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Winter Term, January 2027 to the Cook Islands (Rarotonga and Aitutaki) and French Polynesia (Mo'orea)
Winter Term, January 2027 to the Cook Islands (Rarotonga and Aitutaki) and French Polynesia (Mo'orea)
Info Session Monday March 30 at 4:30pm in GR-02 under Marine Science Building
OPEN TO ALL MAJORS
January, 2027
See Below for Application Info
See Global Ed Page for Application Form, Scholarships, and further information.
Application = 2 Steps
1) Complete Global Ed Application
2) Meet with at least one Faculty Leader.
If you are interested stop by our office (GMSL 133) or schedule a meeting (required to be considered for the program) with at least 1 faculty leader (Brooks and/or Larson), to discuss the trip, any questions you may have, and if interested get on the official potential participant list that we will be keeping in our office (GL-133, in Marine Sc. building).
Itinerary - Subject to Change
Winter Term, January 2027
On Campus Class Prior to Travel
Travel from Eckerd to Tahiti, French Polynesia
3-4 nights on Mo'orea French Polynesia:
Various activities experiencing terrestrial and marine environments, cultural connection to environments and role of modern science. Activities including but not limited to snorkeling, coral reef research/preservation, hiking with cultural and naturalist guides, and cultural activities.
Travel from Tahiti to Rarotonga Cook Island
~6 nights on Rarotonga
~3 nights on Aitutaki
Various activities experiencing terrestrial and marine environments, cultural connection to environments and role of modern science. Guided by Cook Island hosts throughout providing opportunities to discuss cultural connection to the environment and how they approach the future of the Cook Islands. Activities include but are not limited to visit with Government, Communities, and Research groups , coral reef research field methods, snorkeling, lagoon exploration, hiking, cultural experiences and life in the Cooks.
On Campus Class after Travel.
Course Description: A unique opportunity to explore the Cook Islands and French Polynesia. Students will explore the natural environment where Indigenous knowledge, community governance, and modern science intersect. Students will have an opportunity to learn about terrestrial and marine environments and how it is linked to the history and culture. First-hand observations studying the geology, biology, and oceanography of the unique environments of Pacific islands (Atolls). Evaluation will be based on participation, examination(s), a field journal, and a written paper.
This will be a rustic and physically active (and sometimes physically demanding) trip with activities on land and sea (snorkeling). Students will be fully immersed in the environment and cultures. Students must be open to experiencing new and different cultures and environments, maintaining a positive attitude, and ability to adapt to changing and unfamiliar environments and activities.
The Cook Islands is a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand comprised of 15 islands and a population of ~17,500 people.
French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France comprised of 121 islands/atolls and a population of ~200,000.
Course expectations include active participation, and group projects dealing with aspects of environments and culture. Grades will be based on participation, a field journal, exams, and a written report/oral presentation on the group project. Fulfills the Environmental Perspective
Cook Islands and French Polynesia formed from hot spots. Rarotonga (Cook Islands) and Mo'orea (French Polynesia) dominantly basalt islands with fringing reefs as initial stages of Atoll formation. Aitutaki (Cook Islands) "almost Atoll" as is in final stage of volcanic island subsidence (sinking) with a shallow lagoon enclosed by a reef.
Opportunity to see these unique geologic features and evolutionary stages of Atolls and associated terrestrial and marine environments.
Discussions with local Government, Communities, and Researchers on perspectives of cultural connection and importance of the "Marae Moana" or "Sacred Ocean" that is the world's largest multi-use marine park encompassing the entire EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) of the Cook Islands.
This includes past, present, and future of the Cook Islands including protection as well as resource management (fisheries, polymetallic nodules, tourism, etc.). Deep-sea Research of the seafloor provide context in discussions on deep sea mining as Cook Islands has significant resources of polymetallic nodules (contain critical minerals/elements, including cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, titanium, iron, and rare earth elements – used for battery production, renewable energy infrastructure, and other high-tech equipment).
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