In the spring of 2018, Camila joined SFS in Panama for a study abroad program that significantly influenced her career path. Under the mentorship of Dr. Leon Mach, our Associate Professor in Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values, she undertook a Directed Research project that laid the foundation for her future research.

Together, Camila and Dr. Mach recently published her group’s Directed Research project in the academic journal Tourism Management. This study explored stakeholder perspectives on governance in marine protected areas, emphasizing the need for local stakeholder involvement in decision-making processes.

They also had the opportunity to present their findings at the National Environment and Recreation Research Conference, showcasing their impactful work.

Camila’s academic journey continued as she pursued a Master of Science from the University of Georgia’s Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Program at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.

With Dr. Mach serving on her committee, they once again collaborated to publish her master’s research in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism. This qualitative case study explored the impact of protected area expansion on the Ngöbe Indigenous community of Salt Creek in Panama. Their findings suggest that repairing social capital is vital for achieving sustainable tourism and better aligning with the ethos of collaborative governance.

Apart from her academic endeavors, Camila is one of the founders and the coordinator of ALTUS (Alianza Latinoamericana de Turismo Sostenible), a community-based tourism initiative championed by the Inter-American Foundation. This network involves community-based tourism organizations in 12 Latin American countries and aims to promote knowledge, experience sharing, and capacity building for rural communities engaged in tourism. She also works as a contractor in a socio-economic monitoring data collection effort for the National Park Service in the United States. 

We are especially proud to share that Camila will be returning to Bocas del Toro, where her journey with us began, as a Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute fellow. She will conduct vital research on community perceptions of how erosion and sea-level rise impact their lives, a project that promises to bring significant insights and potential solutions to these pressing issues.

Camila’s story is a testament to the dedication of our faculty in mentoring students, both during and after their time with us. Her achievements inspire us all, and we look forward to following her continued success.

An organism’s nativity, as Professor Shaw described it, is to do with one’s relation both to a land over time and to its ecosystem. Any species inhabiting a space for long enough (infuriatingly vague), fulfilling a particular niche, and without the capacity to dominate its ecosystem can be considered functionally native. These criteria allow us to categorize species which were introduced and have naturalized over time as nativeish. Guanacos for example–one of the most recognizable species in Tierra del Fuego–are not traditionally native to this land because they were eliminated by a tephra-ash layer from a Hudson volcanic eruption 7,750 years ago. Then humans reintroduced them to this geologically isolated archipelago a couple thousand years later, and they reclaimed their niche. So, while they may not be evolutionarily native, they are functionally native.

Scribbling this in my notebook, I spot two gray foxes poking around our campsite, and they look up at me. They sense I’m going to write about them. Towards the sunrise, a small band of debatably native horses graze. The three foals stick close to their mothers while the largest stallion guides them across the field, parting the guanaco herds like the red sea. The stallion has the most beautiful brown coat, black mane and a white stripe down his nose. And I realize as I’m studying him that this wild horse has gotten dangerously close to me. I stand slowly, planning a tactful retreat back to my Ñirre. Before I can turn away, he bows at me. I barely register it, but then he makes his final approach and nudges my outstretched hand. His nose is soft, his slight movements hold enough strength to knock me clean over. The other horses and foals follow closely behind, watching us.

These animals are not afraid of us–the foxes who scavenge our site for camper scraps, the guanacos who trill their lips in disapproval when we make too much noise on the trails, the horses who comfort sleepless students journaling in the field. They are native here, to the pampa and the nothofagus forests of Karwkynka. They wield the authority to welcome us or reject us. I am so incredibly envious of them; I do not belong this way anywhere. I’m confident very few people do. Oh, to touch the tip of my stallion’s nose and tell him that I, too, am native in my homeland.

7:30 AM

Wake up 5 minutes before my alarm. When we get to bed early (last night our bungalow went to bed around 10:15) I almost always wake up on my own, which is lovely. Some people, like one of my roommates, wake up earlier to work out, do homework, or journal.

