Roatan, an island in Honduras, is just one of the many locations students can travel to through the study-abroad programs offered at SUNY Oswego. This opportunity allowed students to learn more about ways to address an ecological challenge while acquiring new skills.

Students who went to Honduras this summer were able to gain first-hand research on coral reef destruction and help plan ways for these crucial ecosystems to be restored. In the past, the trip would focus their research on dolphins with the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences. However, due to climate change, the focus has now shifted.

This specific program is faculty-led by Elizabeth A. Balko, who teaches for SUNY Oswego’s Biological Sciences Department. Balko has led students to Honduras for the past 15 years through the courses of International Study in Biology (BIO 394) and Global Cities (GLS 100). The courses are cross-listed. and there are no prerequisites or major requirements to be met to register for them. 

Before traveling, students were required to complete the asynchronous course in the spring semester. Their assignments, message boards and communication with Balko would prepare them for their research. 

Becoming scuba certified was also a requirement before attending the trip, but some students were able to do so through SUNY Oswego’s Underwater Diving (PED 225) course previously offered in the fall and spring semesters. 

Along with their preparation, this year’s group would receive additional funding during their time through another SUNY institution, the University at Buffalo. The funds are in exchange for sharing the research collected over this trip through their Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Project Challenge, and allow SUNY Oswego students to have their own research boat; something that in years past was not affordable. 

The SDG led under Buffalo’s Experiential Learning Network (ELN), is designed to support an array of diverse curricular formats including study abroad, internships, project-based learning and research. It was also supported by the SUNY Innovative Instruction Technology Grant that helps annually with Buffalo’s ELN. 

Natural laboratory

Once reaching Honduras, students would start their research at the Roatan’s Institute for Marine Sciences, using their classrooms, labs and lecture halls – along with going out in the water by staying in the research boat or diving under to examine the coral reefs more closely. 

While out in the ocean, tasks included student participation in fish counts that would assess the population indicator species and take on maintenance to the coral nursery. 

The trip consisted of countless hours of research that one can see through some of the students’ story maps – collaborative snapshots that provide geographical information and contextual research on ecological conditions. 

But the opportunity to make memories was enriching as well.

“We spent a lot of time bonding on this trip,” said Danielle Bellantoni, a SUNY Oswego student who attended the trip and created the Preserving Culture story map. “We ate every meal together, bunked together, even enjoying time at the pool or the ocean.” 

During their free time from research, students also went to an animal sanctuary where they got to hold animals such as sloths, took part in snorkeling, and swam with dolphins.

The bonding experience also was important to other students on the trip, like Sheila Sicilia, who created the Coral Reef Health story map. Sicilia works for SUNY Oswego as a programmer and analyst, but took this course because she wanted to expand her knowledge. However, she was a little nervous given her age.

Although Sicilia is older than her other classmates, she would learn that age doesn’t always play a role in learning and she was able to make memories and feel welcomed by everyone. The trip has made her want to participate in another study abroad program in the future and she recommends that everyone should try it out; even if it isn’t in their major or career field. 

Students interested in traveling to Honduras in 2025 with Balko should check back on the Faculty-Led Programs Study Abroad page under quarter four in the coming months. However, there are many other programs students can currently look into ranging from different countries, research, and experiences on SUNY Oswego’s Education Abroad page. 

Throughout the year, students can gain experience and knowledge across the globe by taking part in one of these trips, some range from a week while others can be up to a year.

“Students should take on this experience to understand the world, get out of their comfort zone, and challenge themselves,” said Joshua McKeown, SUNY Oswego’s associate provost for international education and programs.

McKeown himself was a study abroad student who when attending Syracuse University went abroad for a whole year to Madrid, Spain. He says the trip changed his life.

While these trips can be full of learning, gaining experience and memories, organizers also realize financing them can be a challenge. Depending on the time of when the course would be or credit, financial aid could cover some of the cost. However, McKeown recommends also looking into scholarships. Students can find scholarships and information on how to apply for them through the SUNY Oswego’s Scholarships page.

Below are the story maps created through this past summer’s research in Honduras:

–- Written by Leila LaJoie of the Class of 2024