SFS Study Abroad: Tropical Island Biodiversity in Panama

What separates SFS from other study abroad program providers?

SFS is focused on building meaningful connections between our students and the natural world. We are the most prominent environmental studies study abroad provider in the United States and we have been providing experiential learning for over thirty-two years (15,000+ alumni).

We operate from seven program centers throughout the world and will be expanding our operations in the near future. We are dedicated to a rigorous interdisciplinary approach to environmental studies and our students get to perform meaningful research that benefits the local people in the countries in which we share a home.

Did YOU study abroad?

I studied abroad twice: in London with a Michigan State University study abroad program and again the following year in Costa Rica with The School for Field Studies. I found SFS to be foundational in the way I think about my life as a member of the planet and it strongly influenced much of my professional development.

A recent report suggested that up to 50% of incoming freshman stated that they intended to study abroad during college, but then only 3% actually did. What’s going on here?

Interesting. Most of our sending institutions have a significant portion of their students studying abroad – some as high as 60% of all enrolled undergraduate students. There is little reason why every undergraduate student should not have the opportunity to study abroad – the opportunities to do so are so numerous. Perhaps students don’t know of the great programs that exist for them; programs like SFS that attracts students who are serious learners that want a sense of adventure along with deep learning both inside and outside of the classroom.

Which country do you think is an underrated study abroad destination? Conversely, do you think there is a country which is overrated?

I don’t believe that any country is under or overrated. I think there are some countries that are under visited. For example, we just opened a new program on island biodiversity in the Panamanian Caribbean because too few students have had the advantage to study in this most dynamic of natural places. As far as being over visited, I would say England or Italy – students need to get out of the cities and visit wild places more. They need to come to SFS.

There is little reason why every undergraduate student should not have the opportunity to study abroad – the opportunities to do so are so numerous.