Summer 2009 closed

May 14 – June 2, 2009

Sponsored by the Department of Zoology in the College of Natural Science

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Ever since Charles Darwin told the world of his Galápagos revelations, the Islands have been famous for their great numbers of endemic species – and for the profusion and tameness of many of the animals that live there.  Students will have almost unlimited opportunities to study the vertebrate and invertebrate animals of the Islands on land and at sea.  Snorkeling in clear waters will be a daily activity, enabling students to observe tropical marine invertebrates and fish in great diversity, sea turtles, sea lions, and penguins.  Treks on land will provide chances to see Darwin’s finches, marine iguanas, teaming flocks of coastal birds, and unique plants like tree cactuses.  Other premier activities will include hiking to a volcano top, beach visits, and all-day voyages to exceptional destinations such as Bartolomé Island.

Because this program is overwhelmingly a field course, most daylight hours will be spent outdoors, with plenty of latitude for each student to pursue individual scientific interests as well as directed goals.  Evening hours will be used for formal study of each day’s observations so the field work will be expanded and consolidated into a fuller understanding of organismal biology, evolution, and island ecosystems. 

The program is land-based.  Whereas you will sail on multiple days on the ocean, you will live in towns on three of the Galápagos Islands (San Cristóbal, Isabela, and Santa Cruz) – a great opportunity to experience the local Ecuadorian culture and gain first-hand knowledge of the conflicting tides of change in the modern Galápagos.  On the way to the Galápagos Islands, you will learn about the Ecuadorian context in Quito.

What can I study?

Students are required to enroll in six (6) credits in the following course:

ZOL 490

Study Abroad in Zoology

6 cr.

A mandatory program meeting will be held March 1, 2009 (7:30 pm to 9:00 pm).  All admitted students will be required to attend this meeting.  Following this first meeting, students should expect to attend three to four additional meetings prior to departure (2 hours each throughout the end of spring semester).

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

Students must be majors (or minors) in a science-related field and have seven credits in biological science (BS), zoology (ZOL) or related courses.  Students must also be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.8 at the time of application (meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission) and submit a supplemental application form that can be obtained from Professor Hill or the Office of Study Abroad.

Final acceptance into the program is based on an individual interview with Professor Hill.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

NOTE: This program requires regular, constant and sometimes demanding physical activity for full participation.  Snorkeling will be a required activity on most days.  Sound physical fitness and comfort in the water are required (although pre-existing knowledge of snorkeling skills is not).

Where will I live?

Participants will live in mid-range hotels in Quito and in the towns on San Cristóbal, Isabela, and Santa Cruz Islands.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Professor Richard Hill
Department of Zoology
302 Natural Science Bldg.
Phone: (517) 353-4603

Also, view the program's PowerPoint presentation here.

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.  It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee for 2009 is $3,041 and includes the following:

Additional costs not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $1,534 in 2009.  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including international airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

In addition to the usual sources of financial aid, the College of Natural Science may provide scholarship support.  Check with the Dean’s Office in the College of Natural Science for more information about scholarship eligibility.  In particular, the Jeffrey Boettcher Travel Fund administered by the Department of Zoology exists to help undergraduates participate in off-campus study of marine biology by providing modest financial assistance of up to $500.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.  The program also requires a supplemental application which can be obtained from Professor Hill or at the Office of Study Abroad in room 109 International Center.

Application review will begin December 1, 2008.  Please note that this review process begins well before the OSA summer program application deadline of March 1, 2009. We strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible as this program is expected to fill to capacity prior to the OSA deadline.  Although applications are due by March 1st, priority will be given to students who submit their application before February 1, 2009.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

What's next?
Come to a study abroad fair
Talk with a Peer Adviser
Read program evaluations
Attend an info meeting
Apply online
Additional Resources...
Office of Financial Aid	252 Student Services http://www.finaid.msu.edu
MSU Travel Clinic	East Circle Drive http://travelclinic.msu.edu
Academic Advisers	http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities	120 Bessey Hall http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
Area Studies Centers	International Center http://www.isp.msu.edu
MSU Global Access	Information about the world -- its regions and peoples and important international issues International Center http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/
OSA contact info:	Office of Study Abroad Michigan State University 109 International Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 Phone: (517) 353-8920 Fax: (517) 432-2082 Email: studyabroad@osa.msu.edu