Program Reviews

Peru was the first trip I've taken out of the continent and farthest I've traveled. I loved living on a riverboat over a century old and the faculty there were amazing. Our trip's lecturer kept the lessons interesting and all the biologist became good friends after the match. I will always remember the morning mist netting survey where we woke up before the sun and watched it rise as we left for the our spot. The mot mot and wood creeper we caught were so beautiful and wild I will always remember their spirit.

After getting off the plane, in Roseau Dominica, I had no idea what was to come. All I knew is that I was excited. I heard we were working with scientists but wasn't sure if it'd be more like a vacation then actually learning.

To my surprise, everything was great. Obviously, theres things we would all like to change about any experience but looking back I think it just what I needed. We had comfortable sleeping arrangements, we had authentic food, and beautiful scenery. I couldn't ask for anything better.

My favorite part was when we began to work with the scientists. They were so interesting! They all had their own story on how they got to where are and all had an immense passion for their work. That was truly inspirational. We also got to know them as people and they were really cool and knew how to make us all laugh.

Another favorite part was diving. I found a new passion of mine. It was incredible discovering a new world up close and in person. I know that in the future I'll definitely go on more diving adventures.

I can go on and on for how much I liked it, but if you're some one who craves adventure, and loves the outdoors, and is curious about nature. I cannot think of a better trip for you. This is FOR you.

I'm planning another trip with OpWall in the summer of 2017 as a research assistant to Croatia! I can't wait!

~Celia

Staying at Matesdroy was paradise. Where else in the world can you be relaxing in a hammock, enjoying the tranquillity and watching a group of Sifakas in the trees? The scenery was beautiful. The lake was like an oasis teeming with wildlife. The ability to disconnect from the rest of the world was refreshing, in stark contrast with the fast pace materialistic life full of distractions we generally live. Highly recommended for anyone, really.

I remember this trip, and the amazing people I met during my stay like it was last week.
To start with, just the sheer amount of wildlife and cutting-edge research that we were exposed to and allowed to contribute towards is second to none. I have never been on a trip before or since where I felt so immersed in such important and exciting science, whilst getting to see some of the most amazing creatures that I could only dream of seeing on a television screen before.
The people who worked on the course were some of the friendliest, upbeat and accommodating people I have met across the world. Each and every person had an interesting story to tell, and I really felt that these people were interested in us students as well which was so important in making us feel at home.
I am a keen photographer and came across endless opportunities with the wildlife that was nearby, and that was not phased by human presence either. I am just sad that I do not think I will be lucky enough to come across such spectacles again for a very long time.
As long as you are prepared to wash with buckets and use your imagination when it comes to a shower and toilet made with leaves, sticks, and a spade, you will be living the dream!

I thoroughly enjoyed my expedition to Madagascar with OpWall, a few of the many highlights of the trip included diving in Nosy Be and staying at Matsedroy. I feel that the staff and University students were friendly, helpful and well informed, ensuring that the trip ran smoothly. I would recommend the trip to any sixth form or University students who are looking for an extra curricular activity to broaden their outlook.

I gained significant ecological surveying experience during a course at Utila (Honduras). Where I worked as a research assistant for Operation Wallacea, and trained over a 6 week period in Caribbean reef ecology and surveying techniques. I also assisted a research team into tropical ecosystem ecology, conducting linear transects to survey bivalve and arthropod diversity within fallen mangrove material. I then helped investigate sea sponge diversity and distribution using fixed linear transects and quadrat sampling to survey reef systems. I concluded my trip by carrying out controlled culls and dissections of lionfish. By participating in various research roles I also became proficient in multiple sampling and analysis techniques, whilst integrating and performing effectively within a variety of research teams.

I went to Madagascar in the summer or 2016.
It was truly an amazing experience
The staff were helpful and accommodated my needs. This time made me think seriously about a career in conservation, and due to having such an amazing experience with Operation Wallacea I have decided to go out with them again, and I am off to Peru this summer!

I would highly recommend going with opwall, they are professional, fun, and made me feel completely at home in such an alien place!

There's nothing that can quite describe the excitement of waking up in the middle of the rainforest, slogging it through mud that'd make Glastonbury look like a sandbox, eat a gigantic bowl of rice only to bathe in a gently flowing river, and then journey off for a hike into the wilderness, on the search for wildlife!

The trip I went on was the very first mobile expedition to the north of Buton, which surveyed in the mountainous region there, and later on, in the nearby villages and coastline. At times, it felt like a whistle-stop tour through nature's jewellry box; the sun would carve beams into the canopy after a great tempest, the ocean would glitter and shine, the fish rippling like opals, the butterflies dancing in the roads and clearings... There honestly is no way to descrbe the beauty and adventure of living in such a remote region!

Every day, food is provided, and it's a delight for the culinary senses, which is made all the more incredible that locals cook it in the jungle, in jungle conditions! A lot of different biological professions were there, and you generally hang around with the biologist who has expertise in the area you're most interested in, but everyone stays together, and you can freely join a 'herp' walk, or help out measuring the pitch of bats echo-locating if you wish!

The locals that Opwall hired along the way were courteous and always ready to help! But the best part is sitting down, and trying your Indonesian; I came armed with but a preliminary bit of knowledge from a guidebook, and I often found I could make good conversation, especially given they were so keen to help out!

I personall don't think there's any better way to have such a *raw* experience of the jungle and of Indonesian culture firsthand than by joining a mobile team with Opwall. We were kindly invited down to the local village to witness the celebration marking the end of Eid, and the villagers' generosity was humbling, to say the least.

Of course, it's quite tough, living most of the time in a jungle environment, and you will probably come back with a few insect bites and scars from rattan, but here's where the medic becomes a lifesaver! Medication and general advice is always available, and if you do accidentally get a bit roughed up on a hike, trip or otherwise injure yourself, everyone pulls together to help out, so you're never left on your own!

If adventure's the goal, you couldn't do any better than Opwall; I personally feel a changed person after venturing to this little part of the world, and I assure you that by the end, four weeks won't have been enough time in the jungle (even if a bug-free environment beckons!).

We were on the herpetology survey, in the middle of the blazing Romania summer. It's over 30 degrees out in the open, and sweat is already starting to ooze down my back. I am armed with my trusty net and backpack full of jars and snacks. Having rounded a local on horseback towing a cart full of fresh milk, I see the lid of a drain. Many amphibians seek shelter from the fierce heat during the day and so avoid the worst of it, this could be an opportunity! My expert in the field, Simon, helps us lift the lid. Upon inspection the drain contains nothing, we straighten up and begin to move on, but wait! I spot a reflection down below. It is a common toad, squatting on the edge. Between myself and Simon we capture it and record the data. Day well spent.

This summer, 2016, I went on this research expedition via my school to Samos and Lipsi islands in the Aegean sea near Turkey. I was not sure of what to expect per se but I was very satisfied with the trips I was part of over the Island of Samos. I first took part in a chameleon survey one night on which we were told the rarity of them and the importance of species conservation which I am very interested in.

I also took part in an insect survey which was great as this was done at night, same with the jackal survey which was very scary! Especially when we actually heard the reply of the packs of jackals roaming around us in the foresty area when we played the stock jackal sound.

Aside from the deep sea diving course which was great, as well as gaining a certified qualification, these trips to scour the island were really enlightening for me, and the classes we went on really opened my mind to the bigger picture of species conservation all over the Galapagos of islands.