Hundreds of miles off the coast of South America sea lions, red-footed boobies and waved albatross inhabit a place many people have seen only in nature magazines.

Thirty-nine students traveled to the Galapagos Islands on a May Seminar led by biology professor Dr. Ron Nellermoe.

May Seminars are the college's flagship study-abroad programs. Students take a pre seminar class during second semester before embarking in May.

“It was amazing to see animals I had only seen in the zoo in their natural environment,” says Kelly Schuette ’07. “Also, the size of the fawn and flora in the forest was huge. I never thought leaves could be as tall as humans.”

For many participants the month-long seminar didn’t seem like enough time to see everything around them.

This new seminar to the Galapagos Islands also traveled to Ecuador and Peru visiting ancient ruins and unique ecosystems.

"There were so many experiences packed into such a short time," says seminar participant Chelsea Kline '07. "In addition to gaining a greater appreciation for biology and the wonders of the natural world around me, I got a taste of Ecuadorian and Peuvian culture and history."

The group visited the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. They also spent a day in the cloud forest and snorkeled in the tropics. For Kline all the activities were highlights, but visiting the islands was a thrill.

"Seeing the Galapagos was a childhood dream of mine," she says "Being that close to the blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, sea lions and frigate birds was like jumping inside a National Geographic."

Kline says she learned a great deal about responsible ecotourism on the trip and the way individuals can make a difference. "Everywhere I go now, I pay attention to the plants and animals in the ecosystems around me, and I hope that I become a more conservation-minded individual."

Galapagos Islands May Seminar Photo Gallery

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