An Unforgettable Journey of Growth, Exploration, and Conservation February 09, 2025

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The experiential learning aspect was outstanding, offering hands-on exposure to conservation and biodiversity. Getting to learn field methods out in the forest or in the ocean is an incredibly and unique experience. However, the academic rigor was inconsistent, and standardized exams did not always account for varying student backgrounds (particularly with French as everyone comes in at different skill levels), but the Academic Director ensured that final grades were adjusted to meet students where they were - so nearly everyone received an A. Coursework was engaging but not overly demanding. We rarely had homework outside of studying for the final language exams and preparing our ISP research projects or internships.

On-site administration of your program

The on-site staff were incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and dedicated to student well-being. They provided a seamless experience, ensured safety, and offered valuable cultural insights. Their attentiveness made a significant impact on my overall experience, and I miss them so much!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living with a host family was a highlight, providing a deep cultural immersion and a strong support system. The accommodations were comfortable and safe, though adjusting to different living conditions and shared spaces required some flexibility. I adored my host family, so establishing that connection really helps. Not every accommodation is the same, particularly in regards to having wifi or a shower / hot water, but all students adjust and become relatively comfortable with how life is here!

The meals were diverse and exceeded expectations. My host family was accommodating, and meals became an opportunity for cultural exchange. Adjusting to different food safety considerations took some time, but overall, it was a great experience. At the program center, lunch alternates between traditional malagasy dishes with rice and more American non-rice based dishes (such as pasta or taco-like dishes) every other day. There are also snacks provided in the morning and afternoon (usually sweet). Breakfast depends on the family but is generally a baguette with butter and jam, and dinner is rice-based dishes. I am vegetarian and had a wonderful host family that took great care of me. I loved all of the food! The only problem I had was eating out as meat is expensive, and therefore, if someone can afford to eat out, it is expected that they want meat. Vegetarian (and selective eating in general) is not widespread here, so it can be difficult to find options out that are a full meal, but eating at home or cooking myself was never an issue!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program encouraged engagement with the local community through homestays and excursions, but language barriers and cultural differences made deeper integration challenging at times. As a white female, there is also some objectification, but I never felt in danger. Making an effort to interact and use Malagasy helped build connections. The locals and children always loved talking to us.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The program ensured access to clean water and safe food, reducing health risks. While I did not require medical care, resources were readily available, and staff were proactive in addressing concerns. All students who went to the hospital or bought medication while in country were able to cover it with the program insurance. Vaccines were required (typhoid, yellow fever recommended, rabies recommended), and basic precautions helped maintain well-being. Malaria medication should also be bought and taken daily! I did not have any side effects from mine besides needing to take it with food (or risk a stomach ache), but anyone who did have side effects just had sensitivity to sun and a little extra tiredness.

Overall, I felt safe, especially with the guidance of program staff and host families. However, caution was necessary in certain areas, particularly at night. Catcalling was common for me and other women on the program but manageable, and being mindful of surroundings was important.

I would absolutely choose to do this all over again. This program provided an unparalleled opportunity to study biodiversity conservation in a region where it is critically important. The hands-on fieldwork, cultural immersion, and unique challenges pushed me to grow academically, professionally, and personally in ways no other program could have. Beyond the subject area, there is no other program that encourages personal growth and resilience like this one does. There is so much to overcome and accept as you realize what living in a third world country is really like. Perspective changes. New ideas blossom. It's not something that can be replicated anywhere else.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

There were very few external expenses in the program. On the weekends, we could choose to not eat with our homestays and receive a stipend, which was typically not enough to cover everything. However, food is very cheap, and at most, I maybe spent $4 more to cover a meal. Just to really describe the situation, I chose to take my entire host family (including the extended relatives and helpers for a total of 8 people) to dinner at an incredibly fancy very nice restaurant getting whatever they wanted, and it cost less than $75. Especially when we did group meals at the program center, we rarely went over budget. My ISP was what went the most over budget as I chose to go somewhere very remote and hard to access, and hotel and transport costs added up. However, there are many ways to avoid this and most students stayed well within budget.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

At the program center and within the group, we spoke English. We spoke french with our host families, though, and most guest lecturers also presented in french. We used Malagasy when interacting with locals outside of the classroom, such as when buying groceries or visiting shops.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• The experiential learning approach was incredible
• Conducting research in the field, engaging with local conservationists, and exploring Madagascar’s unique ecosystems made learning immersive and impactful
• The relationships I built with my host family, peers, and program staff also made the experience unforgettable

• The academic advising before arrival could be more responsive and informative.
• Additionally, more structured support for final projects could improve the experience.
• More connections to mentors for independent projects and research could also be helpful as many struggled to find someone to work with or the equipment needed to pursue what they were interested in (particularly when it comes to marine ecosystems ecology and applications of microbiology/biochemistry in biodiversity conservation)

The Academic or Linguist