The Galápagos Islands are a unique, world-renowned ecological treasure—important in world history as the place where Charles Darwin began his work on the theory of evolution, but known equally today for unparalleled beauty and ecological diversity. Service-learning in the Galápagos offers an

opportunity available nowhere else to live and learn about a delicate and complex natural environment and the impacts—both positive and negative—of human settlement, fisheries, and tourism in that setting and, at the same time, contribute through service to maintaining this unique environment.

learningservice-

academic study for credit united with volunteer service

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Overview

During this semester program, you will be introduced to the biologi-cal and ecological diversity of the Galápagos Islands as well as to a unique fi shing and agricultural society. You may choose one of two concurrent programs, with either a biology focus or a social science focus.

Excursions

• City tour of Quito, Mitad del Mundo (Equator monument), Otavalo (an Andean Indian town) and Cotopaxi volcano

• 5-day excursion to USFQ’s Tipu-tini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon jungle

• 4-day trip to Machalilla National Park & Isla de la Plata (coastal Ecuador)

• Usually one fi eld trip for each academic course, either on the island of San Cristobal or other islands of the Galápagos Archi-pelago

• 4-day Galápagos boat tour, which includes visits to several islands and trips with local fi sh-ermen to learn about the local marine economy

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• Extended visits to Isla Isabela and Isla Santa Cruz, including lectures by leading scientists and experts in the fi eld.

on Isla San Cristóbal, learn from world-class faculty, and engage in service related to island ecology and/or the local island community. All program courses are taught in English.

After an initial period on the campus of the Universidad San Francisco in Quito, you will attend a full schedule of classes at the Galápagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (GAIAS)

Native and Introduced Plants of the GalápagosProvides an introduction to the unique vegetation and introduced fl ora of the Galápagos Islands and reviews current conservation measures being used to control the threats aff ecting native fl ora.

Population EcologyAnalyzes the fundamental theories that explain the structure and dynamics of plant and animal populations, both in ecological and evolutionary time, with emphasis on Galápagos populations.

Introduction to Marine Life of the Galápagos IslandsReviews and discusses the diversity of life forms dependent on the sea, their ecosystem context, and oceanographic conditions that support such life forms, leading to understanding of marine productivity and conservation issues. Includes regular

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Academic Study

The program is based at the Galápagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (GAIAS), an arm of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, a highly-regarded university in Ecuador.

You may choose one of two courses of study: Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation in the Galápagos is designed for students of the life sciences; Politics, the Environment, and the Galápagos is designed for students of the social sciences.

The semester-long programs each consist of fi ve intensive courses, all taught in 3-week modules and worth 3 credits each, for a total of 15 credits. You will take four of the off ered courses, with the fi fth course period devoted to analyz-ing and recording in a journal your community service experience. A transcript from the Universidad

observation of intertidal areas, diving, snorkeling, and monitoring of local fi sheries.

Human Ecology and Maritime CommunitiesStudies the diverse manners in which humans have adapted to their environment, particularly to the sea and coastal environments, as well as the impact of their adaptation.

San Francisco de Quito is issued upon successful completion of the program.

Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation in the Galápagos (Biology Focus)This program examines the central concepts of evolution and ecology and their application to conservation biology.

Courses Off ered

Evolutionary BiologyFocuses on the concepts that have shaped the theory of evolution, and how Darwin’s experience in the Galápagos Islands infl uenced his ideas. Includes fi eld research.

Politics, the Environment, and the Galápagos (Social Science Focus)

This program is designed to examine diff erent issues related to the social and economic considerations relevant to the management of fragile environments. Through a series of courses and an independent study, students will explore the impact that people have on fragile environments and the ways in which confl icts and issues created around these concerns can be resolved in just and peaceful ways.

Courses Off ered

Conservation and Wildlife ManagementExplores the fundamentals of conservation and wildlife man-agement, examining some of the causes of decreasing biodiversity and exploring the tools used to assess, maintain and conserve bio-diversity at all levels. Includes fi eld trips to the cloud forest and Amazon basin of Ecuador.

Human Ecology and Maritime Communities Studies the diverse manners in which humans have adapted to their environment, particularly to the sea and coastal environments, as well as the impact of their adaptation.

