Program Reviews

This program offers education and field experience in diverse ecosystems, making it the perfect opportunity to explore your interests in conservation. The opportunities to design, execute, and analyze field research under the close mentorship of course instructors were not only pivotal learning experiences that prepared me for post-grad; they were also unbelievably fun! Tracking monkeys through the Amazon, swimming with sea lions in the Galapagos, and exploring nature all with the purpose of learning how to protect it is truly an unparalleled and rewarding experience.

Ceiba is a nonprofit organization that has a lot of conservation projects underway that uplift local communities, in addition to their study abroad programs. I was fascinated to see what real conservation looks like in practice, and to consider how socioeconomic factors play a role in conservation strategies.

This program exceeded my expectations! Our experience was filled with immersive field work, hands-on lab experience, and insightful collaborations amongst rural and urban community members. This trip emphasized producing sustainable and tangible methods for water quality improvements in rural Ecuador as well as bridging connections across cultural and language barriers! This trip was an awesome experience jam packed with learning, site-seeing, and fun new connections! I'm so thankful to have been a part of this study abroad program!

Water for Life was a wonderful experience that not only allowed me to develop my Spanish skills, but allowed me to work closely with some of the most amazing teaching staff I have ever met! They made me feel safe and encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone for the whole trip! I gained invaluable experience doing community-based research in rural regions of Ecuador that I have been able to bring home and compare to the systems in the United States. Studying Global Health has been one of the greatest privileges of my academic experience!

My water for life Ecuador trip was one of the best experiences of my life. The hikes were beautiful and the people were all really nice and passionate about their jobs. The academics were fascinating and I learned a lot. Collaborating with local universities also allowed me to make some really cool connections. I was also able to get some quality Spanish speaking practice in. Overall the trip was a great balance between different social and academic aspects, as well as getting to explore the beautiful country of Ecuador.

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.

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.

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!