7:40 AM

Brush teeth, put on a sweatshirt, make bed, unplug computer and put in bag for the day (I find it easier to carry my things in a tote bag so I always have my computer, notebook, journal, pencils, and earbuds for little free moments).

8:00 AM

Breakfast bell rings! Today we had a Panamanian fry bread, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, patacones, beans, salsa, and fruit. You go through and tell the kitchen staff what you would like and how much as they put it on your plate. Then you grab toppings (like Nutella on the fried bread was so good), coffee, juice, etc. and sit down at a table to eat.

8:30 AM

Clear off plate, go back to bungalow to grab water bottle, change into clothes, put away dirty clothes.

8:45 AM

Our wellness director, Sydney, gives us announcements for the day, then the student of the day gives us the question “what color do you most identify with?” (lots of fun answers!). After that, she leads a game called poison dart frog.

9:00 AM

Tropical Coastal Ecology with Dago! First class is about coral reefs so we take notes and ask questions.

9:45 AM

Break. I fill up my water then join in a game of hacky sack.

10:00 AM

More class with Dago, this time learning about quantitative methods for marine research. This class, we have an activity sheet to fill out during lecture, practicing measures of species diversity, evenness, etc.

12:00 PM

Break before lunch, work with a group on our marine field guide, identifying pictures from our snorkel the other day.

12:30 PM

Lunch! Today was rice, a potato squash mix of sorts, chickpeas, and salad, so good!

1:00 PM

Short hacky sack sesh with professors Leon and Daniel.

1:30 PM

Tropical Forest Ecology with Daniel, today we are prepping for our hike to look for frogs, specifically identifying tropical frogs we might see.

3:00 PM

Free time. Personally, I’m heading to work out, then a quick swim across the street and work on our forest field guide that’s due later this week.

5:00 PM

Meet up to plan our community engagement for this coming Saturday. We are heading to Isla Popa to go bird watching and play games with the kids there!

6:00 PM

Dinner! We all sat and talked about the day and our plans for surfing this weekend as well as a movie we might watch later tonight.

7:00 PM

Movie night. We all sat in the classroom and watched a movie with snacks and blankets, such a great way to end the day!

9:00 PM

The movie finished so I went to facetime my sister for a bit before bed time. Service and wifi here are usually pretty good despite the occasional outages and as long as we use the bandwidth correctly, it’s not too hard to stay in touch with home.

10:00PM

Get ready for bed with roommates. We chatted about our day, got ready for bed, then stretched together since we all are pretty sore from various activities (running, swimming, hiking, etc.)

10:35 PM

In bed ready to hit the hay!

Thanks for following along for a detailed day in the life!

Studying abroad is an enriching experience in itself but let me share why opting for SFS might elevate your experience beyond what a “traditional” study abroad could offer. Firstly, I yearned to live in a place that would feel like a second home, immersing myself in the culture daily waking up to the sights, smells, and sounds of Panama. While touring Europe would undoubtedly be amazing, I felt that I could explore and backpack across Europe at various points in my life. Thus, I was keen on immersing myself in one country, one town, for my study abroad adventure. So far, this decision has proven to be immensely rewarding I adore the familiarity of Bocas town, grasping the surfing culture, and connecting with locals. Feeling at home in a foreign country is an incredibly gratifying experience, one that I doubt I would have achieved with a more “traditional” program (although, this is just my perspective as someone drawn to European travel).

Secondly, experiencing a beautiful country within a tight-knit community of students, professors, and local/expat staff ensures respectful exploration. One of my favorite aspects of SFS is the opportunity to dine with our professors, bond with fellow students, and relish the intimate campus ambiance. This sense of home away from home makes the distance from the United States more manageable, thanks to the supportive community at SFS. During our time in Bocas, I’ve felt at ease exploring the town, beaches, and neighboring islands, largely due to the invaluable advice from knowledgeable staff—both local and expats—who are well-versed in Bocas’ nuances. Learning about a place directly from locals is an unparalleled experience that makes delving into a new country feel seamless.

