SIT Study Abroad: Madagascar - Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management

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Explore rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs, and the environmental challenges of Madagascar, isolated from neighboring land masses for more than 100 million years.A biodiverse island evolving from a set of unique environmental circumstances, Madag... read more

All Reviews

OVERALL RATING 4.3
Based on 2 Reviews
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There were definitely some grittier/harder moments, but I honestly learned so much and grew a ton during my time abroad. Madagascar is so very different from the US and I had so many opportunities to develop my language skills while meeting people who come from such different walks of life. I feel so much more mature in my desir... - Wake Forest University View Entire Review
I loved gaining perspective on how people live in a completely different part of the world. Speaking French and Malagasy was a blast. - Middlebury College View Entire Review
This program was extremely worthwhile. I learned about the landscapes, biodiversity, and culture of Madagascar. I learned about the ways in which conservation can have dramatic impacts on local peoples and about the ways that America and other western powers can have major impacts on the lives of people all over the world. - Brandeis University View Entire Review
Absolutely worthwile. You will learn so much about your self and the world through going here and you can’t get really anywhere else in the world. It was the challenge that made it so incredible. - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I learned so much about myself and about Madagascar's people and culture. I became more independent and learned what living in a third world country is like. I also learned about the biodiversity in Madagascar and was able to study lemurs in the wild. - University of Tulsa View Entire Review
I would rank my experience in Madagascar as the number one most important decision I have ever made. I am not exaggerating when I think I thought about it every day for the first 2 years after leaving. I would literally trade anything to go back for one day. I gained so much knowledge not only about Madagascar, but about the wor... - Colby College View Entire Review
I gained relationships with Malagasy people who care very much about, and I made a few very tight friendships with other students. Additionally, I learned a ton during my ISP and cherish this new knowledge and appreciation of the subject I studied. - Duke University View Entire Review
I learned to deal with being the center of attention, and to deal with embarrassment, failing at silly little things. I also became so much more comfortable with talking to other people about myself. I found that my interest lies more with human lives than with the environment. I also saw how difficult and complex the problems f... - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I learned to look at other cultures from another perspective, and to not so easily judge. I also learned first-hand the hard balance between people and the environment, especially in third-world countries. It was definitely worthwhile. - Austin College View Entire Review
It was overall an amazing experience that's really hard to encapsulate in these questions. Everyone should do a program that puts them out of their comfort zone like this one does. - Middlebury College View Entire Review
Absolutely worthwhile - a crazy roller coaster, but worth every minute. Natural resource management basically studies how to balance environmental and social welfare. You can't make decisions about protecting the environment without also helping the people that depend strongly on their ancestral lands - and "helping" is not gi... - Wellesley College View Entire Review
Past Review
It was definitely an experience. It was great getting to see a completely different culture and language, as well as being able to use my French language skills. I got to incorporate biology and environmental studies into my work which was what I was looking for. It also made me really expand my horizons - we spent a week in a v... - Tufts University View Entire Review
A student studying abroad with SIT Study Abroad: Madagascar - Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management
I loved how to put myself into uncomfortable situations, or situations that I could be nervous about, and make the most out of it. I learned to not take myself so seriously. - Middlebury College View Entire Review
Go with the flow, realize there are ways of living that are extremely different than the one in the States, learn some biological monitoring techniques, and practice your French. If you are looking for a challenge and something new, this program is definitely worthwhile. - Wellesley College View Entire Review
This program exposed me to a part of the world I had never experienced. I learned so much about the culture and about myself, and I loved it. - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I gained a new perspective on social justice, environmentalism and on life in general beyond what I knew at home or even at school. I had travelled abroad before, but immersing myself in a culture that was so completely different from anything I had ever experienced before was both challenging and extremely valuable. Life is har... - Middlebury College View Entire Review
It was the best experience of my life. I learned about myself and about the world. It was absolutely worthwhile--it opened my eyes. - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I gained a new family, new friends, new opportunities, and new dreams and aspirations. I learned who I am and what I want to do with my life. I figured out my positives and flaws. I definitely feel like this programs was worthwhile and would encourage everyone to go. Though it is a hard program and not like any other study abroa... - Trinity University View Entire Review
Much deeper understanding of the interactions between Africa and the US/europe on many levels (mainly environmental). Very worthwhile. - Middlebury College View Entire Review
You can't really sum up what you "gain/learn" on this program in a little text box on an internet survey, but at the most basic level, how to be flexible and go with the flow, and to chose what is right. So incredibly worthwhile. - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I continue even now, three months later, to reflect on how Madagascar changed me as a person and how I view my life here in America. I can't say that this program made me understand where I am headed, but it definitely helped to define how I will move forward. I think on an academic level, however, the program could have been be... - Middlebury College View Entire Review
YES! One of the best, most intense experiences of my life. - Trinity University View Entire Review
As I mentioned, it was the best decision I made so far in my life. I gained a lot from this experience. I not only learned so much more about myself and my limits (which applies to every study abroad program), but it is huge factor in shaping my career and academic goals. I met some very amazing people on the program too. - Tufts University View Entire Review

About

Explore rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs, and the environmental challenges of Madagascar, isolated from neighboring land masses for more than 100 million years.

A biodiverse island evolving from a set of unique environmental circumstances, Madagascar is one of the world’s globally recognized “megadiverse” countries, with flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. Explore environmental challenges, conservation, and development across an array of ecosystems including tropical rainforests, mangroves, and dry deciduous forests in multiple economic and cultural contexts. Discover a world apart, where the vast majority of wildlife is endemic only to the island and witness the human side of natural resource management. 

