SFS Chile: Wild Patagonia: Fire and Ice (Semester)
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About
Spend a semester amid the soaring peaks, massive glaciers, and narrow fjords of Patagonia, where the trails of Torres del Paine National Park become your classroom for research and field work. Embark on expeditions to the southernmost tip of South America and the volcanic lakes region of northern Patagonia to study climate change impacts, diverse ecosystems, and conservation in one of the world’s most iconic regions.
SFS students live and study at the Center for Climate Studies, located near the bustling port city of Puerto Natales – the gateway to the famous Torres del Paine National Park. This scenic city, surrounded by the jagged peaks of Cerro Benítez and the deep blue waters of the Señoret Channel, serves as your home base for expeditions throughout the region.
- Hike through the dramatic landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park, and take an expedition to neighboring Argentina and the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier.
- Cross the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost part of South America, where you’ll see penguin colonies and explore glacial fjords.
- Journey to northern Patagonia’s lakes region, home to the beautiful Valdivian forests, the active Calbuco and Osorno volcanoes, and massive blue whales.
- Develop field skills including: Species identification, biodiversity assessments, Spanish language, research design, data collection, scientific writing and presentation
- Conduct research in some of the following areas: Climate change resilience, glacial dynamics, ecological succession, penguin behavior, coastal and alpine ecology, national park management