UA Study Abroad Expands Short-Term Options
As a complement to the winter break rainforest program in Ecuador, the UA is introducing more short-term spring break programs abroad.

By Jordyn Stinnett, UA Office of Global Initiatives
March 31, 2017

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UA research associate Hans-Werner Herrmann leads students to the Ecuadorian rainforest each winter. With the success of his program, which teaches students about one of the most richly biodiverse areas in the world, the UA Office of Global Initiatives is
UA research associate Hans-Werner Herrmann leads students to the Ecuadorian rainforest each winter. With the success of his program, which teaches students about one of the most richly biodiverse areas in the world, the UA Office of Global Initiatives is beginning to offer more short-term explorations. (Photo: Hans-Werner Herrmann/UA School of Natural Resources and the Environment)


Trekking through the Amazon rainforest late at night, University of Arizona students equipped with flashlights gain a rare glimpse of insects, amphibians and snakes, quenching their curiosity about an array of rare species.

Tucked away in the eastern corner of Ecuador, the Huaorani Reserve is one of the most biologically diverse in the world. It also is home to the Shiripuno Field Station, the remote base for a select group of UA students in December.

"Going to the Amazon rainforest has always been a distant goal of mine and even the possibility of acceptance into this program was reason enough to apply," said Alaina Michaels, a UA junior studying organismal biology.

"I think anybody who is even considering this program will absolutely value the experience for the rest of their life," she said.

Lasting about two weeks, the Rainforest Biodiversity in Ecuador program is a relatively new model for the Office of Global Initiatives, which houses UA Study Abroad. The intensive program begins the day after Christmas and ends before the spring semester starts, giving students a crash course in biodiversity while earning academic credit.

"This area has the highest richness in biodiversity of any studied region, but at the same time it is confronted with oil exploration. That is really what makes this class interesting — the conflicting interests," said Hans-Werner Herrmann, a research associate and adjunct professor in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment who leads the UA expedition to the Ecuadorian rainforest each winter.

Based on positive feedback from students in the winter break program, UA Study Abroad recognized an opportunity to provide more short-term explorations.

Beginning in 2018, students can use their spring break to tour historic sites such as Naples, Rome, Florence and Venice during the Explore Italy program or study London & the Theater with visits to Shakespeare's Globe, Stonehenge and Bath.

UA Study Abroad also is working to develop additional spring break programs by the fall — perhaps expeditions to Asia or North Africa.

Students already can take a short-term exploration to Egypt for two weeks at the start of the summer semester, visiting the Pyramids of Giza, the Catacombs in Alexandria and King Tutankhamun's tomb. The Arizona in Egypt program is a hands-on experience, allowing students to engage in archaeology fieldwork and intensive museum research.

Harmony DeFazio, director of Study Abroad and Student Exchange, sees the short-term explorations as a preview of a field, quickly giving students a practical idea of what they want to pursue in a career.

"Our role at UA Study Abroad is to help facilitate the development and implementation of programs based on the expertise and passion of UA faculty," DeFazio said. "These faculty members are deeply committed. They truly believe in these programs and put in a lot of work. Ultimately, UA Study Abroad connects students to faculty who do these programs in a global context.”

DeFazio said that such experiential programs are a priority for UA Study Abroad.

"These programs can also act as a springboard for a longer-term study abroad experience where a student can more thoroughly immerse themselves in a culture and field of study," she said.

"As we work toward aligning ourselves with 100% Engagement, we are developing several programs that are hands-on in nature. We are focusing on research, fieldwork, clinical observation, internships and service learning opportunities."

Extra info

Faculty members interested in developing a short-term exploration should contact Harmony DeFazio, director of Study Abroad and Student Exchange and the executive director of the Global Mobility Lab, at defazioh@email.arizona.edu or 520-626-9211.

Short-term explorations include:

Rainforest Biodiversity in Ecuador

  • Application deadline: Sept. 25
  • Program dates: Late December through mid-January

Explore Italy

  • Application deadline: Nov. 1
  • Program dates: March 9-18

London & the Theater

  • Application deadline: Nov. 1
  • Program dates: March 9-18

Arizona in Ancient Egypt

  • Application deadline: Feb. 15
  • Program dates: Early June through mid-June

Students may earn one to three academic credits for completing short-term explorations, depending on program and hours.

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Jordyn Stinnett

UA Office of Global Initiatives

520-621-2820

jordynstinnett@email.arizona.edu