Environmental Economics Examines the basic economic perspectives of natural resource and environmental problems, including specifi c issues related to

the Galápagos such as renewable resource management, fi sheries, and evaluation of biodiversity.

Tourism, Community, and the EnvironmentUsing case studies in Ecuador and the Galápagos, the question is examined: Is tourism a threat or an opportunity? While tourism can produce serious negative impacts for local people and the environ-ment, it also has the potential to provide incentives for conservation and social development.

Independent ProjectStudents develop a project that examines a particular socio-envi-ronmental issue in the Galápagos, and propose possible solutions to the issue explored.

give receive theory practice global local action refl ection

Environmental SecurityEstablishes linkages between the environment and confl ict, exploring the connections between environmental degradation and scarcity and the emergence of regional tension. Traditional approaches to security are progressively reframed to integrate the concept of human security, making the linkages between the environment and security increasingly apparent.

Volunteer Service

Service may include volunteer work in conservation, introduced species control, waste manage-ment, pest control, reforestation with local species, sustainable ag-ricultural practices, and/or working with the local community in day care centers, elementary and high schools or teaching in languages and mathematics in the commu-nity college. In most cases, service assignments are focused on one three-week module during the semester. Placements are based in part on your facility with the Span-ish language.

Living in the Galápagos

You may live in the GAIAS facilities, which include shared dormitories, kitchen and dining areas, class-rooms, and a computer lab with Internet access, or you may live in a homestay with local community residents. IPSL students are en-couraged to live with a host family in order to improve their Spanish and integrate more fully into the local community.

In your free time, you may par-ticipate in outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, hiking, and surfi ng.

Optional Courses

(*=available to all students for ad-ditional fees)

Spanish - A basic Spanish class may be available at the begin-ning of the program for students lacking any knowledge of the language.

Dive Course* - Students are encouraged to take an optional Open Water Dive Course off ered by a PADI-certifi ed dive instructor.

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The GAIAS facility on Isla San CristóbalThe GAIAS facility on Isla San Cristóbal

Introduction to Digital Photography* – Formal classes, critiques and daily photographic activities are combined to give students an overall understanding about technical and aesthetic issues in photography. 1 credit.

Dates & Costs

Semester (Fall and Spring) programs are offered in the Galápagos.

See ipsl.org for the most up-to-date information and for specific details about dates and fees.

Students may be able to apply their financial aid toward the program cost. Inquire.

Eligibility

Applicants should have completed at least one year of university-level studies and must have at least a 3.0 GPA. All courses are taught in English.

Students applying for the Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation in Galápagos program should have completed one course each in general biology and ecology.

About IPSL

The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership, a not-for-profit educational organi-zation founded in 1982, designs and administers undergraduate and graduate programs that combine rigorous academic studies and sub-stantive volunteer service. Students from over 400 colleges and univer-sities in the U.S. and other nations have participated in IPSL programs. Supported by such foundations as the Ford Foundation and the Henry Luce Foundation, IPSL also promotes the joining of academic study and volunteer service through confer-ences and publications.

The International Partnership forService-Learning and Leadership815 Second AvenueNew York, NY 10017 USATel: 212.986.0989Fax: 212.986.5039info@ipsl.org

ipsl.org

More Information

Go to ipsl.org for more detailed information about the program, and to learn about our semester, summer, or year-long programs in:

Czech RepublicEcuador (Galápagos, Guayaquil & Quito)

EnglandFranceIndiaIsraelItalyJamaicaMexicoPhilippinesRussiaScotlandThailandLakota Nation, USA

IPSL also offers an M.A. in International Service. Short-term programs are available in some locations.

Please feel free to call or email with your questions. © 2006 The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership

For students applying to the Politics, the Environment, and the Galápagos program, an intermediate level of Spanish is highly recommended, but not required.

The program welcomes students of any nation. TOEFL equivalent 550.

Application

You may download an application from www.ipsl.org, or call or email IPSL to have an application sent to you. A very limited number of spaces are available. You will be notified within two weeks of our receipt of your completed application.

Application Deadlines

Fall semester: June 1Spring semester: November 1

Early application is strongly advised, as the GAIAS programs often fill before their deadlines.