Dominica Frequently Asked Questions
General Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to purchase books prior to departure?
What is required of the student academically?
Must I have a rabies shot?
How many credit hours?
What is the program like?
What are the accommodations like?
What are the sleeping arrangements?
What is the food like?
How is airfare arranged?
What are the dates and travel plans?
What field trips will I take?
What are some examples of group research projects?
What are some examples of individual research projects?
Do I need to purchase books prior to departure?
No, books and study materials are provided at the Archbold Tropical Research
and Education Center upon arrival in Springfield, Dominica.
What is required of the student academically?
Students are required to complete a group research project, an individual
research project and a required journal detailing their activities during the
program. During the spring semester, all students are required to attend a
weekly seminar in which students learn about the Dominican history and culture,
as well as Caribbean geography and tropical biology. Students are
introduced to the Dominican history and culture at the beginning of the
semester, and the remaining presentations are placed within this context.
Thus, the students have a good idea what to expect upon arrival in Dominica.
In addition, students are also required to attend a Study Abroad General
Orientation Workshop during the spring semester.
Must I have a rabies shot?
Only those students working with bats are required to have a series of three
rabies' shots. Students may get rabies' shots on campus at Beutel or
through their personal doctor. Check with your health insurance provider
to see if rabies' shots are covered.
How many credit hours?
This annual study abroad summer session allows TAMU students from all fields of study
to earn six course credits on an academically intensive program, while living
and learning in Dominica.
WFSC 300: Field Studies (3 hours)
WFSC 485: Wildlife Problems (1 hour)
WFSC 489: Special Topics:
Dominica Conservation (2 hours)
What is the program like?
Adventurous, outdoors, rugged, and FUN! Former students suggest you be
in good physical shape (for the hike to Middleham Falls!), enjoy outdoor
activities, and have an open mind to learn about the unique and vibrant culture
of Dominica. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!! This study abroad
program has run successfully for over 10 years and has rave reviews from former
students, who say this program was one of the best experiences of their lives
and that anyone who can go on this trip should without second thought!
What are the accommodations like?
Students and faculty will be housed at Springfield Plantation Guesthouse, a large early 20th
century plantation overlooking the Caribbean. The Springfield Plantation is
located 2000 ft. above sea level and is 25 minutes from the capitol, Roseau, and
Canefield Airport. Meals will be served at the Springfield Plantation
Guesthouse, which has housed island visitors since the early 1920s. Students
will conduct research at the John D. Archbold Tropical Research Center (ATRC)
located on site. The Center is located on the "old" Springfield Plantation
adjacent to the 17,000-acre Morne Trois Pitons National Park. The Plantation
and adjacent ATRC provide students access for studies of virgin tropical rain
forests as well as ample opportunities to assess the island's predominant slash
and burn agriculture.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
Open dormitory style, males and females separated.
What is the food like?
Meals consist of Dominican and Creole dishes prepared by Dominican
people at Springfield Plantation Guesthouse. The staff delights in explaining the significance of each dish
to the students. Please inform your Study Abroad Liaison if you have any
special dietary restrictions or food allergies.
How is airfare arranged?Your Study Abroad Liaison will secure a group rate for participants on the Dominica program. It
is strongly recommended that you travel to Dominica as a group for two reasons: 1) there are very few flights into Dominica and everyone is picked up
at the airport with the equipment and transported across the island (takes a couple of hours on windy roads) to the research station. If you do not arrive on
the same plane as your classmates, it will be costly for you get to the station (no taxis). 2) Each student will have to bring some equipment and books, etc
for the class. If everyone flies as a group, it can be packed together and assigned at one time. If you travel separately from the group, it is much
harder to try to work out what you need to take since a lot of the equipment has to be carefully balanced by weight.
What are the dates and travel plans?
Students will depart for Dominica from College
Station's Easterwood Airport. There will be a one-day layover in San Juan, Puerto
Rico each way (departing and return). Classes will begin the following day in Dominica.
Your professor will provide you with a detailed
program itinerary at the first seminar meeting during the spring semester.
What field trips will I take?
The field trips are designed to expose students to the
diversity of the environment in Dominica and the conservation issues associated
with the protection of these environments. Field trips include: hike to
Middleham Falls (montane rainforest), visit to Cabrits National Park (dry forest/historical
site), Syndicate Trail (rainforest), Trafalgar Falls, Roseau for Market Day and
church,
trip to Emerald Pool, Carib Territory, East Coast Beaches, hike to Boiling Lake (the 2nd largest boiling lake in the world).
What are some examples of group research projects?
*
Sea urchin density along a depth gradient at Rodney's Rock and Champagne
Bay, Dominica
* Comparison of Pool and Riffle Fauna in the Check Hall
River
* Anole density and biomass in Dominica
* Echolocation call sequences of the
Dominican bats Molossus molossus and Tadarida brasiliensis
* A field guide
to the reef fish of Tarou Point
* The effects of ecotourism on Dominica
*
Does management of the rainforest change bird composition
* Comparison of
beetle diversity between the canopy and ground in a secondary rainforest* The incidence of citrus blackfly on citrus growth in the wild and in banana
groves
What are some examples of individual research projects?
*
Dominican beach profiles and wave energy
* Analysis of the fisheries of Dominica* Territorial
behavior in Dominican land crabs Gecarcinus ruricola and Gecarcinus
lateralis
* Impact of culture and religion on modern forestry practices in
Dominica
* Frog density in the rainforest
* Traditional medical and herbal
approaches to diabetes
* Ant species diversity at different heights along the
tree Ficus insipida
* Vertical distribution of spiders in
various rainforest habitats
* Ecotourism as a determining factor of pollution
and litter in Dominica
