4.7 - 140 Reviews

Round River Conservation Studies

https://www.roundriver.org/

Round River Conservation Studies is a program provider offering 6 abroad programs. Programs offered include Study Abroad and Research abroad programs in 6 countries such as United States, Belize, Chile, and Canada.

Round River Conservation Studies is a non-profit organization that offers students unique, field-based study abroad programs in North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. These programs vary from 6 week summer programs to full semester programs. Round River's courses are accredited through Westminster College, and students can earn up to 15 semester credits on our program.

The following aspects characterize a Round River program:

Small group size (5-10 students)
Field-based (students are camping for much or all of the semester)
Hands-on, interactive learning
Research (students conduct fieldwork and gain valuable research skills)
Cultural exchange (students often work alongside local people, and/or have opportunities to interact with the local community)

Round River is dedicated to conservation strategies that preserve and restore wild places; to that end, we strive to develop and support traditions that sustain wildness. These efforts are anchored in the principles of conservation biology, supported by field research and community planning.We take our name from Aldo Leopold’s essay Round River, along with the idea that ecological study enriches one’s personal land ethic.

Our programs bring students to remote places to conduct real research and contribute to real, local conservation efforts. These experiences enhance a student's sense of place, and allow students to work alongside Round River's conservation staff as well as our local community partners. This often involves a good dose of adventure, cultural exchange, and personal growth.

Study Abroad with Round River Conservation Studies

OVERALL RATING 4.7
Based on 140 Reviews
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Overall Experience
September 25, 2023
Past Review Tent City Backpacking In Valleys & On Glaciers With Some Of My Favorite People Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"I came away from the program with so many new friendships and a much deeper understanding of what it means to be a conservationist. Also, I learned how to be a more flexible and successful member of a community. "

Oberlin College
Past Review Amazing Views, Field Work Experience, And Interactions With Locals. Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"Language skill, field work experience, and yes it was entirely worthwhile"

Middlebury College
Past Review Awesome Conservation Experience Round River Conservation Studies - Botswana Program

"Learned how complex conservation is, how to use different tools to collect and enter data "

University of Vermont
Past Review A Wild Reality In Southern Chile, Patagonia. Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"Gained immense knowledge on how to traveling and how to let yourself become absorbed in a culture. I met incredible people that I will have in my life forever. "

University of New Hampshire
Past Review The Experience Of A Lifetime Round River Conservation Studies - Botswana Program

"I learned a variety of field biology skills, I learned how to grind and laugh through tough situations, I learned all about the wildlife of the Okavango, and I gained a whole bunch of close relationships. "

Middlebury College
Past Review A Life Changing And Immersive Outdoor Conservation Experiencee. Round River Conservation Studies - Botswana Program

"Too much to want to list everything here, but I'll name a few. A newfound love for natural history and conservation biology. A brief experience in a continent and country that was incredibly remote and abstract to me. A better ability to live outdoors for weeks and weeks at a time and to tolerate long travel days in tough condit..."

University of Montana-Missoula
Past Review Getting To Know The Real Patagonia Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"A deeper understanding of the complexities of conservation and new ways of looking at it as a scientific and social issue."

University of Vermont
Past Review Incredible People, Views, Culture, And Nature! Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"Field techniques, group dynamics, as well as cultural experience and travel experience"

Bowdoin College
Past Review A Crazy, Beautiful, Challenging Adventure Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"I grew out of a lot of anxiety and learned to deal with challenges as they came and adapt to ever-changing plans and conditions. Absolutely worthwhile, brought me to some of the most amazing places I will ever go and crazy experiences I will remember for a lifetime."

University of Vermont
Past Review An Incredible Combination Of Fieldwork And Engagement With The Local Community. Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"I gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of conservation and that other countries struggle with many of the same problems the United States struggles with. I loved the immersive projects in which we learned about and put into play economic, political, social, and environmental factors. "

University of Vermont
Past Review Unique Opportunity Exploring Natural History In Patagonia Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"I gained a remarkable understanding and interest in the natural history of Patagonia. I also learned and experienced the importance and difficulty of conservation planning in rural areas like Patagonia. My study abroad experience was incredibly worthwhile overall. "

Middlebury College
Past Review It Inspired Me To Pursue Being A Conservation Scientist! Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"I gained many valuable skills but mostly an appreciation for the outdoors and learned how to be more adaptable."

University of Vermont
Past Review Time Flies In Patagonia Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"I gained insights in my field of interest that I otherwise wouldn't have gained any other way. I found program, as a whole, was pretty gratifying/worthwhile but at times sometimes I felt that it wasn't simply because of some of the adverse conditions we happened to face. "

Westminster College, UT
Past Review An Awaking Of Existing Knowledge Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"I learned a lot about the ecosystem and myself."

Seattle University
Past Review Round River Patagonia Was One Of The Most Incredible Experiences Of My Life. Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"Absolutely, I'm certain the international, conservation, and field experience I gained there will stay with me for my entire life."

Carleton College
Past Review Amazing And Breathtaking Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"it was 100% worthwhile "

University of Vermont
Past Review Hands On, Experiential Conservation Adventuring In Chilean Patagonia Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"I feel like the program prepared me extremely well for doing future research in conservation biology. Not simply from academic knowledge, but having the experience of what it's like to spend months doing field research, of what it takes to prepare an expedition, of field research methods, etc."

Middlebury College
Past Review Unique Experience In An Incredible Place Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"I learned an immense amount about scientific fieldwork and cultural history. The experience redefined my notions of environmentalism and cemented my desire to pursue a career in the field. Additionally, it provided me with cultural knowledge to continue traveling in Chile and Bolivia for three months following the program. "

Westminster College, UT
Past Review Discovering Untouched Wilderness Amongst Local Adventurers Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"Learned a lot about myself, gained confidence in being independent and self sufficient. Realized bonds and keeping in touch are some of the most important parts of life. Very worthwhile."

University of Vermont
Past Review Good Bread, Good Meat, Good God Let's Eat Round River Conservation Studies - Patagonia, Chile Program

"Very formative...Some Spanish, some wildlife skills, a whole new breadth of perspective on the overlap between culture and ecology."

College of Saint Benedict and Saint Johns University
Past Review Amazing Wildlife, Once In A Lifetime Experience Round River Conservation Studies - Botswana Program

"I learned how to live and work in the field. I gained experience and skills in the field that I have already used to work in the USA as a wildlife tech intern. I also learned what it is like to work in conservation in Africa and the trials and rewards that come along with it. "

University of Alaska Fairbanks
Past Review A Paradigm Shift In Conservation And The Intersection With First Nations. Round River Conservation Studies - Taku River Watershed Program

"Lots of schemas and tactics for observing the interactions and cycling of an environment. Then applying these observations into systematic and helpful catalogues and introspections. "

Northland College
Past Review Truly Rewarding Learning Experience Abroad Round River Conservation Studies - Taku River Watershed Program

"I learned a lot from the Tlingit people and local people who work with the TRTFN about their connection to the land and the difficulties they face in the area and as native people in general. In addition, I learned to identify numerous plants, birds, and animals out in the field. This program is worthwhile as you not only learn..."

Colby College
Past Review One Of A Kind Study Abroad Experience Round River Conservation Studies - Taku River Watershed Program

"Absolutely worthwhile. I learned a lot about what direction I want to take the rest of my college career in, which is something even a college counselor may have trouble helping you with. I went into this program with no expectations at all and left Atlin knowing that if I did have any sort of expectations going in, it would hav..."

Westminster College, UT