Sustainability Travel Study

About the Course

Due to a combination of global climate change and human land use intensification, island nations in the Caribbean are grappling with a unique set of challenges in the 21st century. Low agricultural productivity, declining fresh water access, and emerging threats to human and environmental health (e.g., invasive species and infectious disease in marine and terrestrial ecosystems) affect the basis for social and economic development, particularly in countries with economies reliant on nature-based tourism. Meanwhile, misplaced societal priorities regarding sustainable development and conservation exacerbate the conditions leading to socioeconomic vulnerability. The solutions to these intractable problems lie in interdisciplinary natural science, social science, and engineering research efforts. This course uses Eleuthera, Bahamas, a subtropical island ecosystem, as a case study to explore natural and cultural dimensions of sustainability and conservation and scientific innovations to promote resilient ecosystems and society in a developing country under stress due to climate change and human activities. The class size of this Research Learning Experience designated-course is limited to 12 students with application-based enrollment. 3 credits.

Watch students from the January 2018 class present about their study abroad experiences in the Bahamas at the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions here!

Course Format

During the Fall semester, the class will hold six, two-hour pre-trip meetings to orient you to the study abroad portion of the course. These meetings tentatively are scheduled for Wednesday from 5:00-7:00pm, October 26 - December 7, 2022. Over winter break, we will visit The Island School at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera, Bahamas from January 3 - 15, 2023. At The Island School, you will experience firsthand the challenges and tradeoffs of sustainable living, staying in communal dorm rooms with all electricity generated, food produced, and fresh water harvested on-site. In collaboration with instructors, researchers, and community members at the Cape Eleuthera Institute and in nearby settlements, you will spend one immersive week participating in ongoing marine conservation, sustainable agriculture, and engineering research at the Cape Eleuthera Institute. You then will have the opportunity to pursue study of a topic of personal interest in depth by conducting an individual research project on a selected aspect of sustainability and conservation in island ecosystems, culminating in a final presentation and report.

I’m Interested! How Do I Apply?

The course is limited to 12 students who will be selected by a competitive application process. We will give first preference to incoming sophomores, particularly those who have had limited opportunity for international travel, followed by juniors, seniors, first-years, graduate students, and non-degree students enrolling through the Division of Lifelong Learning. Students from all backgrounds and majors are welcome to apply; we are seeking to bring together a diverse group of natural and social scientists. To apply for the course, please fill out the Google Form HERE. For full consideration, applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm on April 15. After that, applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns!

FAQs

What does my course fee cover? Are there any extra or hidden costs?

The course fee of ~$3,200 covers the flight from Logan Airport in Boston to Rock Sound Airport in Eleuthera, Bahamas; lodging and meals at The Island School in Eleuthera; day trip registration fees and meal costs; and international travel insurance. On top of the course fee, all students will need to enroll in the Divers Alert Network for an additional cost of $35. This is to cover air evacuation to Florida in the case of a medical emergency (note that "Divers Alert Network" is just the name of the company providing the medical evacuation insurance, and we will not be doing any actual diving on the trip!). Students also will be responsible for paying for meals in the airport on travel days and checked bag fees.

What do I need to do to prepare in advance of the trip?

The University of Maine requires all student participants in international travel to be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. According to C.D.C. recommendations, there are no other vaccines required for travel to the Bahamas apart from routine vaccinations. You DO need a passport for the trip, and to hold your space in the course, you must provide a photocopy of your passport to the instructors by the end of the first week of classes in August. We will provide a complete packing list prior to travel.

Is Eleuthera safe?

While all international travel carries some element of risk, Eleuthera is a safe location, The Island School is set up for high school and undergraduate students, and both instructors have previous experience traveling to the Bahamas with students. The crime rate is low, there are medical facilities and a medical staff available on-site, and in the case of emergency, medical evacuation to Nassau or Florida is available and covered through Divers Alert Network insurance. The University of Maine has undertaken a detailed risk assessment to determine the safety of The Island School in the context of COVID-19. Students will not have access to cars or alcohol while traveling. We will be traveling at a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1 and the instructors and educational staff from The Island School will be accessible at all times.

What credit will I earn toward my major from this course?

For Biology, Zoology, and Botany majors, the course will provide one lab credit, partial fulfillment of the Area V (Ecology) requirement, and 3 credits toward the 24 required in the biological sciences. Students from non-SBE majors should consult with their home departments regarding credit earned toward their majors from this course.

Can I pay the course fee with financial aid?

Yes, financial aid may be used to pay the course fee in addition to tuition. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at (207) 581-1324 for more information.