Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation

Why choose Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation?

The Ceiba Foundation is a nonprofit conservation organization that seeks to connect people and nature, saving tropical species and habitats while helping communities improve their lives and livelihoods. We focus on Ecuador's coastal forest and orchid-rich mountains, two of the most threatened and diverse ecosystems on Earth. Our approach keeps land in local hands by emphasizing conservation easements and financial incentives to promote sustainable land stewardship. Our study abroad programs give students the unique opportunity to conduct hands-on fieldwork that contributes to tropical conservation, and the programs are all accredited by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Website

ceiba.org

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Reviews

I finished my Tropical Conservation Semester (TCS) back in 2017 and had such a great experience. In fact, I enjoyed my time so much that I went back and worked with Ceiba at Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve during graduate school in 2022. During the TCS Semester, after learning about tropical ecosystems in the classroom, we were then able to explore them in person. The diversity of ecosystems in Ecuador is also incredible, from the high Paramo to the Amazon to the Galapagos Islands. I saw so many cool animals, with favorites being the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Galapagos Penguin, Marine Iguanas, and Spectacled Bear. Additionally, I lived with two host families over my semester, and this provided a great way to solidify my Spanish. I also enjoyed learning more about Ecuadorian culture with the two families. Lastly, the other students in the TCS semester were fantastic. We became a tight knit group that supported each other as we were adjusting to life in Ecuador.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

I ate small ants in the Amazon that tasted like lemon. Don't worry - a local guide showed me what I could eat.

Pros

Unbelievable diversity of tropical wildlife and ecosystems
Amazing staff from Ceiba to teach and support
Experience life in Latin American Country

Cons

Group of students tend to speak more English with each other if learning Spanish is your main goal

My semester-long study abroad experience in Ecuador with the Ceiba Foundation was absolutely transformational for me. The experience changed the way I see the world and my place in it. What's more, Cath and Joe really shone a light on the role I could play as a global citizen and environmental steward. Even 10 years out of the program, it remains one of the highlights of my entire life. I met people who remain my best friends to this day and got to live, study, and work in some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet–from the bushwhacking in depths of the Amazon Rainforest to snorkeling with the abundant marine life in the Galapagos Islands.

Ceiba is not only doing important conservation work on the ground, they're also empowering future next generations of conservation leaders and working in tandem with local communities. Words truly cannot even come close to expressing the profound impact they've had on my life.

What was your funniest moment?

During our weeks-long stint at Tiputini Biodiversity Station, we did a LOT of hiking and wildlife observation. One day, a group of us students were out with a local guide who worked there. We spotted some monkeys moving through the trees. I walked over to get a better view. I was looking straight up at them with my binoculars, and all of a sudden something splatted on my face. I was a little stunned, didn't know what had happened. The guide started literally rolling around on the ground laughing–I had been pooped on by a monkey! He said in his 10 years of doing this work, he'd never seen it. happen. All of my friends were losing it too, and I couldn't stop laughing for days afterwards either. It was an experience I'll never forget. Luckily it wasn't too messy :p

Pros

Got to be immersed in some stunningly beautiful places with abundant and diverse flora and fauna
The curriculum taught me so much about the ecosystems and the beautiful web of life connecting us all
Joe and Cath put SO much planning into the program. The experience was seamless for us, we never had to fret about any logistics.

This is a great program! I learned so much about conservation biology, ecology, botany, and more! I had lots of opportunities to learn and practice Spanish as well. I got to see so many amazing places, like the Amazon rainforest, cloud forests, the Andes mountains, and the Galápagos islands. My semester in Ecuador with Ceiba really inspired me to pursue a career in conservation, which I am now doing post-graduation. I highly recommend this program to other students interested in conservation biology!