Feeling inspired by their own experience in Austria, IES Abroad alums Clarence and Alberta Giese immediately began helping send future groups of students abroad. Before they knew it, 60 years had passed, and IES Abroad remains a longstanding and exemplary study abroad option for students today.
Their Quest: "IES Abroad strives to provide premier study abroad programs for U.S. students that deliver the highest quality education while simultaneously promoting development of intercultural competence."
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This was an amazing program. There are multiple sets of programs, and I was on the Marine Ecology track. The opportunities to assist in research on mangrove restoration, invertebrate diversity, sea lion population trends and more was truly life-changing.
Once we were on the island, I woke up at 5:20 to assist in the sea lion census I did with two other students. This data was then compiled and given to the National Park and scientists working on understanding population dynamics. I'd then eat a huge breakfast, consisting of fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, eggs, toast, and fresh juice. After breakfast, we had three hours of class which would be broken up by breaks on the beach. Our afternoons were full of snorkeling with sea turtles and sea lions.
It was a great introduction to marine science, and a completely life-changing experience. Although the classes were in english, I was able to practice my spanish a lot with my host family.