Prairie View A&M Students in Ecuador during a study abroad trip. L-R College of  Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources students Trinity Bluford, Jada Ennis, Kerrah Oliver, Tenaya Pitts-Upshaw, Jaren Van Buren, Godlove Fonzweng, Ph.D.,  Ram Ray, Ph.D. Sidnye Antoine,  and Saniya Young.

Studying abroad is a wonderful learning opportunity during a university student’s academic experience. It is why Prairie View A&M University’s (PVAMU) College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CAFNR) and the Office of International Programs collaborated to offer their students a unique global experience in The Galapagos Islands. This study abroad program aims to help students understand the fundamentals of natural resources such as soil and water and their conservation and management through theoretical knowledge, laboratory exercises, and hands-on learning. 

Experienced faculty members, including Ram Ray, Ph.D., a CAFNR professor and research scientist, and Godlove Fonjweng, Ph.D., the executive director of International and Intercultural Programs, led the trip, providing students with a well-rounded experience that included cultural immersion and learning opportunities as they collaborated with local hosts in the Galapagos Islands and the Intercultural Outreach Initiative. 

As part of the trip, students visited Finca Los Naranjos, a family-owned coffee farm in Isla Isabela, where they witnessed and participated in the coffee-making process. This experience gave students insight into agricultural practices outside of the United States and was just one of the many key experiences during the program. 

Further into the study abroad trip, the group visited more farms, including Finca Bellavista, a family-run and family-owned dairy farm in the highlands of Isla Isabela. At Isla Isabela, the students learned about activities that are done to keep the farm maintained and running. Through exploration, the students prepared the land for planting fruits, vegetables and weeding plants. Expert local farmers explained the making of dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and milk. 

The study abroad program provided opportunities for students to engage with the unique Galapagos wildlife. After visiting farms, the students participated in a kayaking trip to Tintoreras, where they could see different types of marine wildlife, such as fish, sting rays, and turtles. The group later participated in a snorkeling trip at Tuneles, where they arrived by a 45-minute boat ride to the snorkeling spot. 

Lastly, the students embarked on a challenging 10-mile hike to Volcano Sierra Negra. As the group hiked to see the Sierra Negra Caldera, they observed many different viewpoints and stops at various lava formations created from past eruptions. 

 In summary, this study abroad program provided a well-rounded educational experience for PVAMU students. It combined classroom learning with practical experiences on local farms and immersive encounters with the natural beauty and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. Such programs offer students a unique opportunity to broaden their horizons, gain valuable insights, and develop a deeper appreciation for global environmental issues. 

Kerrah Oliver
CAFNR Student