Requirements

College/School Eligibility:

  • Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Brooks School of Public Policy
  • Architecture, Art and Planning
  • Arts and Sciences
  • Bowers CIS
  • Engineering
  • Human Ecology
  • Industrial and Labor Relations
  • SC Johnson Business - Dyson
  • SC Johnson Business - Hotel

Class Year Eligibility:

  • First Year (undergrad)
  • Second Year (undergrad)
  • Third Year (undergrad)
  • Fourth Year + (undergrad)

Open to:

  • Cornell Undergraduate Students

GPA Requirements:

Minimum GPA: 2.75

Applications will be reviewed following the deadline. 

To enroll, you must be in good academic standing and have the demonstrated intellectual interest and personal maturity to participate in the program.

Physical Activity. Due to the nature of the area expect a moderate to high level of physical activity. While there will be some alternative options, several excursions will include hiking uphill and hiking through muddy tropical rainforest trails. 

Outdoor and Wilderness. Be comfortable with camping and outdoor activities. This course will involve field work in the Amazon at a remote research station. This means that there may be a wide range of terrain and weather that can involve rain, mud, or other natural environments. As well, there will be a variety of flora and fauna in sizes larger than you may be used to. Be sure to follow instructions of the guides and not touch things without explicit instruction. 

Personal Maturity. Traveling in a foreign country can be challenging, including but not limited to, travel disruptions, unexpected illnesses, and cultural differences that cause personal discomfort. You will be expected to handle situations with maturity and appropriateness, and follow the guidelines and protocols detailed by program leaders and the Office of Global Learning during predeparture.

High Elevation. The course will involve being and hiking at high elevations. This is an unavoidable component of the course especially since the starting point Quito is already one of the highest elevation cities in the world (9350 ft). Part of the course will take place in the Paramo which will hit elevations over 1000 ft, but accommodations can be made for less challenging hikes

Yellow Fever Vaccination. For travel in the Amazon, this vaccination will be mandatory. 

You must also have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the end date of travel and, if necessary, a visa. International students may have limitations based on visa status and short-term visa will require quick turnaround to meet winter travel.

Participants must be active matriculated undergraduate students at time of participation (i.e., not graduated). If you will not be an undergraduate student at time of participation, you are not eligible to apply.