{"id":1970,"date":"2026-02-03T17:40:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T17:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/?page_id=1970"},"modified":"2026-04-22T14:00:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T14:00:53","slug":"puerto-rico-study-tour","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/puerto-rico-study-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"Puerto Rico Study Tour"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-1970\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-1970-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1970-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1970-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\"><strong>Puerto Rico<\/strong> Trip<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1970-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1970-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1970-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-c67d20f9f743-1970\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/02\/alex-mnatsakanov-x68y-jQoXNc-unsplash-scaled-1.jpg\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/02\/alex-mnatsakanov-x68y-jQoXNc-unsplash-scaled-1.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/02\/alex-mnatsakanov-x68y-jQoXNc-unsplash-scaled-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/02\/alex-mnatsakanov-x68y-jQoXNc-unsplash-scaled-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/02\/alex-mnatsakanov-x68y-jQoXNc-unsplash-scaled-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/02\/alex-mnatsakanov-x68y-jQoXNc-unsplash-scaled-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" alt=\"A tropical beach with golden sand, palm trees, and gentle waves under a partly cloudy sky with green mountains in the background.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-1970-1-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1970-1-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Pre-Requisites<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<ul>\n<li>Minimum GPA: 2.5<\/li>\n<li>Judicial Check<\/li>\n<li>Academic Conduct Review<\/li>\n<li>Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors.<\/li>\n<li>Students must be enrolled in either BIOL 380 or ENST 285 during the Spring 2026 semester. All BIOL 380 students are required to have passed POB I (BIOL 105) and POB II (BIOL 106) with a C or better. ENST 285 students are required to have passed ENST 100 with a C or better.<\/li>\n<li>Transfer credits acceptable for pre-requisites.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1970-1-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">About the program<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<ul>\n<li>Study biodiversity and conservation throughout the beautiful island of Puerto Rico<\/li>\n<li>Visit historical cities, rainforests, mangroves, bioluminescent bays, and more<\/li>\n<li>No Spanish language required (though it\u2019s helpful)<\/li>\n<li>No passport needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-1970-1-2\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1970-1-2-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Dates and Important Links<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<ul>\n<li>Spring 2026 Dates: March 14-21, 2026<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Deadline: Apply on<a href=\"http:\/\/smcm.via-trm.com\/program_brochure\/24018\"> Via TRM!<\/a>\u00a0 by October 1st, 2025<\/li>\n<li>Please note: This program is currently under review for approval. Applicants will be informed about official approval for 2026 before Spring Registration Period.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1970-1-2-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Costs<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<ul>\n<li>Estimated Program Cost: $3,600<\/li>\n<li>The cost includes airfare, accommodations, excursions, international health insurance, some meals, and more.<\/li>\n<li>This program fee does not include tuition<\/li>\n<li>Students must enroll in the associated Spring course separately, as part of their Spring course load.<\/li>\n<li>Students can choose to enroll in Tropical Biology (BIOL380) or Conservation &amp; Development (ENST 285)<\/li>\n<li>Please inquire with the OIE about costs and available aid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1970-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1970-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1970-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-gold-buttons panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"6\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-gold-buttons so-widget-smcm-gold-buttons-default-d75171398898-1970\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><nav class=\"smcm-gold-buttons\"><ul><li><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"#about\"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-info\"><\/i>About The Program<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-down smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-item\"><a href=\"#academic \"><div class=\"smcm-gb-label-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-book\"><\/i>Academics<\/div><div class=\"smcm-gb-icon-wrapper\"><i class=\"fa-solid fa-angles-down smcm-gb-linktype\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1970-3\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div id=\"about\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-1970-3\" ><div id=\"pgc-1970-3-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1970-3-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\"><strong>About the Programs<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1970-3-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"8\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Experience the culture of Puerto Rico while being taught by Professors Lorena Torres-Martinez and Parisa Rinaldi. Explore the history and beaches of San Juan, the rainforest in El Yunque, mangroves, bioluminescent bays, farms, and more.