2012 Frequently Asked Questions

I have never had an ethnobiology (or ethnobotany) course before. Can I still attend the Field School?

What will the Field School cost?

There are three or four elements in the overall cost. These will vary between individuals.

1. Registration

$2000 for approx. 4 weeks (Skills Demonstration and Kaua`i Field School)

2. Transportation to Kaua`i

This varies, depending on the origin of your travel. The destination is Lihue, Kaua`i. The Field School will provide transportation on the island.

3. Equipment and Supplies

A detailed list of equipment and supplies that are required for the course is available on the 2012 Field School site. Participants will likely have most of these items. We encourage an early purchase of additional supplies and equipment so that there is time to become familiar with each item.

An important part of the philosophy of the Field School is that professionals have their own (well understood) toolkit. Secondarily, we feel that equipment maintenance is best handled by the person who owns an item.

4. Course Credits (Tuition)

The Field School itself does not offer credit or charge for credits. However, full participation in the Field School is worthy of academic credit, so students who do want credits should arrange this with their home institution. The cost of these credits depends on your home institution.

Readings and videos are available to bring you up to speed. It is best that you discuss your background with the Field School staff to make sure that you are ready for this course and that you will benefit from its offerings.

For more information, please see the Prerequisites page.

What do I need to do to prepare for the Field School?

Prerequisites

Skills mastery

Certifications

I don't see any listing of credits for this course. Can I get college credit?

Yes, you will probably be able to get credit for the successful completion of the Field School. We are depending on your institution (College or University) to provide the credits based on matching the Field School activities to your institution's courses. Please have an instructor in your department contact the Field School staff to determine the best way for you to obtain proper credit.

What about food?

The Field School will provide food while you are on Kaua`i. The way that this is done corresponds closely to what you would expect on a field expedition. Food will not be fancy and will be served in a group style. Individual dietary needs such as allergies may be taken into account, but food preferences will not be accommodated because this is part of the normal process of working within a group, particularly in field situations. An attempt will be made to provide a wide range of foods so that we can take advantage of the diversity of local cultural expertise and cuisine that is available on Kaua`i.

What is the weather like on Kaua`i?

Expect rain. Perhaps lots of it. Some of our field sites (where you will be camping) are very close to the wettest spot on the planet.