 Experience the ecological diversity of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
4 credits in Biology
July 28 - Aug. 11, 2008
Dr. Robert Fisher and Professor Rosita Cruz
$1,960 + airfare + applicable tuition
Registration deadline: March 17, 2008 or until full
Program description and application [PDF]
The Department of Biology in VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences and the Office of International Education are pleased to offer a unique opportunity in ecological studies in picturesque Puerto Rico. In this traveling program, participants will have the opportunity to experience the vast diversity of Puerto Rico’s ecological makeup and, through cultural excursions, will see how a country’s landscape shapes its people.
Course and credit options: 4 VCU credits
BIOL 391 Ecosystems, Cultures and Languages in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean
Please note: this course is open to all majors.
Course description: Students will work within the contrasting ecosystems of coral beaches, rainforests, subtropical moist forests and the tropical dry forests. The program will utilize the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Site, the Mata de Platano Field Station and Nature Reserve and the UN Biosphere Reserve at Guanica.
2008 estimated program budget
Program cost: $1,960 + airfare + applicable VCU tuition
 The program fee is $1,960 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Meals
- Study visits and tours
- Ground transportation
- On-site program director support
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International student identification card
 The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- Airfare
- VCU tuition and fees
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $200)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare: Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for their own round-trip travel arrangements from the U.S. to Puerto Rico. Fisher will assist participants in identifying a low-cost option for the group. For best fares you should purchase your ticket as soon as possible after recommendation by Fisher. The group must travel to Puerto Rico on the same flight for logistical reasons.
Eligibility: Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to participate in this program. All majors are welcome.
Registration deadline: March 17, 2008
Applications will be accepted until the deadline, or until participant space is full. We only take eight to 10 students, so register early.
 Activities and excursions: Field trips include viewing the world’s largest radio telescope in Arecibo, visiting caves in the Rio Camuy Cave Park, touring the house of the artist Ne. Participants will assist in the bat research caves with Rodriguez and tour a variety of topographies including tropical research gardens, a tropical dry forest, a beautiful isolated mangrove island and the ancient salt flats of Cabo Rojo. In addition, the group will have access to beautiful beaches and a rare bioluminescent lagoon for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. Participants also will enjoy a family night with a wonderful Puerto Rican family, visit an Indian ceremonial park, hike to the top of the rain forest, swim in La Mina Falls, bike on the mangrove trails of Piñones and salsa dance at the Rumba Club in old San Juan.
Accommodations and meals: Participants stay at a variety of sites including bat and rain forest research facilities, two university campuses, and a beautiful old hotel in Ponce. Meals have been designed to allow participants to experience traditional Puerto Rican cuisine from each area of the island. Come dine with us.
 Program directors: The program is led by Robert Fisher, associate professor of biology at VCU, past president of the Virginia Academy of Science and co-director of the Virginia Science Resource Network. Fisher has extensive experience in Puerto Rico with educational outreach projects. The program is co-directed by Rosita Cruz of the VCU School of World Studies, where she is an instructor of Spanish. Cruz also directs the VCU Education Abroad Spanish program to Guatemala.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs.
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