A Trip To Galapagos Research Paper

Studying abroad allows me to set out on an enormous adventure to experience a new culture and study biology in the very same spot as one of the world’s most famous influential scientists, Charles Darwin. I chose to participate in the Field Biology Capstone on the Galapagos Islands because of the unique wildlife, history, and opportunities that make a trip to the Galapagos unparalleled. This experience will enable me to grow in a number of ways and learn many skills and lessons that simply can’t be taught here in Iowa. For starters, I have wanted to go to the Galapagos since I first learned about Charles Darwin’s voyage in my 10th grade biology class, and I believe that there is absolutely no better way to experience these island than to be learning about them with a UNI professor and other experts. By having these experts with our group, I will be able to learn so much more and gain many more skills because they will be around to point and explain significant wildlife and history to me and the
rest of the group. Additionally, these instructors will teach us many skills that are necessary for studying in the Galapagos and will be able to help in our studies back home. For example, I will have reading and projects to complete over our time of travel to help me put together a final project at the end of the course. This research I perform will help me when completing my future undergraduate research for my Honors thesis, and the background knowledge that I gain about evolution, environmental tourism, ecology and more will be extremely advantageous for my future courses and career. Secondly, I am getting my teaching endorsement here at UNI, and I firmly believe that this experience will help me to be a better future educator. One reason I think this is because I will be able to tell my students stories about all the many adventures I had abroad. This will give me a fantastic way to really engage the students in lessons that relate to biological topics I encounter in the Galapagos because personal stories always seem to really catch student’s attention. Also, this venture is bound to be influential in my schooling, and I believe an experience like this will only heighten my passion for the biological sciences. This passion will empower me to be a better more inspiring teacher because my increased excitement about the topics is sure to shine through onto my teachings, and the best teachers are usually those who are the most passionate about what they teach. Lastly, the Honors component of my journey will help me to think a little bit more about culture as opposed to the biology the trip will mainly be focused on. By looking at the culture, I will be able to really observe how the people live and think about life compared to my typical American viewpoint. I believe that intentionally trying to learn and appreciate the culture will give me a new understanding about what I value as well as how I live. Also, a new cultural understanding will be very beneficial for me at UNI and in my future career because if will allow me to be more open to new people and help me to interact with them in a way that makes both of us feel comfortable and cared for. An understanding of various cultures in very necessary as a teacher trying to reach students of many backgrounds as well as basically any job in this melting pot that is America.
Studying abroad will allow me to experience a culture completely different to what I am used to and grow in many ways.
This experience will give me a chance to learn and practice biological skills in one of the most unique places on Earth. The wildlife, environment, and history of the Galapagos will be able to teach me so many things about biology and life that I simply cannot study here in Iowa. Additionally, my experiences on this trip will provide me with fantastic stories to tell in an attempt to engage my future students, and the unique setting and fascinating lessons are sure to only increase my passion for the life sciences. Lastly, the contrasting culture will inspire me to look at the world in a different way and it will enable me to be more accepting and helpful to those of varying cultures. I have been craving another travel experience since I returned from my last semester abroad, and I am beyond excited to make the most out of my opportunities on the
Galapagos.