University of Wisconsin–Madison

Ecuador: Anna Choles

Program: Ceiba Tropical Conservation Semester: Galapagos, Andes and Amazon, Semester

Anna’s Major: Conservation Biology

Anna smiles for the camera while kneeling in thick, tropical bushes and trees.
Here is a photo of me setting up a camera trap in the cloud forest.

What is your most memorable experience from your program?

2 weeks of the Ceiba Tropical Conservation Semester program take place at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon rainforest. Here, I conducted a research project that required me to track woolly monkeys through the rainforest and document their behavior. I will never forget the excitement of hearing rustling leaves and crashing branches, indicating the presence of woolly monkeys, after hours of searching. Being able to stick with them throughout the day and uncover information regarding their land use habits was not only rewarding, but also provided me with advanced field work experience. This project was therefore my most memorable aspect of the program.

Because there was such a broad range of opportunities to conduct research, it provided the perfect opportunity to explore my interests and narrow down a field of study.

What is the moment you are most proud of?

Throughout this program, I have gained self confidence and learned how to effectively advocate for myself. I have also learned to embrace uncertainty. I am proud of my experience with the doctor in Tena, because it demonstrates my growth in these regards. When I noticed that I was unwell, I listened to my body and didn’t hesitate to seek help. In order to get to the doctor from my internship in the Amazon, I had to organize transportation via canoe and bus. This was a difficult process, and the bus made an unexpected stop in a small town outside of Tena that I had never been to before. I had to maintain a level head and trust that I was capable of overcoming barriers in order to finally get another bus that could take me the rest of the way. I learned a lot from this experience, and I am proud of my ability navigate unknown situations by having confidence in my ability to overcome obstacles.

Anna squats down next to two turquoise animal carriers.
Here is a photo of me helping out with a spider monkey translocation. Under each of my hands is a crate holding a juvenile spider monkey that I transported through the rainforest.

Describe your internship, research, or fieldwork and how the experience helped advance your career or studies.

I entered the program knowing that I want to pursue a research career that involves tropical field work; however, I was unsure which type of tropical ecosystem I was most interested in. This program provides field opportunities in the páramo, cloud forest, rainforest, and the ocean. Because there was such a broad range of opportunities to conduct research, it provided the perfect opportunity to explore my interests and narrow down a field of study. Based on the experiences offered by the program, I have identified interests in primatology and marine biology.