Island Conservation and Sustainability Management (3cr.)
You are invited to experience the fullness of island culture, while studying within walking distance to the ocean. Join O’Neill on the Caribbean island of Bonaire for two weeks this summer to explore island conservation and sustainability. This program is designed to explore and learn about the islands diverse ecosystems and gaining valuable field research experience by participating in the islands many ongoing conservation and sustainability programs.
Experiences you will have during the Caribbean program
Learn more about the O’Neill in the Caribbean program
2025 dates coming soon!
For reference, 2024 program dates were: May 4 - 18, 2024
Island Conservation and Sustainability Management (3cr.)
Program Directors: Stephen Glaholt
O’Neill in the Caribbean is a three-credit course (E482/E582), which seeks to discover how the entire Caribbean island of Bonaire is applying conservation and sustainability techniques to preserve the island’s rich diversity for future generations. One focus of the course will be on how island life has changed in recent years to become more eco-friendly. On the program, you will assist in flora and fauna diversity monitoring projects and will participate in ongoing management programs associated with migratory birds, coral, reef fish, and other organisms, to develop an understanding of the problems and solutions associated with island conservation and sustainability. By taking part in this program, you will gain valuable applied knowledge and research experience in field sampling and experimental design techniques while learning first-hand how conservation and sustainability practices are being implemented to protect and restore the islands terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
IU Bloomington Undergrads: See how this course counts towards your major/minor at O'Neill here.
- Learn about marine biology and island ecology in an open air classroom located within walking distance to the ocean
- Snorkel Bonaire’s pristine coral reefs and experience its diverse fish communities
- Conduct fish and coral diversity, population, and health surveys
- Night snorkeling and tide pooling using black-lights to explore the colorful nocturnal species of the underwater world (Optional)
- Assist in migratory bird and bat population survey program
- Participate in the restoration efforts of the endangered Queen Conch
- Learn about the island's terrestrial and marine invasive species and the programs implemented to manage them (or develop and implement your own program!)
- Contribute directly to the conservation and research efforts to protect Bonaire’s diverse communities
You will stay in Kralendijk (the largest city on Bonaire). The accommodations will contain multiple rooms all with access to private bathrooms, kitchen facility, and Wi-Fi.
All O’Neill International programs are academic, credit-bearing courses that take place abroad. As such, your bursar will be charged two amounts for participation in this program:
- Program Fee for O’Neill in the Caribbean (made in two payments)
- Tuition for the course (3 credits of IU Bloomington tuition, rate based on your student status (res/non-res; grad/UG, etc))
2025 Program Fee: Will be finalized by November 1
For reference, the 2024 O'Neill in the Caribbean Program Fee was: $1,800
The Program Fee for this program includes:
- Lodging for 2 weeks on the Island of Bonaire
- Snorkel and dive equipment for all course-related water activities
- Site visits and guest speakers
- Cultural excursions
- Several meals
- International health insurance
The Program Fee will be charged to your IU Bloomington Bursar account in two installments:
- A $550 non-refundable pre-payment will be charged shortly after you confirm your participation in the program
- The remaining balance will be charged in March prior to departure
Tuition: 3 credits of IU-Bloomington tuition
Students will pay for 3 credit hours of tuition based on their student status (resident/non-resident, graduate/undergraduate, etc.) on the Bloomington campus. Note for students from other campuses: the tuition rates on the Bloomington campus may differ from your campus.
Additional Costs
Students will pay for their own flight to and from Bonaire, meals that are not included in the Program Fee, and other personal incidentals.
For a full breakdown of estimated cost, see the Caribbean fee sheet.
Scholarships
The O’Neill International Office offers several scholarships to support students studying abroad. The O’Neill International Equal Opportunity Scholarship is a need-based award available to help O'Neill students from IUB and IUI to be able to study abroad. Please visit our scholarship page for eligibility requirements and application deadlines. Other need and merit-based scholarships are available on a competitive basis. Students are encouraged to apply widely to all scholarships they are eligible for. Please email us at oio@iu.edu if you want help navigating different funding resources.
The course is intended for, but not limited to, students interested in conservation and sustainability management practices as well as marine biology and island ecology. All undergraduates and graduate students are encouraged to apply.
During the application period (November 1 - December 1) an "Apply Now" button will be available at the top of this page. You will need to submit the online application by 11:59pm on December 1.
Please review our detailed application instructions!
If you have any issues or questions throughout the application process, contact us via email: oio@iu.edu
People who don’t travel cannot have a global view, all they see is what’s in front of them.
— Martin Yan, Chinese chef, writer, and TV host