Thirdly, SFS offers the chance to embrace a lifestyle that may be radically different from what you’ll encounter again—such as living near a beach and relishing nature daily. Coming from the Midwest suburbs, attending college in a small city, and likely transitioning to a large city post-graduation, I yearned for this contrasting lifestyle (echoing Sylvia Plath’s fig tree analogy). It’s been an incredibly transformative experience—swimming in the ocean at whim, waking up to jungle symphonies, and embracing a more laid-back pace. While I’m unsure if this lifestyle is a long-term fit, it’s undeniably taught me valuable lessons about myself, with more insights yet to come.

Lastly, I was enticed by the prospect of hands-on fieldwork aligned with my interests, spanning both natural and social sciences. While I’ve conducted research at my home university, it often felt disconnected from the actual source. Here at SFS, from gathering data on the surrounding reefs to engaging with locals to understand tourism’s impacts, every experience has been profoundly enlightening. Three months here are just a glimpse into life in Bocas, and I can never fully comprehend the locals’ joys and struggles. Nonetheless, this journey has broadened my perspective on the world and deepened my appreciation for nature’s intricacies.

Cuernos del Paine, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

Bienvenidos a Chile! We’re officially halfway through our semester and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We’ve trekked across stunning landscapes, learned about the ecology of native Nothofagus populations, seen the climatic influence on glaciers firsthand, and experienced the conservation efforts of our backyard, that being Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, and so much more.

The SFS Chile center is located in Puerto Natales, which is a port city located on a fjord! The city borders Parque Nacional Torres del Paine to the north. The city is filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops with beautiful waterside walkways (my favorite place to go for a run!) The location allows for lots of transport to the various field locations, which also allows us to have so many! (27 days in the field just for classes!)

Pingo Salvaje

We take five classes during the semester: Patagonian Ecology, Political and Social Dimensions of Conservation, Earth Systems and Climate Science, Language, Culture, and Society of Chile, and Directed Research! I’ve learned so much in my time here and can’t wait to see what else is in store.

Let’s talk about some of my favorite moments so far! During the first few weeks of the semester, we got to visit Pingo Salvaje, an estancia located near Lago Sofia. We hiked around all day in a beautiful landscape while learning about the glacial landscape and the first Patagonians.

Cerro Castillo                                                                       

Then we got to walk on the shores of the lake and spend the night camping! The day was so special and made such an impact on me, both academically and personally. Truly one of my favorites! Another great time was when we took a week-long trip to Tierra del Fuego, located way at the bottom of the continent! We got to travel over the Strait of Magellan into the field where we camped at Karukinka (a private conservation site) and got to explore the land! We also got to see King Penguins at the Pinguino Rey Conservation site and see a volcanic landscape at Parque Nacional   

Grey Glacier, Torres del Paine

Pali Aike! It was such an incredible experience!

We’ve also gotten to see two glaciers so far! We saw Perito Moreno Glacier in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in Argentina and Glacier Grey in Torres del Paine! Those are only a few of the many experiences we’ve had so far!

I’ve absolutely loved my SFS Chile experience so far! I’ve made so many great friends, traveled across Patagonia, and learned boatloads with the best professors and staff. It’s been the adventure of a lifetime and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the semester brings!

Written by Erin O’Donovan, College of the Holy Cross

SFS Chile Spring 2024, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

Glacier Grey, Torres del Paine

Karukinka, Tierra del Fuego

King Penguins, Parque Pinguino Rey

Interested in the SFS Center for Climate Studies? Click here to understand why the Center is located there, explore ongoing research, and discover our collaboration with the community of Puerto Natales.

My time in Chile with SFS has allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone while continuing to do the things I enjoy and exploring the things I’m curious about.

There’s something about traveling to a new country on your own that makes you put on your “big girl” pants and strike a power pose. It’s intimidating to go somewhere new with people you’ve never met and know that life goes on without you in the place that you leave behind. Everyone tells you how much fun you’re going to have and how much you’re going to learn, but those words don’t fully sink in until you’ve lived your first few weeks in that new place and taken a dive into your new community.

