Studying BioAnthro at UCSD by going away

There are a lot of opportunities for students to study abroad. Doing so gives one firsthand experience with other peoples/cultures/ecologies; such experience used to be considered THE requirement for being a well-educated person (the whole "European tour" thing during the 19th century). For BioAnthro majors, it is obvious that if you want to see what nonhuman primates are like in their own habitats, it is going to mean going abroad to some sort of field school etc.

Why go abroad?

It's, well, broadening. It will be a foundational experience for you no matter what career path you take.
If you are thinking about a career in something that requires living abroad (especially in "the field"), such as primatology, then it really behooves you to try it out before you devote years of your life to that goal. There are plenty of stories of graduate students, years into their PhD program, finally actually arriving in a tropical forest and discovering that they get hives in the humidity, or can't handle finding snakes in their shoes, or whatever. I know of one student who lasted less than 36 hours at a site in Uganda. It happens, and you can't know until you try. First, think carefully about it (have a look at primatologist Kevin Hunt's description of fieldwork to see what to think about). Then, if you can, go to a fieldschool and see how you really like it.
If you like it out there and want to pursue that path, reference letters from people who've taught you in the field carry a lot of weight, for field-related programs.

Why NOT go abroad?

It's expensive. BUT many programs offer scholarships.
It conflicts with prerequisites and sequences, just doesn't FIT into many majors. THIS is a real issue, but remember:
- it is becoming common to stay in college more than 4 years; if you can afford the money [see above] then don't sweat the time so much (now you KNOW this is not an official UC website ;-)
- UCSD is increasingly trying to encourage students to go abroad. This means that UC-sponsored programs abroad are starting to think in terms of offering courses that fit breadth requirements etc. better, and we are willing to look for ways to make it work, rather than how to block your plans.
- in anthro at least, up to 5 of your elective courses can be taken elsewhere; petitions can sometimes increase this by a course or two.

Bottom line, it's a pretty good thing to consider!

I will add to the following links as I get time and think of them; if you have a recommendation (positive or negative) about any of these that you'd be willing to share (either signed or not) please send it to me and I will set up a feedback page. And if you know other programs, please send them to me. I know this is missing many, consider this page "under construction" for now...

UCSD Programs Abroad This is the starting place for UCSD students to see what's offered out there.
Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation Summer field courses in primate ecology, cultural ecology, ethnobotany and a variety of other subjects, at Bocas del Toro Biological Station in Panama. In 2001, cost is $1,500 for 4-week summer course, $1,200 for 3-week winter; include tuition, room, board etc.
School for International Training Wide variety of courses in nearly every country you can think of. Many include homestay experiences, and for getting a feel for a culture while earning UC-approved credits, this is hard to beat. Note also in some cases there are substantial scholarships available (e.g., the Freeman Foundation thinks more Americans should know about Asian languages and cultures, so they provide grants to support students in China, Vietnam and Mongolia).
Student Conservation Association The SCA has internships in a wide variety of fields, including archaeology, wildlife, environmental education, etc. This one involves you working 40-hour weeks for 12-16 week or 6-12 month positions. You can get up to $4,700+ for college via AmeriCorps funding (restrictions apply to California internships, sorry...). College credit appears to be negotiable via internship programs (i.e., for UCSD it can probably be done, via petition, with a little planning). So earn money, do good, and get credit... [OK, this isn't "abroad"; it's USA.]
School for Field Studies This is (according to their website anyhow) the oldest and largest of the fieldschool brokers; emphasis is on environmental issues (broadly defined). Credit and scholarships available.
Earthwatch Institute This one is a little different. The Institute funds individual researchers, and then coordinates volunteers who pay to help out with the research for short visits (I think most are about 2 weeks). I don't know if any scholarships are available, and credit would not normally be obtained. On the other hand, it is an opportunity to participate in field research without prior experience. You can (a) find out if you can cope with leaches, and (b) meet and work with some fairly prominent scientists (Birute Galdikas has worked with Earthwatch for years in her orangutan project). If you're looking for an entry point and have the money to do it, this is a very useful route.

Back to BioAnthro at UCSD

Created 4/24/01

UCSD Programs Abroad	This is the starting place for UCSD students to see what's offered out there.
Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation	Summer field courses in primate ecology, cultural ecology, ethnobotany and a variety of other subjects, at Bocas del Toro Biological Station in Panama. In 2001, cost is $1,500 for 4-week summer course, $1,200 for 3-week winter; include tuition, room, board etc.
School for International Training	Wide variety of courses in nearly every country you can think of. Many include homestay experiences, and for getting a feel for a culture while earning UC-approved credits, this is hard to beat. Note also in some cases there are substantial scholarships available (e.g., the Freeman Foundation thinks more Americans should know about Asian languages and cultures, so they provide grants to support students in China, Vietnam and Mongolia).
Student Conservation Association	The SCA has internships in a wide variety of fields, including archaeology, wildlife, environmental education, etc. This one involves you working 40-hour weeks for 12-16 week or 6-12 month positions. You can get up to $4,700+ for college via AmeriCorps funding (restrictions apply to California internships, sorry...). College credit appears to be negotiable via internship programs (i.e., for UCSD it can probably be done, via petition, with a little planning). So earn money, do good, and get credit... [OK, this isn't "abroad"; it's USA.]
School for Field Studies	This is (according to their website anyhow) the oldest and largest of the fieldschool brokers; emphasis is on environmental issues (broadly defined). Credit and scholarships available.
Earthwatch Institute	This one is a little different. The Institute funds individual researchers, and then coordinates volunteers who pay to help out with the research for short visits (I think most are about 2 weeks). I don't know if any scholarships are available, and credit would not normally be obtained. On the other hand, it is an opportunity to participate in field research without prior experience. You can (a) find out if you can cope with leaches, and (b) meet and work with some fairly prominent scientists (Birute Galdikas has worked with Earthwatch for years in her orangutan project). If you're looking for an entry point and have the money to do it, this is a very useful route.