Round River Conservation Studies
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Round River Conservation Studies is a program provider offering 5 abroad programs. Programs offered include Study Abroad and Research abroad programs in 5 countries such as Mongolia, Costa Rica, 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
"It was very worthwhile. I learned so much about the field of conservation doing hands on work, as well as the natural history of the area. "
Zach Fritz St. John's University
"Yes, it gave me direction for future jobs and showed me what kind of research I'm interested in. It broadened my perspective, stretched me out of my comfort zone, taught me about Botswana's culture, and opened my eyes to a lifestyle drastically different to the common North American lifestyle. "
Kristie Weeks University of Montana-Missoula
"Cultural immersion, Spanish practice, and community engagement were worthwhile."
A student Middlebury College
"How to work with a tight-knit field research community and the importance of teaching local people conservation practices. Most definitely worthwhile."
A student Colby College
"I think my biggest take-away from the program was getting real field experience in conservation biology- the discipline that I'm majoring in. We spent more than a month in the field in remote parts of Patagonia collecting data, which was challenging, fun, and exciting. I'll also take away an appreciation for the local Gaucho cul..."
Will Greene Middlebury College
"My experience abroad was completely worthwhile. I gained valuable field research skills and learned about the challenges of conservation work. I also made life long friends and joined the supportive and caring community that is Round River."
Emma H University of Maine - Orono
"I learned an incredible amount of detail about local species of plants and animals, and also a lot about the complexity and necessity of planning well for large, long-term group expeditions. It was absolutely worthwhile and the skills and knowledge I gained there will serve me for a lifetime."
Kadin Woolever Carleton College
"I learned a lot of field skills, but I also learned how to live and work with a small group of people for long periods of time. I gained a lot of confidence in myself. Studying abroad challenges you, but Round River supports you. "
Shelby S Franklin & Marshall College
"This program gave me valuable experience in fieldwork as well as a deeper understanding of how conservation can be put into practice by combining research, community involvement, and government leadership."
Katherine G University of New Hampshire
"We learned real field work and were able to present our findings to local government officials giving us experience with science communication as well. These experiences will be incredibly valuable for me in the future. "
Henry Dodge Colby College
"I learn about the Tlingit Indigenous people and their connection to the land in relation to conservation biology. Being able to help contribute to life changing conservation efforts was worthwhile. "
Aliza Chavez Northland College
"I learned an incredible amount about the ecology and natural history of the area. I also learned a lot about what field studies include and some methods around them. Another huge aspect of this course was learning about the Tlingit First Nation People and their rich history. There are so many things that I learned on this cou..."
Joe Gallucci University of Vermont
"So much field experience, between plants, mammals and birds. All skills that my future employers are looking for"
Esther Daranciang Westminster College, UT
"From this experience I was able to gain a sense of self, physical conditioning and new friends. This experience was completely worthwhile. I was able to persevere - just when I thought I couldn't go on, I found that I was so near to the top. So I would push through, reach the top of the mountain, and see that all of the hard wor..."
Morgan Brown Weber State University
"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. "
Maggie Oberlin College
"Language skill, field work experience, and yes it was entirely worthwhile"
A student Middlebury College
"Totally worthwhile, gained invaluable experience and memories I will cherish forever "
Brenna Lindsey University of Vermont
"Learned how complex conservation is, how to use different tools to collect and enter data "
Stacie wright University of Vermont
"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. "
Julie Hamilton University of New Hampshire
"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. "
Ben Borgmann-Winter Middlebury College
"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..."
John Potenberg University of Montana-Missoula
"We learned different field skills (everything from measuring river slope to identifying birds), outdoor skills (jungle navigation and camp cooking), and academic skills (reading and writing scientific papers). Plus, we experienced the culture and natural history of the Osa Peninsula and made some great friendships. A very wor..."
Carolina May The College of William and Mary
"A deeper understanding of the complexities of conservation and new ways of looking at it as a scientific and social issue."
A student University of Vermont
"Field techniques, group dynamics, as well as cultural experience and travel experience"
A student Bowdoin College
"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."
Allison Summerly University of Vermont