Despite the warm welcome to the center, my first few days in Chile were difficult, as I watched friends have fun at school and my family gather at home, and I tried to understand the ways in which the program operated. While I missed home, I had to give myself the time and space to comprehend that the experience I was having in Southern Patagonia was unlike anything I would have the chance to do again. Those first days were long, but suddenly it’s time for me to go back to the States. It’s hard to say goodbye, but it’s time for me to return home with me the lessons I have learned abroad.

My experiences in Chile will inform my next steps on both small and large scales. In the immediate sense, I am returning with my new knowledge learned in the field, a desire to turn to the Great Outdoors as my classroom, and a stronger ability to not sweat all the small stuff. In the future, I hope to explore other research projects, as my Directed Research project unlocked new and exciting interests. I am eager to share the importance of environmental and experiential education with others.

My time in Chile with SFS has allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone while continuing to do the things I enjoy and exploring the things I’m curious about. It has been a pleasure to learn from a culture so different from my own – one that values community over individuals, one that lives simply, and one that turns the natural world into their playground.

Photo of Betsy Overstrum.

To the future SFS Chile Students: Put on your “big girl” pants. They may look more like waders… nonetheless they will transform your way of thinking and shape your experience for the better. Take time in smaller increments; the semester will be over before you know it. Be present where your feet are in each moment; you will never have this opportunity again, and you don’t want to miss anything. Do everything you can; leave with no regrets. Love unapologetically; love the places you go, the things you learn, and the people you’re with.

To the city of Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park, el Chaltén, and all of the places I have had the pleasure of exploring in wonderful company during the past three and a half months: The things you have taught me about myself and the world have helped shape me into a better version of myself. For that, I am grateful.

To the Fall 2022 cohort, SFS Chile professors, SFS Chile faculty members, and my family, friends, and Hamilton support network: Thank you. Your knowledge, generosity, and interest have made this semester one to remember.

Photo of the Sunset over Torres del Paine National Park during ecology data collection, taken by Betsy Overstrum.

Southern Patagonia will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I will take with me the lessons I have learned and memories I have made over the course of this amazing semester abroad.

Betsy Overstrum
Hamilton College ‘24

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Want to read more about our SFS Chile Center? Click here to learn why we’re based there, our environmental research focus, how we connect and support the local community.

With the wind, the water would ripple, and so would the rice stalks… I will never forget the image of the green waves making their way across the valley.

Photo of Paro on our way back to the SFS Center. Shows the view of the rice fields with the mountainous background.

I didn’t know what to expect when I first arrived in Bhutan. In all my research, I never read anything that explained to me how I would feel entering Bhutan. Flying into Bhutan, you felt like the wings of the plane would touch the mountain peaks. Instantly I noticed the kindness in each person, the boldness of the animals, and the wildness of the mountain forests. The SFS center, which the students this summer called ‘the Palace’, sits on a hill overlooking the town of Paro. Some elements of Paro felt very familiar to me; children getting out of school, store clerks sweeping their steps, teenagers with their Nikes, ice cream scoops on hot days. Yet, all of this was mixed with things I had never seen before. Cows and horses walking down the main street in line with the cars, chilies drying in patches on the sidewalk, monks getting their groceries, dozens of dogs strolling across the street like children, and the presence of rice fields sprawled out in every direction with towering mountains swallowing up the city.

Looking down from the Palace, the rice looked like overgrown fields that I am used to seeing at home but brighter. When the wind blew this whole picture changed, as the fields became fluid and moved like water. I was in Bhutan during the rice growing season, so the rice stalks were about 10 inches out of the water. With the wind, the water would ripple, and so would the rice stalks. When I watched this, I would think of a green ocean. I will never forget the image of the green waves making their way across the valley.