Study alongside Malagasy university students, employing social and natural science field techniques in coral reef systems, national parks, and farming and fishing villages. Stay with local families, learn the Malagasy language, and enhance your French as you become immersed in francophone Africa. Visit the Ankanin’ny Nofy Reserve, where you can see the iconic aye aye and the carnivorous plant Nepenthes. See the amazing Sarodrano cave, a basin filled with clear, blue fresh water, under a rocky overhang as well as the beautiful canyon of Isalo National Park.

Program Type(s):
Study Abroad
Program Length(s):
  • Fall
  • Spring
Instruction Language(s):
  • French
  • English
Relevant Study Subject(s):
  • Natural Resources and Conservation
  • Environmental Studies
  • Environmental Science
  • Biology and Biomedical Sciences
  • Zoology, Animal Biology
  • Ecology, Evolution Biology
  • Marine Sciences
Minimum GPA:
2.5
Website
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Statistics

SIT Study Abroad Scholarships

Students who are Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Scholars will receive a $2,000 award for SIT Study Abroad semester or summer programs.

$2,000

Deadlines:
April 1 for summer programs May 15 for fall programs November 1 for spring programs

Guidelines/Requirements:
The SIT Study Abroad scholarship application process has been fully integrated into our online program application.

To recognize and support alumni of EIL summer high school programs who also participate in SIT Study Abroad programs. $1,000 for semester programs and $500 for summer. A $400 scholarship is also available to students who indicate that they have an immediate family member who has participated in an EIL or its College Semester Abroad program.

$400 - $1,000

Deadlines:
April 1 for summer programs May 15 for fall programs November 1 for spring programs

Guidelines/Requirements:
The SIT Study Abroad scholarship application process has been fully integrated into our online program application.

For students enrolled at Hispanic-serving institutions, including member institutions of HACU who demonstrate financial need, SIT will award a $3,000 scholarship for participation in a semester program and $2,000 for a summer program.

$2,000 - $3,000

Deadlines:
Deadlines April 1 for summer programs May 15 for fall programs November 1 for spring programs

Guidelines/Requirements:
The SIT Study Abroad scholarship application process has been fully integrated into our online program application.

For students enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and who demonstrate financial need, SIT will award a $2,000 scholarship for participation in a semester program or $1,500 for a summer program.

$1,500 - $2,000

Deadlines:
April 1 for summer programs May 15 for fall programs November 1 for spring programs

Guidelines/Requirements:
The SIT Study Abroad scholarship application process has been fully integrated into our online program application.

To recognize students participating in this community service program. Upon receipt of confirmation from a student’s Bonner mentor, SIT will award $2,500 for semester programs and $1,000 for summer programs.

$1,000 - $2,500

Deadlines:
April 1 for summer programs May 15 for fall programs November 1 for spring programs

Guidelines/Requirements:
The SIT Study Abroad scholarship application process has been fully integrated into our online program application.

To recognize students participating in the National Security Education Program (NSEP) funded award, which focuses on study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to US interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Upon receipt of the student’s Boren confirmation letter, SIT will award a $1,000 scholarship.

$1,000

Deadlines:
April 1 for summer programs May 15 for fall programs November 1 for spring programs

Guidelines/Requirements:
The SIT Study Abroad scholarship application process has been fully integrated into our online program application.

For students enrolled at Big 10 Academic Alliance universities. Eligible students demonstrating financial need will receive a $1,500 scholarship for semester programs and a $750 scholarship for summer programs.

$750 - $1,500

Deadlines:
April 1 for summer programs May 15 for fall programs November 1 for spring programs

Guidelines/Requirements:
The SIT Study Abroad scholarship application process has been fully integrated into our online program application.

This is an automatic scholarship to recognize and support students who participate in two or more SIT Study Abroad programs, including alumni of short-term summer programs. The scholarship will be applied to a student’s second full term of study with SIT. The scholarship is $1,000 for a fall or spring semester program or $500 for a full-term, international summer program.

$500 - $1,000

Deadlines:
April 1 for summer programs May 15 for fall programs November 1 for spring programs

Guidelines/Requirements:
The SIT Study Abroad scholarship application process has been fully integrated into our online program application.

An average of $4,500 (amount varies) is awarded to one female student, 22 years of age or younger, who demonstrates international awareness and a desire to create a more peaceful world through international exchange. This scholarship is available for summer programs only.

$4,500

Deadlines:
April 1 for summer programs May 15 for fall programs November 1 for spring programs

Guidelines/Requirements:
The SIT Study Abroad scholarship application process has been fully integrated into our online program application.

This $10,000 scholarship opportunity is for one student per year. The student must demonstrate extreme financial need, attend an HBCU (or other minority-serving institution), be a first-generation college student, and have never previously traveled abroad.

$10,000

Deadlines:
April 1 for summer programs May 15 for fall programs November 1 for spring programs

Guidelines/Requirements:
The SIT Study Abroad scholarship application process has been fully integrated into our online program application.

SIT matches Federal Pell Grant funding up to $2,500 for semester students who use their Pell Grant to help pay the cost of their SIT program. Students utilizing their Federal Pell Grant for SIT Study Abroad summer terms receive up to a $1000 match.

$1,000 - $2,500

Deadlines:
April 1 for summer programs May 15 for fall programs November 1 for spring programs

Guidelines/Requirements:
The SIT Study Abroad scholarship application process has been fully integrated into our online program application.

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