Image courtesy of Quincy Dowling ’23.
Major(s), minors, centers, pathways:
Biological Sciences major, Cellular and Molecular Concentration
Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment
What program are you enrolled in?
IES Abroad Galapagos Direct Enrollment — through the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) Galapagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (GAIAS) Semester Program
What made you choose this program?
I knew I wanted to study abroad somewhere where I could learn something in Biology and Environmental Science that I couldn’t learn in New London. At first, I considered going to someplace in Europe where I would be able to travel around to many different countries during the semester, but I decided instead to go for a program where I would be fully immersed in a more remote, unique place and really grow to understand and appreciate everything that place has to offer. The Galápagos is not an easy place to travel to, and it’s even more difficult to find opportunities to live here for an extended period of time. I was really excited to choose this program because of the incredible opportunities it offers for a biology student to learn about ecology and evolution in one of the most unique biological environments in the world. On top of getting to live on a remote island for three months, this program also takes us for two weeks to the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Yasuní National Park (in mainland Ecuador). This is one of the most biodiverse regions of the Amazon rainforest! This is the perfect opportunity for me to see firsthand everything I have been learning in the classroom for the past three years.
How have you adjusted to life?
I have had to adjust to speaking conversational Spanish when interacting with anyone from the island. My classes are fully in English and most of my classmates are from the United States, but I am still surrounded by Spanish every day. The food has also been an adjustment! Rice is a huge staple of most meals, and fruits and vegetables are pretty limited because we are on an isolated island. I’m also a person who is used to being busy all the time; I’ve had to get used to “island time” and being ready to go with the flow whenever!
Were there any clichés that were proven true or false?
We were warned before coming that it would be more difficult to find certain goods and foods when we came here. This is true to an extent, but we have been able to find almost everything we need. Some products are just more expensive, but you can find them!
What is your housing situation? What is that like?
I am staying with a host family! My host parents are in their mid-thirties and they don’t have any kids or pets. My host mom can speak a little bit of English which is really nice because I have only taken two semesters worth of Spanish. We live right next to another family that is hosting my friend Meara Burns, who also goes to Conn! I have my own bedroom and bathroom which is really nice, but I have to be careful because the tap water is not safe to drink. I get breakfast and dinner from my family and I have to take care of my own lunch. I am so grateful for getting to have the experience of living with local Ecuadorians!
What is a typical day like? Is it similar to Conn at all?
My usual day here is very different from my life at Conn. I walk to school every day, which takes about 25 minutes, but it’s a nice walk through the town. I get glimpses of the ocean along the way! I have class most days at 9 am for 2-3 hours, and then I have the rest of the day free. We have at least one field trip per week, either just a short trip nearby or a day trip somewhere. We have also had a few overnight trips. After class, we head across the street to a local restaurant for lunch, where we can get our whole meal for $4! If I have homework to do, I’ll sit outside the school on the patio and alternate between doing work and running across the street to the beach and jumping in the ocean. If I don’t have work, my friends and I will go snorkeling, play soccer, go hiking or relax on the beach. My friends and I usually start walking home around sunset and watch the sun go down over the harbor. Compared to my life at Conn, I feel like I have a much slower pace of life and I have a lot more time to enjoy the little things and take in everything around me.
How has the pandemic affected your program? Did it affect your choices when applying?
The economy of the Galápagos is very dependent on tourism, so the effects of the pandemic are still being felt heavily. Everyone was very happy that the program could finally run again this year. The access to healthcare and the resources available at hospitals are much more limited here, so there is still a lot of concern surrounding the prevention of covid outbreaks. Luckily, we spend a huge portion of our time outside, where spread is minimal. We still have to wear masks in class, but it feels like a small price to pay to be able to be here in this beautiful location. Also, more than 90% of locals here are vaccinated!
I originally wanted to study abroad in New Zealand because of the incredible universities and the amazing ecosystems and wildlife that are found there. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible for me to go to New Zealand during my junior year because of their travel restrictions. I am glad that it didn’t work out because otherwise, I wouldn’t have found this program in the Galápagos!
Are you involved in anything outside of classes?
There are not any clubs or organizations here because this is just a small extension of the USFQ campus. Our program does its best to provide activities for us to interact with the local community, such as doing beach cleanups, helping with English lessons for local students, and taking salsa (dance) lessons.
What is the best part of abroad for you?
The best part of studying abroad for me has been being surrounded by other students who share the same passion for biology and learning about the environment as me. Sharing these common interests with my peers makes the classes, field trips, and daily adventures on the island infinitely more fun!
What is the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge has been the lack of reliable internet and cellular connection on the islands. Even the wifi network at our school is unreliable. There are a lot of areas as well that don’t have any cellular connection. We do our best to download what we can and use the wifi when there are fewer people around, but we still end up having to use cellular data for both our school work and communicating with friends, family, and professors from back in the states. This has been a tough adjustment, but it has also been good to disconnect from our phones and enjoy the outdoors!
What advice would you give to people preparing to go away?
It’s okay to not feel prepared!! I was so nervous before coming about not being able to speak Spanish very well and not knowing a lot about the culture of the place where I would be living, but learning more about those things when I got here was all part of the experience. You and the other students in your program will bond over having to navigate these new experiences together. Learning how to adjust to change and being okay with not feeling “prepared” was a really valuable life lesson.
If you are on the fence about whether you want to go abroad, I would absolutely recommend going for it! I had to plan my courses at Conn carefully to make it work for completing all my requirements, but it was so worth it. It is an amazing experience to live in another country and gain an international perspective on your academic discipline. Finding the right program that matches your academic and extracurricular interests is key. Spend a good amount of time researching different universities and programs, but don’t be afraid to go out on a limb with a program that provides experiences that you can’t get anywhere else.