One of my favorite parts of this program was participating in homestays during our excursions. Just outside of Punakha, we stayed with a lovely couple that opened their home to our entire group, and in the valley of Phobjikha, I was able to stay with four other students with a woman and her grandson. In Punakha, the family allowed us to go into one of their rice paddies to learn how to plant rice, a very diligent task. Waking up in the morning with a steaming bowl of rice, I began to understand how much effort was done to get this rice on the table. I could look outside the window and see where the rice came from, where it dried, and the kitchen they prepared it in. At home, I never felt a connection between myself and the food that I ate. Since this experience, I often think about the process that it took for the food to get on my table, and I try to be more thankful for the labor that is often not seen.

Homestay family’s rice patties outside Punakha. Photo taken by Emma Gellman.

We were also able to visit the Bhutanese Agricultural Society in Bajo. Here, we learned how Bhutan is working towards a completely organic agricultural system. I saw how dedicated they were to use every piece of rice to help with food production and eliminate waste. I couldn’t help but imagine how much food waste I participate in at home, and I started to think of ways that I could adopt some of what I was learning in my daily life.

While I have spoken a lot about rice, the best experience that I had during my summer was my directed research. I was in a team of three girls and our professor studying phytodiversity along an altitudinal and anthropogenic disturbance gradient. The hike up to Bumdra (an area high above Tiger’s Nest) was one of the most difficult day hikes I have ever done, but it was the most rewarding. Our research took three days which consisted of laughing, counting, measuring, and finding the best spot for our lunch breaks (rice included). I feel so incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to aid in Dr. Purna Chhetri’s research.

Photo with Dr. Purna Chhetri during directed research in Bumndra.

Now as I sit here finishing this blog, I have caught myself again staring at the green waves of rice moving towards the mountains. The Palace may not have the best Wi-Fi, but it sure does have a once-in-a-lifetime view of the beautiful nature and culture of Bhutan.

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Curious about the SFS Bhutan Center? Click here to read about why we’re based there, our environmental research focus, how we support the local community, and even take a tour of the Center.

 
 
 
 

Photo of our rice planting lesson.

Photo of me from our day trip to Tiger’s Nest.

Choose the places you stay and travel to carefully, keeping in mind ways to direct money towards local people…

During our semester at SFS Cambodia, my classmates and I have learned about the impact of tourism on the country’s economy, livelihoods, and environment. With over six million international tourists visiting Cambodia in 2019, one can easily imagine how tourists shape the daily lives and opportunities of local people, particularly in our host city, Siem Reap. As the tourism center of Cambodia, Siem Reap boasts convenient access to the Angkor temples—an iconic symbol of Cambodian nationality and a primary attraction of foreign visitors—just a 15-minute tuktuk ride away. In this city, we can see the role of tourist dollars, and the sudden changes brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, up close.

Yet, we must also analyze how tourism, in addition to an important source of income, can be problematic in its both ecological and cultural impacts. Firstly, masses of tourists have brought sudden, intense pressure on local resources and waste management systems, sometimes causing acute ecological damage and increasing demand for logging and land clearing (Gaughen et. al., 2008). Heavily trafficked sites like Phnom Kulen, according to local interviews, primarily blame tourists for the unmanageable buildup of plastic waste. From a cultural lens, tourist guidebooks will simplify Cambodia’s complex society and history into narrow, marketable labels like “authentic,” “affordable,” and “tragic,” appealing to Western fantasies of exotic discovery rooted in colonialism (Tegelberg, 2010). Further, an emphasis on the glory of the ancient Angkor temples, with minimal regard for current Khmer cultural practices, suggests that modern Cambodians have somehow lost their previously high culture—a harmful narrative sparked by the French protectorate (Tegelberg, 2010). Even the economic benefit of tourism, which made up 10 percent of GDP growth in 2019, is shared too little with ordinary Cambodians (Komar, 2021). For every tourism dollar spent, locals only receive 20 cents of revenue, most funds are hoarded by airlines, large-scale resorts and hotels, and tour companies (Tegelberg, 2010).

