Tropical Conservation Semester

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!