Programs : Brochure

Spring Break in Guyana:
Tropical Field Studies

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Program Overview

This unique field study course gives students hands-on experience in the ecology of tropical montane forests. This is a field course on the ecology of tropical forests. Tropical Field Studies will explore the physical and biological factors that result in the formation of these forests, and their impressively high biodiversity. We will learn to identify some of the key animal and plant players in these ecosystems and learn about their complex interactions. We will also consider the effect of human impacts on these forests and how economic development processes affect local communities. Teaching methods will include assigned readings, lectures by faculty and local experts, faculty-led field teaching modules, discussions, short research projects, and field notebook development.
 
This version of the course will take place in Guyana, on the NE coast of South America. Guyana has a rich and diverse culture including a strong indigenous population, and houses some of the largest tracts of intact tropical forest outside central Amazonia. We will be hosted by the Iwokrama station, located on the Essequibo River with access to old-growth tropical forest, savannahs, sustainable logging operations, wildlife research, ecotourism development, and indigenous communities engaged in biological conservation.

By completing this Intensive Course Abroad, students will:

• Gain a first-hand experiential understanding of the environmental factors that contribute to the formation of tropical forests and the ecological principles that govern their function.
• Obtain knowledge of tropical ecology through field studies in tropical forests in different life zones.
• Develop an understanding of the challenges faced by tropical forest managers in light of modern development pressures.
• Develop the student’s awareness of the increasing threat to the world’s biodiversity due to ongoing destruction of the tropical forests.

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Academics

Credit/Registration: Students will be registered for Tropical Field Studies ENVS 323 / ENVS 523 for 3 credits as part of their spring term course load. Students must leave room for the 3 credits in their credit load when registering. Graduate students will be billed for 3 Drexel credits at their normal rate.

Instructor: Sean O'Donnell, Professor in Drexel's Department of Biodiversity, Earth & Environmental Science
 

Program Calendar

Arrival Date:      March 15, 2026
Departure Date: March 26, 2026
*Students must request early departure from winter term professors / co-op employers and are encouraged to do so during the application process. 

Itinerary Overview:  Daytime and night time field trips and observation periods                                          

Day	Date	Lodging at:	Activity
Sun	15-Mar	Georgetown	Fly to Georgetown, Guyana. Lodging at Georgetown Hotel TBA.
Mon	16-Mar	Iwokrama	Travel to Iwokrama by bus arranged by Iwokrama staff.
Tue	17-Mar	Iwokrama	Intro to staff and Iwokrama facilities. Safety guidelines & rules.  Guided instructional forest walks on station trail system.
Wed	18-Mar	Iwokrama	Iwokrama biological monitoring- two groups: River and Road. Afternoon: Set up camera Trapping exercise.  Evening nocturnal animal spotting.
Thu	19-Mar	Iwokrama	At Iwokrama- early day trip to Turtle Mountain; afternoon- Iwokrama Tourism; Petroglyph Tour
Fri	20-Mar	Iwokrama	AM field problem: bird diversity using vocalizations.  Afternoon: Indian House Island Birding Tour
Sat	21-Mar	Iwokrama	Morning Iwokrama Sustainable Forestry demonstration; afternoon collect camera traps and review data.
Sun	22-Mar	Surama	Day trip on Iwokrama road. Morning - Canopy walkway, then to Bina Hill insitute & indigenous peoples' conservation efforts. Transfer to Surama lodge.
Mon	23-Mar	Surama	Morning- Ecological Walk to observe Savanna Ecosystem, Surama indigenous village tour. Afternoon Surama's Tourism Story. Evening wildlife watching.
Tue	24-Mar	Surama	Morning - Community Farm activity.  Afternoon:  Traditional Knowledge Exercise.  Evening local Culture Group presentation.
Wed	25-Mar	Georgetown	Travel to Georgetown. Lodging at Georgetown Hotel TBA.
Thu	26-Mar	USA	Fly to USA

 

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Program Fee - $2,950

Due Nov. 15th: $500 Advance Payment + $25 application fee
Due Jan. 15th: $2,450 Final Payment
*All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.

Included in Program Fee:

• 11 nights lodging
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Ground transportation, including airport pickup and drop-off
• Park entrance fees
• Field supplies
• Cultural activity
• On Call Health & Emergency Insurance

Not Included in Program Fee (Estimates):

• R/T airfare (approx $850)
• Passport ($165)
• Meals not included ($30)
• Yellow Fever Vaccine ($175)
• Spending money (approx $100)
• Airport transfer ($50)
• Graduate students billed for 3 Drexel credits

ICA Financial Aid: Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the ICA program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so could make students eligible for additional financial aid.  Students may also be eligible to apply for Drexel's ICA Scholarships.

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More Information

• US Citizens are not required to obtain a visa for entry to Guyana. Students of other nationalities should confirm visa requirements on the Guyanese Embassy website.
• Students will be responsible for making their own flight arrangements. A suggested flight itinerary will be provided. Students should arrive as early as possible on Day 1 of the program, as the scheduled activities begin that day.