The destructive nature of tourism follows neocolonial trends seen in many other industries, where non-Western countries remain in an economically and politically subservient position to the West, having little choice but to participate in disadvantageous trade relationships and sacrifice natural resources for little material benefit. These relationships mimic the role of colonies in Western empires, producing cheap raw materials with low-paid or slave labor to enrich manufacturing centers of the West. Is tourism yet another commodity that wealthy colonial powers extract from places like Cambodia, underpaying local people for a product’s value and perpetuating their low position in the global pecking order?

Many have tried to address this inherently problematic reality with strategies like ecotourism, emphasizing socially responsible, sustainable strategies for engaging tourists with nature and conservation. Community-based ecotourism (CBET) sites are also growing in numbers, with over 56 projects throughout Cambodia today (Komar, 2021). CBET aims to directly involve local stakeholders in projects, rather than merely NGOs and expatriates, and empower these stakeholders with decision-making and leadership roles. However, after visiting numerous ecotourism and CBET sites in Northern and Eastern Cambodia, we have found very few to be both economically viable and socially just. The limited flow of visitors post-pandemic has caused several sites to make virtually no income in the last two years. Other projects have land conflicts with local communities, who often feel robbed of the occupied land or unsatisfied with the benefits of ecotourism schemes. Even the concept of CBET is inherently flawed, as it presumes that locals must rely on NGO presence and expertise to be “empowered” into leadership, rather than being capable of organizing on their own. In short, ecotourism and CBET are far from perfect solutions to the problem.

(Rice fields and surrounding landscape at Koh Pdao village, a community-based ecotourism site in Kratié Province. Photo Credit: Zoe Friese).

So, what is the solution then? If we knew, I wouldn’t be writing this blog post, and Cambodian tourism would be a much more just, equitable industry. There is no easy way to rid tourism of its colonial entanglements. This reality complicates a tourist’s ability to travel responsibly—is the most responsible thing to simply stay at home? Surely, this cannot be the case.

I believe that as individuals, we can take steps to ensure that we avoid the trap of colonial fantasies and resource exploitation while abroad. First, honestly assess your reasons for traveling abroad. Are you ready to meaningfully engage in a cultural exchange with local people, learning about nuanced histories and difficult political problems? Think about your previously held assumptions of Cambodia and what may have influenced those assumptions — what attracts you there, and why? In addition, choose the places you stay and travel to carefully, keeping in mind ways to direct money towards local people instead of multinational corporations. Finally, monitor your environmental footprint, and reduce waste where you can. When done right, tourism can expand our worldviews, facilitate cross-cultural understandings, and inspire meaningful change. But it requires moving beyond your typical guidebooks and tourist attractions towards critical thinking, openminded discourse, and awareness of your role in communities.

References

Gaughan, A. E., Binford, M.W., & Southworth, J. (2008). Tourism, forest conversion, and land transformations in the Angkor basin, Cambodia. Applied Geography, 29(2), 212- 223.

Komar, K., Pichdara, L., & Sodavy, N. (2021, September). Natural Resource Governance: Challenges and Potentials of Community-Based Ecotourism in Livelihood Improvement: A Case Study of Preah Nimith CBET, Cambodia. Cambodia Development Resource Institute.

Tegelberg, M. (2010). Hidden sights: Tourism, representation and Lonely Planet Cambodia. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 13, 491-509.

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Want to read more about our SFS Cambodia Center? Click here to learn why we’re based there, our environmental research focus, how we connect and support the local community.

SFS will grant you the opportunity to go out in the community and speak with the locals, participate in volunteer programs, and snorkel in the beautiful waters of the Atlantic. The onus is on you to take advantage of the opportunities you have.

Dear Future student,

Have you ever completed a midterm exam in the forest? SFS Tropical Island Biodiversity grants students the opportunity to take learning outside the 4 walls of a classroom and into the field. Your classroom will no longer be in an atmosphere where your professor facilitates a boring lecture. Rather, sometimes your class will be in the forest, at a hotel, or even on the vacation island of Zapatillas! Don’t worry, you will be learning! The activities students participate in are selected with the intention of improving understanding in both natural and social sciences.

