Hello! My name is Brooke and I am raising money to study abroad in Ecuador in Spring of 2027. I am applying for a program through SIT that studies ecology and conservation throughout Ecuador's striking ecosystems. I am currently a Forestry student at Cal Poly Humboldt with a concentration in Forest Restoration, and it is a dream of mine to learn about South America's alluring and wild ecosystems. And what better place to do this than the most biodiverse country in the world!?

But, with amazing travel comes amazing costs. I am reaching out as a call for financial help to make this opportunity feasible for me. This program costs $20,450 for tuition and $4,800 for the homestay. Right now, I have about $18,000 saved up in scholarship money and in my education fund. My parents have agreed to help with the additional cost of airfare. Any contribution (no matter how big or small) would be deeply, deeply appreciated as I navigate my options for finding a worthwhile study abroad program.

More about me:

I am working towards my bachelor's degree in forestry with a concentration in forest restoration, and I am passionate about ecological research and sustainable land management. From a young age, I have cared deeply about the environment. I grew up hiking and climbing in the Sierra Nevada, where I gained a deep appreciation for nature. While I got to see the beauty of our forests, I also saw the catastrophic damages caused by humans, pollution, and climate change. I became inspired to protect and help our forests in any way I could, which is what led me down the career path I am currently pursuing. After studying here at Cal Poly Humboldt for two years and counting, I could not be more passionate about this mission. As I learn about California's amazing forested ecosystems and all the ways we can help sustainably manage our lands, I am drawn to researching ecosystems outside of my familiar realm, outside of North America even. I also grew up in a Spanish immersion program, which taught me to speak Spanish fluently and taught me about the various, colorful Spanish cultures. I feel so drawn to study in South America to immerse myself in Ecuadorian culture, as well as explore Ecuador's amazingly biodiverse forests and ecosystems in such a hands-on way. Additionally, I feel especially excited by the idea of conducting research throughout my academic and professional career, and I have a feeling this program will change the way I see the world and spark interests in me that may guide me on my forestry career and research path.

More about the program:

I will be immersed in Spanish culture while staying with a family for a total of 8 weeks in Quito, Ecuador's capital city. Interspersed throughout the semester are four excursions (approximately weeklong) where I will learn about the country's vastly different ecosystems, each incredibly niche and biodiverse. The program takes students to the Paramo Highlands, the Cloud Forests, the Ecuadorean Amazon, and finally the Galapagos Islands. During the last month of the program, I will get to conduct my own research project on any aspect of the Ecuadorian environment of my choosing, by collecting field data and working with local organizations to expand my knowledge and skills. To learn more about the program's excursions, goals, and academics, click here to navigate to the program website!

I've also attached some pictures of the beautiful Ecuador ecosystems I will get to visit if I take part in this program!