2^nd Ecology and Biodiversity field Workshop in Ecuador
2009
The theme of this year's workshop is:
“The Natural History and Medical Significance of Insects”

There are more kinds of insects than all other animals taken together, with over a million described species, most of which are found in the tropical regions of the world. This workshop will provide students with a basic introduction to entomology, including overviews of the collection, preparation and preservation of insects; external morphology; insect systematics; orders and major insect families; internal morphology and physiology; and insect behavior and ecology. Daily field trips and laboratory work will complement the lectures and provide ample opportunity to observe insect behavior, take photographs, and develop a class study collection. After establishing a foundation in basic entomology, , we will focus on specialized topics in insect ecology & biodiversity, and medical entomology. Most of the time will be spent at a facility in the Amazon Rainforest, The Yasuni National Park Research Station. The workshop will also include a short visit to a cloud forest on the western slopes of the Andes mountains.
The workshop language will be English and Ecuadorian staff will be available for translations.
 

A detailed itinerary with specific activities will be distributed ONLY to participants and will be announced in June 2008.

General description: After landing in Quito, Ecuador's capital, we will travel to the heart of the rain forest in the Upper Amazon Basin where we will visit the Catholic University of Ecuador’s Field Research Station in the Yasuni National Park and conduct activities in the rain forest. We will then return to Quito and cross the Andes mountains into the Coastal Region where we will visit and conduct observations of the insect fauna in a cloud forest. If time allows, we will visit the inter-Andean valleys, including the Otavalo Indian market, before returning to Quito.

• Program fee (~$1,500) + cost of 5 UG credits tuition or Non-credit fee (contact program director for non-credit information) + $150 administrative fee.
• Program fee and tuition will cover all participant's expenses in country (food, lodging, transportation, logistics, etc). Cost not covered include: souvenirs, entertainment, telephone and internet access charges, food while in route from USA to Quito to USA.
• Airline ticket cost (participants are responsible for arranging their own flight, see logistics page). Past participants have purchase tickets from different cities in the USA  to Quito from $450 to $850, depending on dates and airline.
• Beyond that, cash for souvenirs, etc. A backup credit card is a good idea in the event of unforeseen expenses. You can cash travelers checks in Quito, but are unlikely to be able to do so at most of our other destinations. Traveler’s checks are useless outside of the cities.
• Participants in more than one TDI Sponsored program in Ecuador during summer 2008 will receive a $200 discount in the program fee for one of them. For information about other opportunities visit the TDI Education Abroad page.  

Actions required

1. Attend information meetings (See announcements above) or participate in conference calls.
2. Send a two copies of the completed application from (under program write down: Entomology) to Office of International Programs OUCOM, 221A Grosvenor Hall, Athens OH 45701. Make the check to Tropical Disease Institute, Ohio University.
3. Students will be notified of the decision in two weeks after the receipt of their application materials.
4. A non refundable deposit will be required upon acceptance into the program. The deposit will be applied to the program costs and deducted from the participant’s bill:

OU - Participants will be given a deposit slip at the Office of International Programs OUCOM, 221A Grosvenor Hall, and will have to pay a non-refundable deposit of $500 to the Bursar's office (Chubb Hall). Cash, check or credit card payments accepted.

Non-OU Participants will be asked to mail non-refundable deposit of $500 to the Office of International Programs OUCOM, 221A Grosvenor Hall, Athens, OH 45701. Checks are payable to Ohio University.

5. E-mail a current picture showing your face as a jpg attachment to the program director. This picture will be used for the participants dossier.
6. Get passport (review expiration date)
7. Get vaccinations (Hudson Health Center or other health care provider - appointments usually required)
8. Final payment will be billed by Ohio University Prior to departure (Mid May to Early June).

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