<\/p>\n<p>This study tour will introduce students to biodiversity and conservation approaches in tropical ecosystems, as well as critical perspectives on the colonial history of conservation and indigenous voices shaping conservation and development futures. While in Puerto Rico, students will travel to different natural forests and preserves, and visit coastal coral and mangrove restoration projects, as well as agro-ecological projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-1970-3-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1970-3-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"9\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-113ccd71f3e6-1970\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/02\/placeholder-image-gray-16x9-1.png\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/02\/placeholder-image-gray-16x9-1.png 640w, https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/app\/uploads\/sites\/167\/2026\/02\/placeholder-image-gray-16x9-1-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" alt=\"Placeholder image icon showing a generic landscape with mountains and a sun, framed by a grey border, often used when an image fails to load.\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1970-4\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div id=\"academic\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-1970-4\" ><div id=\"pgc-1970-4-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1970-4-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-title panel-first-child\" data-index=\"10\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-title so-widget-smcm-title-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"smcm-section-title navy\" style=\"\"><strong>Academics<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1970-4-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"11\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>This study tour is an embedded part of a spring course of students\u2019 choice: either Tropical Biology or Conservation &amp; Development. Please note that all students must register for at least one of these courses and commit to the study tour (and associated program fee) to participate in the course and its Spring Break 2026 Puerto Rico Study Tour. Students will choose to register for a spring semester course in Conservation and Development (ENST 285) or Tropical Biology (BIOL 380). These course sections will join together for the travel component of the course over Spring Break in 2026.<br \/>\nTropical Biology introduces students to the physical, chemical and biological characteristics and processes of a range of tropical environments, such as rain, dry tropical forests, and coastal mangrove, using Neotropical ecosystems in Puerto Rico as primary examples. Emphasis will be placed upon the identification of tropical biota, ecological interactions within tropical communities, and human impacts on tropical ecosystems. The laboratory component will be a field trip in Puerto Rico over the spring break. Students are required to commit to the field trip.<\/p>\n<p>Conservation &amp; Development explores the intersections of global biodiversity conservation and development. Through interactive lectures, discussions, and a week-long field visit to conservation and community development sites in Puerto Rico, participants will critically analyze the foundations of conservation practices, current international frameworks, and emerging alternatives that value the unique contributions of indigenous peoples and worldviews. This course is offered concurrently with tropical biology, offering students a multidisciplinary perspective and global focus on tropical biodiversity and conservation imperatives. Students will complete readings, participate in class discussions, and engage in a series of excursions that will be recorded through fieldnotes and culminate in a final written report.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1970-5\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-1970-5\" ><div id=\"pgc-1970-5-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1970-5-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"12\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/ie\/ways-to-study-abroad\/course-equivalencies\/\">Course Equivalencies<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-1970-5-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1970-5-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"13\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/12uIbVWUDXLLTnwcsEFlFUDKD74vjglE8\/edit?usp=drive_web&amp;ouid=111798787772029324148&amp;rtpof=true\"target=\"_blank\">Study Abroad Budget<i class=\"fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square\" style=\"color: #e9e9e9;\"><\/i><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1970-6\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1970-6-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1970-6-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_smcm-button panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"14\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-smcm-button so-widget-smcm-button-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"smcm-cta-container\"><a class=\"smcm-cta-button red\" style=\"max-width: 100%; width: 100%;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/ie\/ways-to-study-abroad\/transfer-credit-policy\/\">Transfer Credit Policy<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Minimum GPA: 2.5 Judicial Check Academic Conduct Review Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students must be enrolled in either BIOL 380 or ENST 285 during the Spring 2026 semester. All BIOL 380 students are required to have passed POB I (BIOL 105) and POB II (BIOL 106) with a C or better. ENST 285<a class=\"tribe-events-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/puerto-rico-study-tour\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" > Find out more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":258,"featured_media":1786,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"full-width-content","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-1970","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"entry"},"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1970","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/258"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1970"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1970\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1972,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1970\/revisions\/1972"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smcm.edu\/international-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}