Australia: Chandler Wells
Program: SFS Rainforest Studies, Summer
Chandler’s Majors: Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences Communication
How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?
My academic experience with the SFS Rainforest Studies Program was quite different from taking classes at UW-Madison. One major difference was the hands-on fieldwork in the rainforest, which allowed me to directly apply what we were learning. There was a large emphasis on group projects and classwork being conducted outside and in the field, which offered a more immersive and collaborative learning experience than traditional lectures and indoor lab work at UW–Madison. For example, my fieldwork project involved spotlighting, where we searched for marsupials at night in the canopy of the rainforest. This nighttime fieldwork was a stark contrast to the daytime classroom settings I’m accustomed to at UW-Madison.
Take advantage of your free time by exploring the rainforest as much as possible—it’s an incredible opportunity to fully immerse yourself in nature and have fun outside of your coursework.
What is your most memorable experience from your program?
My most memorable experience from the program was snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef. The coral and wildlife were absolutely stunning, and I had the chance to see turtles, reef sharks, and eels up close. What made this experience even more impactful was witnessing firsthand the sections of coral bleaching. This is something we frequently discuss in my environmental conservation classes, so seeing the real effects of ocean acidification and coral bleaching was both eye-opening and deeply informative. It reinforced the importance of the issues we study and gave me a new perspective on the environmental challenges facing marine ecosystems.
What is your advice for someone considering your program?
My advice for anyone considering the program is to fully embrace the experience of living in the rainforest. You will stay in cabins with several other people, which makes for a really fun and social environment. Since you’re always around others, it’s important to embrace the sense of community and make the most of your time together. Take advantage of your free time by exploring the rainforest as much as possible—it’s an incredible opportunity to fully immerse yourself in nature and have fun outside of your coursework.