Each day of your SFS experience will be filled with some sort of adventure. Spending much of your time with your cohort will foster close connections – many that will last after the completion of the program. Some of my most memorable experiences took place with my peers. Whether it be discussing the lovely rats in the New York subway system, singing songs at the top of our lungs to and from field trips, visiting Bocas town, interacting with the locals, riding in taxis… the list goes on. You will have a great time with your cohort.

During your journey, you will see breathtaking sights. If possible, bring a camera to document your experiences. You don’t have to leave campus to observe magnificent wildlife. There are monkeys climbing in the trees above the pool, iguanas hanging out next to the classroom, and lizards falling from the ceiling!

The most important piece of advice I will give you is to make the experience uniquely YOURS. SFS will grant you the opportunity to go out in the community and speak with the locals, participate in volunteer programs, snorkel in the beautiful waters of the Atlantic and more. The onus is on you to take advantage of the opportunities you have. If you would like more time in the water, head over to Panama diving school and register to get your scuba diving certification. If you would like to practice more Spanish, challenge yourself and try to engage with the locals using your Spanish skills. This is your chance to explore life outside the classroom. Take chances to appreciate what Bocas has to offer and enjoy!

Ianna Gilbert
Class of 2024

(Zapatillas Dos Island – Photo by Ianna Gilbert)

(Coral and sponges present in the Atlantic Ocean – Photo by Ianna Gilbert)

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Curious about the SFS Panama Center? Click here to read about why we’re based there, our environmental research focus, how we connect and support the local community, and even take a tour of the Center.

If you follow our advice, you will have room in your luggage for the most essential item: the game of Uno…

Hello! This one is for our fellow anxious packers!

We are Emma and Lucy; students in the SFS Cambodia Fall 2022 semester. We instantly bonded when we moved into our room, realizing we both completely overpacked for the semester. You would think we would’ve packed a reasonable amount of clothes for our trip to Cambodia, like our sensible classmates, but no, we are chronic over packers. We both struggled to carry our bags in the airport because we each checked two full suitcases and had two carry-on items…

Currently, we are on our long trip, sitting in a hotel room in Mondulkiri with piles of clothes surrounding us, contemplating how we got here. Multiple changes of clothes per day? We got it. Any type of medication or toiletry product? We got it. We even brought stuff we’ve never used at the Center, just in case. In this moment of realization, we thought it could be beneficial to advise future SFS students on what to bring and what not to bring.

For starters, pack fewer clothes than you think you will need. Siem Reap and all the amazing places you will visit during this program have an abundance of wonderful shirts, skirts, and pants that are affordable (especially if you learn how to bargain in Khmer). You will thank us later for having some extra room in your suitcase for souvenirs. However, please DO NOT apply this rule to field clothes. Field work is some of the most fun you’ll ever have. You will be smelly, wet, and HOT in the humid jungles of Cambodia. So, make sure you pack extra socks and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (we’ve learned that sink laundry is a life saver). Finally, pack some long workout shorts, even if you think it’s not stylish you will appreciate it when you learn kickboxing with Tim or running a marathon at Angkor Wat.

(Wearing our stinky field clothes in the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary after waking up at 4am to see Gibbons.)

If you follow our advice, you will have room in your luggage for the most essential item: the game of Uno. It is all you will need to have a great time with your new friends. Even if you are smelly from not having an extra change of clothes, you can laugh it off over a game of Uno. Nobody cares what you smell like when you just got skipped four turns in a row and must take twenty cards (…Emma).

(The two of us on Tonle Sap Lake, shoeless per usual…)

We know how stressful it is to pack for a three-and-a-half-month trip, but you don’t have to worry. You should focus on making new friends, rolling with the punches of field work, and living in a foreign country.

Have fun and we wish you pack lighter luck than us!

Lucy & Emma

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Curious about the SFS Cambodia Center? Click here to read about why we’re based there, our environmental research focus, how we connect and support the local community, and even take a tour of the Center.