Chile/Patagonia

Course Name

ERM 499: Natural Resources in Chile/Patagonia

College of Agricultural Sciences - Environment Resource Management

About the Course

ERM 499 is an embedded course, meaning that a travel component has been "embedded into the course curriculum." This course focuses on natural resources, climate, and sustainability. Students will also cover other topics including water quality, air quality, and coastal ecosystems. All Penn State students are welcome to participate.

Fall Semester (1 credit): Students will complete 1 credit of the course in the fall where professors at Penn State, that are experts in these areas, guest lecture to prepare students for their learning that will take place in Chile.

Spring Semester (2 credits): While in-country students will explore the culture of Chile and explore the vast region of Patagonia. The course will meet on campus after traveling to debrief and present on what they learned. The time in country, as well as lectures and other assignments competed at Penn State will total an earned 3 credits.

This course focuses on natural resources, climate, and sustainability. Students will also cover other topics including water quality, air quality, and coastal ecosystems. All Penn State students are welcome to participate.

Tentative Itinerary

Chile, a long and narrow country spanning roughly 2,600 miles north to south, has three distinct hydrological regions that affect its environment, population, vegetation and natural resources. The dry northern regions, including the Atacama Desert, is of the driest places on Earth. The central regions are temperate and support the largest population centers of Santiago and Valparaíso, and the sparsely populated southern provinces receive large quantities of rain and snow. Our itinerary tentatively could include:

• Santiago
• Punta Arenas
• Puerto Natales
• Torres del Paine National Park
• Lago Grey Lake
• Grey Glacier
• Lakes Region and Puerto Montt
• Puerto Varas
• Osorno Volcano area
• Antofagasta
• Calama
• San Pedro de Atacama
• Codelco
• Tatio Geysers geothermal park
• Valley of the Moon in the Salt Mountain range
• Los Flamencos National Reserve

Approximate Expenses

• The cost is estimated to be $5900 for airfare, lodging, expeditions, and most meals.
• Study abroad scholarships are available.

Why Should I Participate?

Students will earn a Communications Selection for the ERM major, an INTAG minor course, experience with international travel, and learn about Patagonia's Natural Resources; the course is also designated as an IL on the degree audit. The time in South America, including lectures and assignments upon return will total an earned 2 credits. An additional pre-requisite fall 2019 course is worth 1 credit.

Patagonia is a great place to experience another culture, while learning about something within your area of study. This trip involves significant adventure components while exploring the untouched and pristine ecosystem of Patagonia.

How do I sign up?

Interested students should email Tammy Shannon, Academic Advising Coordinator and Course Instructor, Environmental Resource Management at: tmb5352@psu.edu. Decisions for the 2019 - 2020 course need to be made as soon as possible to complete application and enter in the class.

Eligibility

• Student from all colleges and majors at Penn State University are eligible to enroll.
• Students must be 18 years of age at the time of travel.
• Student participants must present a valid passport. Students who do not present a passport will not be permitted to travel.
• Students must be physically fit, interested in and able to hike.
• Student participants must have the ability to travel internationally. Accommodations for special circumstances will be made whenever possible.
• All payments must be made on time. Students who do not meet the deadlines will not be permitted to travel.

More Information or Application

Tammy Shannon: tmb5352@psu.edu